Does My Child Have Asthma?

Asthma is a common chronic disease that often occurs in childhood. According to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), there are six main indicators that you can use to self-monitor at home.

Wheezing: Does your child have a wheezing sound when breathing?

Nighttime coughing: Does your child often cough at night?

Exercise-induced coughing: Does your child cough after exercise or playing?

Symptoms after exposure to allergens or pollutants: Does your child experience chest tightness, coughing, etc., after exposure to polluted air or allergens?

Persistent cold symptoms: Does your child have symptoms lasting more than ten days each time they catch a cold, such as excess phlegm or wheezing?

Effect of medication: Does your child's symptoms improve significantly after using asthma medication?

If your child meets any of the above criteria, they may have asthma. It's important to note that not all children with asthma will have obvious wheezing sounds; often, it may manifest as chronic coughing or other symptoms. If you suspect your child has asthma, it is recommended to seek medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.

In recent years, the number of children with asthma has been increasing. According to a national epidemiological survey of childhood asthma, the number of children with asthma has nearly tripled in the past twenty years. One fact that parents need to know is that once an allergic constitution is triggered, there is no turning back. Allergies can be well controlled but cannot be cured.

If your child already has asthma, whether it's medication, environmental control, dietary adjustments, etc., can only "control" it from recurring, not cure it. "Well-controlled" means no need for medication and no symptoms. Although it is not far from "cure", there are fundamental differences.

Reference: Epidemiological Survey of Childhood Asthma、GINA