Dr Tanya - Our Resident Pediatrician

We've been told by our pediatrician that our five-year-old daughter most likely has asthma. Over the years, her doctors have heard rattling or wheezing in her lungs. She also has had pneumonia. I've noticed that her colds now immediately descend into her chest and that she can develop a deep cough overnight. In the past year, she has also told me that her chest hurt after some intense running around.

She has always been an extremely physical kid -- this is very much a part of her identity. I do not want her to feel that she is in any way impaired, so we have not used the word "asthma." Is there any alternative treatment you know of that could help prevent her situation from worsening?

Thanks for your help.

Iris, Los Angeles

There’s no reason to be afraid of the word “asthma.” Asthma is one of the most common medical conditions in children. Children with this condition should be able to play sports and be just as active as other children. Attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness -- even occasionally-- may be signs of asthma. If such symptoms are interfering with your child’s life, see your pediatrician and come up with a plan to prevent future asthma symptoms.

To control your child’s asthma, you must know how to treat an acute asthma attack and prevent future attacks. Medications such as Albuterol or Xopenex given via nebulizer or as an inhaler work as a rescue medicine—they relieve coughing, wheezing or chest tightness by opening up the airways. If your child uses a rescue medication more than two times a week, wakes up in the middle of the night more than twice a month, or can't participate in daily activities or sports, see your child’s pediatrician or allergist for new treatment options. Your child may need a long-term controller medication to treat lung inflammation and prevent future asthma attacks. Such preventive medications, usually given as a daily tablet or inhalation, work to protect your child’s airways – that way triggers such as colds or running around won’t irritate your child’s lungs and cause wheezing.

Asthma should not interfere with your child's life. With education and new treatment choices such as long-term controller medications, your child can run, play, sleep soundly, do well in school and enjoy life.