Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses of childhood. Approximately 6 million children in the United States have asthma. At Pediatric Partners, our goal is to keep your child’s symptoms to a minimum so that it does not interfere with daily life- such as their ability to go to school, play sports, or sleep.
We see children with asthma in the office regularly so that we can assess the frequency of symptoms, examine your child, and, if old enough, perform pulmonary function testing. If your child is using a daily controller medication, typically an inhaled steroid, we will see them in clinic every 3-6 months depending on how well controlled their symptoms are.
The two most common medications used to treat asthma in children are:
- Albuterol: this is a fast-acting medication used to temporarily treat symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. For more information, go to: Asthma Medicines: Quick Relief – HealthyChildren.org
- Inhaled steroids: Children with frequent or severe symptoms may need to use a daily controller medication. For more information, go to: Asthma Medicines for Long-Term Control – HealthyChildren.org
These medications can be administered through an inhaler or a nebulizer. We recommend that a spacer (a plastic tube with a valve that attaches to the inhaler) is used with inhalers, otherwise most of the medication ends up in the mouth rather than in the lungs.
We strongly recommend that all children receive an annual flu vaccine, and that is especially true for children with asthma.
Asthma Forms
At every asthma follow-up visit, we will have you complete the Asthma Control Test. It helps us have a better understanding of how well controlled your child’s asthma symptoms are. If you wish, you can print them and complete them before the visit.
- For ages 4-11: Asthma Control Test Form
- For ages 12+: Asthma Control Test Form
Asthma Resources
More about asthma: What Is Asthma? – HealthyChildren.org
How to use inhalers and spacers: Asthma Devices for Kids: How to Use Inhalers & Nebulizers Effectively – HealthyChildren.org
