Asthma Specialist
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Rise & Shine Pediatrics
Kalpana Kumari, MD, FAAP
Pediatric Care located in South Plainfield, NJ
If your child suffers from asthma, they’re not alone: Currently, about 6 million children suffer from this chronic respiratory condition, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Kalpana Kumari, MD, FAAP, and her team at Rise & Shine Pediatrics near Edison and Woodbridge understand how frustrating and frightening asthma attacks can be, and they’re ready to help you and your child minimize attacks and live without fear. Book your appointment online, or call the South Plainfield, New Jersey, office to get asthma help now.
Asthma Q & A
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease in which the pathways in your child's lungs grow inflamed and swollen in response to a substance that their body perceives as harmful. This airway narrowing restricts air movement and makes it uncomfortable or painful to breathe during episodes, known as asthma attacks.
Asthma attacks are often triggered by some of the same things that cause allergies, such as dust mites. Many children have both asthma and allergies.
What causes my child's asthma attacks?
The most common causes of asthma attacks in children are:
- Mold
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Cigarette smoke
- Strenuous exercise
- Cold, dry air
- Respiratory infections like colds or the flu
There are other potential asthma attack triggers, such as emotional upset or growing very excited. Sometimes an asthma attack trigger isn't clear.
What does asthma look like in children?
If your child has asthma, they may have symptoms like:
- Gasping for air
- Wheezing
- Coughing fits
Your child may also complain of chest pain or a tight feeling in their chest. Sometimes asthma attacks can happen after a bout of bronchitis or a bad cold, making it hard to know whether it's a separate problem.
If your child has recurring respiratory symptoms or has what seems like frequent bronchitis, see an expert pediatrician at Rise & Shine Pediatrics for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. Undiagnosed and unmanaged asthma can be very serious, and potentially fatal in the worst situations.
How is asthma treated in children?
Asthma treatment for children usually includes two main things: a long-term medication and an emergency one. The long-term medication is either an inhaler or a daily oral pill. Long-term medication helps reduce the number of attacks that your child has and helps with clear breathing.
The emergency medication, often called a "rescue" inhaler, is usually an inhaled bronchodilator that takes effect almost immediately when your child is in the throes of an asthma attack. If your child has asthma, it's very important to make sure they have their rescue inhaler with them at all times.
If your child also has allergies, they may experience a reduction in asthma symptoms after allergy treatment like immunotherapy.
Help your child breathe freely by seeing the area’s best children’s care doctors at Rise & Shine Pediatrics. Book online or by calling the location nearest you today.
