Will my child outgrow asthma?
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/outgrow-asthma/AN01973
- With Mayo Clinic asthma and allergy specialist
James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.
James Li, M.D.
"People with allergy or asthma can lead full and healthy lives." — Dr. James Li
Dr. James Li is chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine and a board-certified asthma and allergy specialist. He hopes his expertise and the information on the site educates health care consumers in an area of rapid change both in medications and diagnoses.
"There are a lot of misperceptions about allergy and asthma," says Dr. Li, a New York City native who has been with Mayo since 1985 and works with a group of subspecialists in allergy, asthma and immunology. "I believe it's important to provide truthful, accurate information about allergy and asthma to the public. The more people know, the better they can take care of these conditions."
Dr. Li is a professor of medicine at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. He's a past director of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He's a fellow in the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology honored him with the Distinguished Service Award, and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology with its Special Recognition Award.
Risk factors (2)
- Starting solids: When is the right time?
- Infant swimming: Do indoor pools increase asthma risk?
Symptoms (1)
- Wheezing in children: Could it be asthma?
Tests and diagnosis (1)
- Will my child outgrow asthma?
Treatments and drugs (2)
- LABAs for asthma — Should I stop taking them?
- Albuterol side effects: What's normal?
Lifestyle and home remedies (1)
- Asthma triggers: Are hard flooring surfaces better than carpet?
Prevention (1)
- Hygiene hypothesis: Early germ exposure prevents asthma?
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Question
Will my child outgrow asthma?
Do some children outgrow asthma?
Answer
from James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.
In some children, asthma improves during adolescence and young adulthood. For others, symptoms go away only to return a few years later. Many children with asthma never outgrow it.
In young children, it can be difficult to tell whether symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath are caused by asthma or something else. Sometimes, what seems to be asthma turns out to be another condition such as bronchitis, recurrent pneumonia or bronchiolitis. These and a number of other asthma-like conditions typically improve as children get older.
Persistent wheezing during early childhood, having a skin allergy such as atopic dermatitis or having hay fever are clues that your child may have asthma that's likely to persist into adolescence and adulthood. Also, children with more severe asthma are less likely to outgrow it.
It's important to diagnose and treat childhood asthma early on. Medications such as inhaled corticosteroids improve day-to-day symptoms and reduce the risk of asthma attacks.
Work with your child's doctor to make certain you're taking the right steps to manage your child's asthma. This generally includes following a written asthma action plan to systematically track symptoms, adjust medications and help your child avoid asthma triggers.
Next questionLABAs for asthma — Should I stop taking them?
- Expert panel report 3 (EPR-3): Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. Bethesda, Md.: National Institutes of Health. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm. Accessed Nov. 22, 2010.
- Boguniewicz M, et al. Allergic disorders. In: Hay WW, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Pediatrics. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3409411. Accessed Dec. 1, 2010.
- Liu AH, et. al. Childhood asthma. In: Kliegman RM. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/10te0024376-12/727446153/1608/440.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50145-6--cesec11_3422. Accessed Nov. 22, 2010.
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