children s health issues
Asthma in Children
Diagnosis of Asthma in Children
Wheezing and family history of asthma or allergies Sometimes allergy testing Sometimes pulmonary function tests A doctor suspects asthma in children who have repeated episodes of wheezing, particularly when family members are known to have asthma or allergies. However, asthma is only one of several Causes . X-rays of the chest are rarely necessary for the diagnosis of asthma in children. X-rays are usually done only if doctors think that the child's symptoms might be caused by a different disorder, such as Children with frequent wheezing episodes may be tested for other disorders, such as Diagnosis or Older children or adolescents known to have asthma often use a peak flow meter (a small handheld device that records how fast a person can blow out air) to measure the degree of airway narrowing. This device can be used at home. Doctors and parents can use this measurement to assess the child's condition during an attack and between attacks. X-rays are not done during an attack in children known to have asthma unless doctors suspect another disorder such as pneumonia or a collapsed lung. 