7 ways to figure out if your child may have asthma

QUIZ: How do I know if my child has asthma?

Take this quiz to learn more about the signs and symptoms of this common childhood illness.

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects people of all ages. And about 4.7 million children in the United States have it.

If your child has asthma, it means that they have inflamed airways, which are the tubes that bring air in and out of the lungs. This can make breathing challenging at times, but it can also affect them in other surprising ways.

If you’ve noticed that your child has certain symptoms, such as wheezing or coughing, you may be concerned that they have asthma.

Making an appointment with your child’s pediatrician is the best way to determine if they have asthma. In the meantime, you can also take this quiz to learn more about the causes and triggers of this common condition.

Think your child may have asthma? A good place to start is with a health insurance plan for your family. Call a licensed insurance agent at (800) 827-9990 to talk about plans, or browse your options online today.

Question #1: How many of the things below are risk factors for childhood asthma?

A. One of the child’s parents has asthma.
B. The child lives in a home where they’re exposed to cigarette smoke.
C. The child has food or pollen allergies.
D. The child is Puerto Rican or Black.
E. All the above.

Answer: E. The more risk factors they have, the higher the child’s risk of developing asthma. Some of these risk factors are things that cannot be controlled, such as family history or race. But some of them can be, like whether they are exposed to cigarette smoke in the home. Although doctors aren’t entirely sure what causes asthma, they do know that all the factors listed above can increase a child’s risk.

Question #2: What are some common signs of an asthma attack?

A. The child will tell you that it’s difficult to breathe.
B. The child’s coughing and breathing symptoms become more severe.
C. The child may turn pale or blue in the face, lips or fingernails.
D. All the above.

Answer: D. An asthma attack happens when the airways tighten, and this can make it difficult for a child to breathe. Asthma attacks can be serious — even life threatening — so knowing how to spot the symptoms is important for their health and well-being.

Question #3: What are some common triggers for childhood asthma?

A. Pollen and mold
B. Pet dander (dead skin cells) and dust mites (tiny, insect-like animals that feed on dead skin cells)
C. Poor air quality
D. Cold or flu
E. All the above

Answer: E. When your child has asthma, their airways are especially sensitive. That’s why allergens in the environment, such as pollen or pet dander, can trigger an asthma attack. That’s when a child may cough, wheeze or experience tightness in their chest and have difficulty breathing.

Question #4: Which time of day does childhood asthma typically cause the most coughing?

A. In the morning
B. During the day
C. In the evening
D. Overnight when sleeping

Answer: D. Coughing is a common symptom of asthma, and it can happen at any time of day. But a child with asthma’s coughing tends to get worse at night when they’re sleeping. Another clue that a child may be dealing with asthma is that they’re waking up often. You might notice this if you’re sharing a room with them — or if they’re constantly waking you or your spouse up.

Some health insurance plans can give you and your family access to a wide network of doctors. Call a licensed insurance agent at (800) 827-9990 to talk about plans, or browse your options online today.

Question #5: What makes childhood asthma symptoms worse?

A. Being outside in the cold
B. Getting excited and laughing
C. Wrestling a sibling or another family member
D. Participating in gym class or recess
E. All the above

Answer: E. These are all potential scenarios that can cause coughing spells, wheezing and other childhood asthma–related reactions.

If a child connects these enjoyable activities with problems breathing — which can be scary — they may limit their play. But with the right diagnosis and treatment plan, they can go back to being their energetic, fun-loving selves.

Question #6: True or false: Asthma can affect your child’s mood.

Answer: True. Childhood can be a challenging time, and it’s expected that kids experience mood swings from time to time. But if a child’s asthma isn’t being treated, and they’re having trouble breathing or are coughing constantly — and losing sleep because of it — it could cause them to be more irritable or moody.

Question #7: True or false: You can “hear” asthma in a child’s breathing.

Answer: True. Wheezing is a frequent symptom of childhood asthma, and that can make your child’s breathing have a whistling sound to it, if you listen close enough. That said, during bad asthma flare-ups, wheezing sometimes stops.

If you’re unsure about any of the above symptoms or triggers, the best thing to do is talk to your child’s doctor. While they can’t “cure” a child’s asthma, they can properly diagnose it, treat it and get them on the path to feeling better.

Disclaimer:
For informational purposes only. This information is compiled by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency and does not diagnose problems or recommend specific treatment. Services and medical technologies referenced herein may not be covered under your plan. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.