Asthma Specialist

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes sudden inflammation in your child’s airways.

Exposure to allergens like dust and pet dander can trigger this sudden inflammation, which makes it difficult for your child to breathe. Asthma also causes excess mucus production in the lungs that interferes with breathing.

The exact cause of asthma isn’t well understood, but your child’s genetics and their environment can play a role. Some children may also have other asthma triggers besides allergens, such as exercise.

When should I seek treatment for my child’s asthma?

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation for your child if they have symptoms of asthma, such as:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath

Because these symptoms can be a sign of other medical conditions, it’s important that your child undergo testing for asthma to confirm or rule out the condition.

The team at Cardinal Pediatrics offers pulmonary function tests, including spirometry and peak flow meter, in the office. These tests measure how much air your child can breathe in and out of their lungs, and how quickly they can do so.

Based on the testing results, the team customizes a treatment plan to manage asthma and prevent new asthma attacks from occurring.

How is asthma treated?

Your child’s treatment plan for asthma depends on their age, their triggers, and the severity of their symptoms.

An important part of an asthma treatment plan is identifying your child’s triggers through allergy testing and other assessments. The team works with you and your child to learn more about what’s causing their asthma and creates a plan to help your child avoid them.

Some children need medications to improve their breathing during an asthma attack. These inhaled medications quickly reduce airway inflammation, so your child can breathe more easily. 

There are also long-acting medications your child may need to take to prevent an asthma attack, including allergy medications and immunotherapy.

Because there’s no cure for asthma, the team at Cardinal Pediatrics continues to monitor your child’s condition and ensure their treatment is working well.

To schedule diagnostic testing for asthma symptoms, call the Cardinal Pediatrics office nearest you today, or book an appointment online.

If you suffer from sneezing, itchy nose, skin rash, watery eyes, and more, we offer treatment for allergies and asthma. Call us to book your appointment today. 

We offer pediatric care, physical exams, and newborn care located in Lowell, MA and Chelmsford, MA. Call us to book your appointment today.