There is nothing as terrible as seeing your child gasping for breath and almost wheezing her lungs out because this is the common sight when your child has asthma. But, if you think childhood asthma is bad, then you have to realize that asthma in toddlers is worse. Most of these children who have asthma got it as early as when they were yet toddlers. Because of this is it is necessary for your toddler to be evaluated for symptoms of asthma as early as possible.

There are 5 million American children reported as suffering from asthma. One hundred seventy three thousand of them were hospitalized for severe symptoms while 864,000 were administered with emergency treatment annually.

Asthma among infants and toddlers is more difficult to diagnose than asthma in older children. Because of this, it is best to always be in the look out for the signs and symptoms that normally characterizes the disease. This is a pressing matter considering that there were many cases of deaths due to asthma especially among toddlers happened because parents were not able aware of the severity of their toddler’s condition. Although common colds and other respiratory diseases like bronchitis display symptoms that are similar to that of asthma, this does not mean that you just ignore your child who is already showing signs of a wheezing cough and labored breathing.

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You don’t have to worry when your kid was diagnosed with asthma as early as when he was yet a toddler because this does not mean that he will be afflicted with the disease for as long as he lives. There are actually quite a number of documented cases where a toddler’s asthma did not persist into adulthood. Based on these cases, it can be assumed that while toddlers are susceptible to asthma attacks, they develop immunity to the disease as their age advances.

Asthma in toddlers is characterized with a persistent, hacking cough that sounds as if the lungs are congested. In some, the cough could come out as wheezing, although there are times when this is not the case. Other symptoms include flaring nostrils and muscle retractions especially at the chest area. This usually means labored breathing and will make feedings very difficult. Even when sleeping, an asthmatic toddler will display rapid breathing. You should take your toddler to the nearest hospital once you notice that he or she is breathing more rapidly than usual as this could mean that his or her breathing difficulty is getting worse.

A toddler’s lack of enthusiasm as well as stamina during playtime is also another sign to watch out for in toddlers suspected of having asthma. The reason for this is your child associates physical activities with difficulty in breathing discouraging him or her to join in the fun. Should you notice these signs and symptoms in your toddler, you should bring him to your pediatrician for a consultation so asthma could either be determined or ruled out.

Managing asthma in toddlers is tricky. The best approach to this is to get help from from his or her care provider and teachers. You could furnish these people with detailed instructions on what to do during an asthma attack. You can ask your kid’s doctor to aid you in the preparation of these instructions.

There are also many things that can be done to help your kid avoid having an asthma attack. They should never be taken to smoky places as smoke from a cigarette can easily trigger an asthma attack. You should also have your child’s dust mite protein sensitivity tested by your pediatrician. Keep stuffed toys away from your asthmatic toddler because most often than not, parents are not aware that these toys are dust mites hosts. Also, limit your toddler’s activities outdoors during seasons like fall and spring as high levels of pollen are present during these times and pollen is a highly allergic material for asthmatics.

Another factor considered as one that could trigger asthma is emotional stress. It does not only incite asthma attacks but could also worsen asthma symptoms. You should approach panic and anxiety attacks in your asthmatic toddler with a calm that will help make your child relax. Once your toddler has calmed down, it is time that you administer treatment such as the bronchodilator medication that will somehow ease his breathing.

If you want your children to grow up as healthy adults, take care in keeping them away from elements that can lead to a long-term disease, like asthma, that could very well hamper their full enjoyment of life.