A cough that drags on after a cold or interrupts a child’s sleep is easy to brush off. For some families, though, that cough is an early sign of asthma, a long-term lung condition that often begins in childhood.
About 1 in 13 people in the United States has asthma, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The condition inflames and narrows the airways, making it harder to breathe out. There is no cure, but it can be managed.
Here are five signs parents should not ignore.
1. A Cough That Is Worse at Night
Coughing that peaks at night or in the early morning is a classic asthma pattern. Children may cough in their sleep or wake up often.
2. Wheezing When Breathing Out
A report by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) said that wheezing is a whistling sound heard as a child exhales and about 4 out of 10 children who make that sound during colds or respiratory infections are later diagnosed with asthma.
Parents who suspect wheezing can record their child’s breathing on a smartphone to show a health care provider.
3. Symptoms That Follow a Pattern
Other conditions can cause coughing and wheezing, but asthma symptoms tend to repeat in recognizable ways. They come and go, sometimes within the same day.
They often start or worsen with a cold. Exercise, allergies, cold air, laughing or crying can set them off.
4. A Child Slowing Down
Children with asthma often avoid energetic play to keep symptoms at bay. A child may not run, play or laugh as hard as other classmates.
5. Fatigue and Irritability
Some children tire quickly, ask to be carried on walks or seem unusually cranky. When asthma is poorly controlled in young children, parents may also notice more nighttime coughing and a smaller appetite.
Why Diagnosis Can Take Time
Children younger than age 6 often cannot perform spirometry, the most common breathing test for asthma. According to medical history and reported symptoms, children can try asthma medicine for a few months to see whether it helps.
Risk factors include viral infections, exposure to cigarette smoke and having a parent with asthma, especially a mother.
When Parents Need to Visit Doctor and Plan to Act
A health care provider can help families create an asthma action plan, which outlines triggers to avoid and what to do during an attack. Parents should share the plan with school staff and other caregivers.
If a child is coughing or struggling to breathe without those signs, call the child’s provider right away. A persistent cough does not always mean asthma.
But a cough that keeps returning, worsens at night or limits play is worth raising with a pediatrician. With a diagnosis and a plan, children can stay active.
