The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 6.7 million children in the US have asthma. Not only do they suffer from the disease, many don’t get to experience an important part of childhood development and fun: physical activity. These children miss school too- accounting for over 14 million absences per year. And to care for these young patients, parents miss work. The hours in lost productivity among parents of asthmatic children costs approximately $1 billion each year, according to Asthma Statistics in America. And after reading that these kids make several million physician visits annually and several hundred thousand require hospitalization, it may come as no surprise that the annual cost of treating children with asthma is estimated at $2 billion.
However, when healthcare providers can recognize the symptoms, diagnose the disease and teach young patients to manage it, many of the problems associated with asthma disappear. The desired result of asthma treatment, to prevent chronic and troublesome symptoms with minimal adverse reactions is most often achieved when symptoms are realized early. With symptoms accurately exposed, early and aggressive treatment, when needed, can begin. Family ENT, Allergy & Asthma Center welcomes pediatric cases. We offer expert diagnosis and treatment of asthma, allergies, and other related conditions for children of all ages. We work closely with each child’s parents or guardian to ensure the peace of mind of both child and adult.
Early indication of persistent asthma often can be discovered by following the “rule of two,” meaning the two night awakenings or two “rescue medications” per week. A thorough review of medical history may not always be possible with young children, so symptomatic and recent medical events are often most relevant. However, a close look at family history is also critical, which may reveal a history of asthma, allergies or other lung disease. After a full physical examination and listening to the heart and lungs, there are a number of tests that can be performed, including in-office pulmonary function testing. Exhaled Nitric Oxide (eNO) measurement and allergy tests all can help determine if asthma is present and if there are other conditions affecting it.
With early and accurate asthma identification and aggressive (when necessary) treatment, you can control asthmatic symptoms and flare-ups and live healthy, active lives.
If you would like to discuss pediatric asthma in further detail or have a friend you wish to refer, please don’t hesitate to call us at 301.948.4066.