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Childhood Asthma
Asthma is the most common serious disease among children. Nine million children in the United States have asthma.
Its primary cause is an inflammation of the airways in the lungs. This inflammation makes the airways smaller, which makes it more difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs.
Signs that your child might have asthma include:
- Coughing
- A wheezing or a whistling sound when your child exhales.
- Shortness of breath or rapid breathing.
- Chest tightness.
Many children with asthma have "allergic asthma," which means that allergens -- like dust mites, mold, animal dander, pollen and cockroaches -- make their symptoms worse.
Asthma is a serious disease, but it is a disease that can be well managed. With help from an allergist/immunologist and from parents and caregivers, children with asthma can lead lives very similar to those of their friends who don't have asthma.
If you think your child might have asthma, the first step is talking to a doctor. An allergist/immunologist (a kind of doctor who has special knowledge of asthma and allergies) can help develop a treatment plan to deal with your child's asthma. To find an allergist/immunologist near you, use the AAAAI Physician Referral Directory.
- More Information about Childhood Asthma
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