Asthma Treatment & Diagnoses in Brighton, CO

Childhood Asthma

The excellent seven-person staff of doctors at Premier Pediatrics in Brighton and Commerce City, CO, are ready to schedule an appointment regarding questions about your child and asthma. Our doctors are here today to talk about asthma in children.

Asthma

Asthma develops from a narrowing in the airways of the lungs due to repeated inflammation. This inflammation can create difficulty in the airways, making it harder to move air in and out of the lungs.

Exposure to harsh environmental chemicals such as cigarette smoke at a young age can lead to asthma. Also, the risk of asthma increases if a birth parent has a history of asthma or viral infection contracted at a young age.

It is difficult to diagnose a young child with asthma before the age of 6 when they can sit for a Spirometer test. Parents can discuss with their child's doctor any repeated signs and symptoms of suspected asthma, such as:

• Persistent dry cough
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Symptoms are worse when awakening or at bedtime.

Severe symptoms include blue-tinged lips, rapid heart rate, confusion that isn't normal, and fatigue. With these signs and symptoms, it is best to seek emergency medical attention.

Common triggers to be aware of are pollen, mold, dust, cold, damp air, strenuous activity, stress, infections, and poor air quality. Anything that can be breathed into the lungs that is harsh can cause an asthma attack.

An asthma attack is when your child may start coughing with complaints of chest tightness like there is a weight on their chest. An attack can feel like they are breathing air through a small straw or like the air is being forced out of the lungs.

The doctors at Premier Pediatrics in Brighton and Commerce City, CO, can help parents with asthmatic children come up with a treatment plan. An asthma action plan will outline your child's asthma treatment by how your child feels then and what steps to take to keep their asthma under control.

An example of an action plan may state that your child needs an extra inhaler dose if the parent notices increased coughing or wheezing. A good treatment plan and parents aware of their child's asthma symptoms can help their child's asthma stay well controlled with good airways in their child's lungs. Helping your child know what triggers can cause an asthma attack and what steps to take to minimize the attack can lead to well-controlled asthma and a healthier lifestyle.

Contact Us Today

If you suspect your child has asthma or if you have questions about your child's asthma, call our Brighton or Commerce City, CO offices today to schedule an appointment with our doctors at  (303) 655-1685