Asthma is a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. It usually results from an allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity.

Asthma is very common, it is also a serious and potentially life-threatening disease.

The disease is characterized by inflammation (redness and swelling) of the conducting airways, causing episodic narrowing (obstruction).

Breathing through the narrowed airways causes its typical symptoms such as cough, wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness.

The hallmark of asthma is its episodic nature and reversibility of obstruction.

Even though the symptoms are recurrent, the inflammation of the airways is persistent.

Breathing sounds: If your child is making a soft, whistling-like sound while breathing, it is most likely that she is wheezing.

Most children who have asthma develop their first symptoms before 5 years of age. However, asthma in young children can be hard to diagnose. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether a child has asthma or another childhood condition because the symptoms of both conditions can be similar.

A young child who frequently wheezes with colds or respiratory infections is more likely to have asthma if:

A parent has asthma
The child has signs of allergies, including the allergic skin condition eczema
The child wheezes even when he or she doesn't have a cold or other infection

Triggers for Asthma

Allergens such as dust mites, pollen (from trees, grass, and weeds), mold, animal dander, or cockroaches
Irritants such as tobacco smoke, chemicals, sprays, dust, or air pollution
Respiratory illness such as a cold or flu
Physical activity
Cold air
Strong emotions or stress
Inspect your home for signs of mold

Yes, the acute flare of asthma can be life-threatening. A child can present with any of the following symptoms:

Severe breathlessness/difficulty in breathing or wheezing, especially at night or early in the morning, even at rest
The child is unable to talk/walk/feed normally due to severe shortness of breath
The feeling of extreme tiredness
Having to strain the chest muscles to breathe, flaring of nostrils while breathing.
Drowsiness/altered sensorium/irritability/confusion
The child not responding to the initial rescue (reliever) puffs
Gasping for breaths
Blue lips/fingernails/face
Exhaustion/fainting/collapsing.