Symptoms of Pediatric Asthma

The most common pediatric asthma symptoms are as follows:

1. Wheezing
Wheezing is noisy breathing that may resemble a "whistling" sound. When the airways constrict and the child inhales air is forced through the narrow passageways creating a raspy or whistling sound.

2. Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath includes difficultly breathing and labored breathing that is not proportional to the child's level of physical activity. It can be characterized by rapid and deep breaths.

3. Coughing
Coughing is a sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs that is done to clear the mucus that the child's body creates in response to irritants and other environmental triggers.

4. Chest tightness or pain
Chest tightness is caused by inflammation of the airways and is similar to tightness caused by a cold or flu virus. Chest pain may be the result of coughing excessively.

5. Rapid heart rate
Rapid heart rate can occur in response to a decrease in oxygen brought on by an asthma attack. It can also occur due to stress after an attack.

6. Sweating
Sweating is when perspiration is excreted through tiny pores in the skin. It's normal when a child gets hots or exercises but could be a sign of asthma if there is no other obvious cause.

Severe symptoms can be life-threatening and include the following:

* Breathing may become shallow.
* Due to the lack of oxygen, skin may turn a blueish color.
* The skin around the chest and rib areas will look tight and "sucked in."
* The individual may lose consciousness.

If your child experiences any of these symptoms, call your child's doctor or 911.