Recognize the warning signs of asthma early.

Asthma is the most common chronic disorder that affects children today; however, even though it’s common, we should not take this condition lightly. After all, asthma accounts for up to 1.8 million hospital visits yearly in children. Our Clarksburg and Montgomery Village, MD, pediatricians Dr. Armina Rahman, Dr. Hershita Raheja, Dr. Jacqueline Douge, Dr. Sehar Maruf, Dr. LeAnne Miller, and Dr. Maria Yoon believe that knowledge is power, so knowing what to look out for when it comes to signs of asthma means that children are more likely to get the care they need right away.

Could My Child Have Asthma?

There are some telltale signs to observe in your little one if you think they could have asthma. The most obvious sign is that they have difficulty breathing or catching their breath. You may find them gasping or lifting their necks to get more air. When breathing in, children with asthma often experience wheezing, a whistling sound in the chest.

Along with shortness of breath and wheezing, your child might complain of tightness in the chest. They may also have a persistent cough that worsens at night or after activity. If your child often seems overly tired after playing outside or after sports, it’s time to talk to our children’s doctor about whether or not your little one could be dealing with asthma. 

How Is Asthma Treated?

While there is no cure for asthma, many medications can effectively manage your child’s symptoms so they can go back to enjoying what matters most. The type and dosage of medication that our Clarksburg and Montgomery Village, MD, pediatricians will prescribe will depend on your child’s age and the severity of their symptoms.

Our team will prescribe a long-term inhalant medication for your child to use daily to reduce inflammation of the airways, keep symptoms at bay and reduce the chances of an attack.  Of course, attacks can still occur even with the proper use of controlled asthma medications. This is why your child will also be given a quick-relief medicine (a “rescue inhaler”), only to be used when they feel the first signs of an asthma attack. This medication will provide fast relief from inflammation and tightness in the chest. 

If you think your child might be dealing with asthma, it’s vital that you schedule an appointment with our Clarksburg and Montgomery Village, MD, pediatricians Dr. Armina Rahman, Dr. Hershita Raheja, Dr. Jacqueline Douge, Dr. Sehar Maruf, Dr. LeAnne Miller, and Dr. Maria Yoon as soon as possible so we can help them feel better quickly. Call Clarksburg Pediatrics at (301) 528-8181.