Childhood Asthma in Harford County, MD

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes it difficult for air to pass through your lungs properly. It can start at any age and nearly 26 million Americans have asthma, 7 million of them being children. Unfortunately, there is no cure for asthma. However, with proper management, people living with asthma can live completely normal and healthy lives without asthma.

If your child is displaying symptoms of asthma, don’t hesitate to see a specialist. Give us a call today in Towson at (410) 769-8801 or Fallston at (443) 981-3337 to schedule an appointment. Our offices are a short drive from Baltimore, Owings Mills, Timonium, and Parkville.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) condition that affects the airways in the lungs that carry air in and out. If you have asthma, the airways can become inflamed and narrowed at times. This makes it harder for air to flow out of your airways when you breathe out.

The Causes of Asthma

The swollen airways in the lungs become sensitive to certain triggers, and when those triggers enter the body, those airways create extra mucus making it difficult to breathe which leads to asthma attacks, complications, and sometimes death. The key is to understand the triggers that cause asthma. Sometimes, you may not even know you have it until you’re exposed to those triggers. This means the environment you live in is a huge cause and risk factor for asthma. Additionally, genetics is a risk factor for asthma.

What Are Some Common Asthma Triggers?

• Infections of the airways. This covers sinus infections, pneumonia, and colds.
• Allergens. Your child may be allergic to dust mites, pollen, cockroaches, and pet dander.
• Irritants. Airways may be irritated by smoking, chemicals, cold air, scents, or air pollution.
• Work out. Wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness may result from it.
• Tension. It may exacerbate your child’s symptoms and cause them to become dyspeptic.

Symptoms of Asthma

You may be wondering if your child has asthma, but unsure if it’s something else. If any of these symptoms occur chronically or only around certain triggers, they may have asthma:

• Tight feeling in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Wheezing

However, a variety of other conditions may be causing these symptoms, such as different allergies. Consult with Towson Pediatrics about whether or not your child has asthma.

How Is Asthma Treated?

There are several options to treat asthma, as it is a fairly common condition.

The main treatments include:

• Medications
• Injections
• Surgery
• Other Therapies

Diagnosis for Asthma

Dr. Assaad will need to conduct tests to diagnose your child. First, they will ask about symptoms, medical history, experiences, etc. to get a good sense of if asthma is a possibility. After that, the most common test is called Spirometry, in which the pediatrician will use a device to measure the airflow of the lungs.

Typically, if your child has the above symptoms, has a parent with asthma, and also has allergies (including skin allergies), Dr. Assaad will conduct a lung functioning test. After that, usually, a trial period of asthma medication will be given, depending on the results, with a follow-up appointment to monitor the outcome.

What are Asthma Medications?

Treating asthma with medication is the most common treatment option. There are various ways these medications can be delivered, with inhalers being the most common. An inhaler is a small, handheld device that delivers medication directly to your lungs.

You can receive asthma medication through:

Inhalers

At Towson Pediatrics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating children with asthma, offering the highest quality of care to manage their symptoms effectively. Our treatment approach includes the use of reliever inhalers, which are administered to alleviate symptoms promptly when they occur, providing quick relief within minutes. Additionally, we utilize preventer inhalers, which contain steroid medicine and are used daily to reduce airway inflammation and sensitivity. By incorporating both types of inhalers into our treatment plans, we aim to minimize asthma symptoms and enhance the overall quality of life for our pediatric patients, ensuring they can lead healthy and active lives.

Nebulizers

Our pediatrician in Baltimore & Harford County, MD provide advanced treatment options for children with asthma, including the use of nebulizers to deliver medication effectively. A nebulizer machine transforms asthma medications from a liquid to a mist, making it easier for patients to inhale the medicine into their lungs. This method is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing difficulties with traditional inhalers. Additionally, we may recommend cromolyn sodium, a mast cell stabilizer that effectively prevents the release of certain natural chemicals in the body known to trigger asthma symptoms. Through our comprehensive approach to asthma management, we strive to optimize treatment outcomes and improve the respiratory health of our pediatric patients.

Tablets

Our pediatric clinic in Baltimore & Harford County, MD offers a range of treatment options for children with asthma, including medications like leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), which are available in syrup or powder form to prevent symptoms. Additionally, we may prescribe theophylline for daily use to help avoid asthma symptoms. In cases where other treatments are ineffective, steroid tablets may be considered as a last resort. Our goal is to provide personalized care and comprehensive solutions to manage asthma effectively and improve the quality of life for our pediatric patients.

You will probably take more medicine when you begin treatment to get control of your asthma. Once your asthma is well-controlled, your doctor may be able to reduce the amount of medicine you take.