Asthma

Asthma is among the most common childhood health issues and affects many kids in and around Naperville, Illinois. The team of pediatric specialists at Millennium Pediatrics offers top-quality diagnostic and treatment services for asthma and all other childhood health concerns. When you’re ready to get started, call the office to book a visit or schedule online in just a few clicks.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a condition that often develops in childhood, and can complicate your child’s daily routines and require pediatric care. 

A chronic health condition, asthma is characterized by narrowed airways. As a result, kids can’t always take in sufficient air, which creates breathing difficulties. Asthma can range in severity from barely noticeable to severe. Often associated with asthma are allergies, which develop when a child’s immune system mistakenly launches an attack after exposure to a substance not typically harmful to humans. 

Researchers find a link between asthma and allergies, so kids diagnosed with one condition have an elevated risk of the other. 

What are some signs my child might have asthma?

Knowing what to look for can help parents determine when to seek help for their child. While all kids will experience occasional bouts of the symptoms listed below, kids with asthma will struggle with these symptoms frequently. 

Some symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing sounds while breathing
• Chest tightness
• Coughing that often worsens at night
• Frequent chest colds

Some children may frequently feel fatigued, develop dark circles under their eyes, and become irritable due to the impact of asthma and its symptoms. Call Millennium Pediatrics to schedule a diagnostic workup if you notice any of these changes in your child. The practice works with a highly sophisticated third-party group that will help to analyze your child’s labs and ensure an accurate diagnosis.  

Can kids with asthma live normal, active lives?

With the proper treatment, the symptoms of asthma can be controlled. Kids with this condition can live active and healthy lives and enjoy the same activities as their peers. 

Diagnosing asthma is the first step. Once diagnosed, your child’s provider can work with you directly to develop an effective treatment plan. Numerous medications can help open a child’s airway and enhance breathing function. Your child might need an inhaler to deliver immediate relief or more long-term medications to enhance daily breathing function. 

Treating asthma is an ongoing process, one that often requires a period of trial and error. When you’re ready to find a caring and compassionate pediatrician to partner with, call or click to book your visit.