Signs & Symptoms of Child Asthma

A chronic lung disease affecting both children and adults, asthma causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, called bronchi. Asthma can impede breathing, and is considered incurable yet manageable with ongoing medical treatment. Untreated, however, it could lead to serious physical complications and even death. Asthma affects more than 22 million Americans, including 6 million children, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Often beginning in childhood, asthma symptoms vary from child to child, and may improve or worsen over time.

Coughing

• Coughing is a common, recurring symptom of asthma in children. Asthma-related coughing can affect sleep, as it often becomes worse at night or in the early morning. A cold, flu or respiratory infection can intensify coughing spells in asthma sufferers. An incessant cough, especially with mucus, is also one of the initial signs of asthma in children.

Chest Tightness

• Chest tightness, pain or pressure can be another early indicator of asthma in children. Sufferers describe it as a force squeezing or pressing on the chest, limiting inhalation and exhalation. They feel as if they cannot take a full breath.

Shortness of Breath

• Children with asthma often feel fatigued or have trouble breathing, especially during physical exertion such as vigorous play or exercise. Shortness of breath can lead to rapid, labored breathing, and asthmatic children may vehemently work their shoulders in an attempt to take deeper breaths. Feeling as if they cannot catch their breath, sufferers may panic, causing a sudden worsening of symptoms or a bronchospasm, commonly called an asthma attack or flare-up, according to WebMD.

Wheezing

• A high-pitched noise during inhalation or exhalation, wheezing is a common sign of asthma in children. Often described as a whistling or squeaky sound, wheezing can lead to more rapid breathing and an escalation of symptoms. Many young children wheeze when suffering from a cold or flu, so not every wheezing child has asthma. Asthmatic children wheeze more frequently and not only with colds.

More Severe Symptoms

• During severe asthma attacks, a child's body can experience retractions. This occurs when the child's chest visibly sinks in below the neck or ribs during inhalation. The sides of the body may also pull inward as the child struggles to breathe. Rapid heart rate, sweating and chest pain also indicate a severe asthma attack.

  According to the Mayo Clinic, health professionals recommend that parents seek emergency medical attention if, during an attack, their asthmatic child stops talking to regain breath or experiences visibly labored breathing. Also, children exhibiting flared nostrils while breathing or a sucked-in abdomen during inhalation indicate symptoms severe enough to warrant professional help.