Asthma Fables and Facts

Although our knowledge of asthma is expanding year by year, many people still cling to outdated beliefs about the disease. Following are some that are often repeated:

Fable: Asthma comes and goes.
Fact: Asthma is often an inflammatory condition that is always in the airways, even when the person is not having trouble breathing. Exposure to an asthma trigger can worsen symptoms, but the underlying condition never goes away, although it can be controlled with medications and environmental control measures.
Fable: Asthma is an emotional disorder; it’s “all in the mind.”
Fact: Asthma is a lung disease; it affects the airways, not the brain. It’s true that symptoms may get worse when a person is under emotional stress, but this is probably more marked in adults and less so in children. Changes in the airways in asthma occur through physiological mechanisms, not emotional ones.
Fable: People with asthma should use medications only when they have attacks; otherwise, the medications lose their effect.
Fact: Regularly using medications is the only way to calm the underlying airway inflammation and prevent asthma flare-ups. Used at the correct dosage, daily medications do not lose their effect or cause uncomfortable side effects. Effective antiasthma medications include inhaled beta-agonists such as albuterol to stop attacks, and inhaled steroids, long-acting beta-agonists, and leukotriene modifiers to prevent attacks from occurring at all.
Fable: Asthma is just an annoying condition, not a real disease.
Fact: Asthma can kill when people do not get treatment to control the underlying condition and stop severe attacks. If everybody who needed medications used the proper ones to control symptoms and prevent flare-ups, hospitalizations and deaths from asthma would be greatly reduced.
Fable: Children grow out of asthma.
Fact: Most people who have asthma are born with a tendency to the condition and keep it for life. It is true many children get much better with age, and their asthma appears to go away completely. However, many have it return in adulthood. Other children who still have asthma are less likely to lose their asthma as they go in to their adult years.
Fable: Asthma clears up when you move to a warm, dry climate.
Fact: If the proper environmental measures are taken and medications are regularly used, people with asthma can live comfortably in any climate they prefer. Very rarely do people ever have to move out of a city or other area because of their asthma.

Last Updated

11/21/2015

Source

Guide to Your Childs Allergies and Asthma (Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics)

Causes of ADHD: What We Know Today

​Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiologic condition whose symptoms are also dependent on the child's environment.
ADHD is now one of the most common and most studied conditions of childhood.

Research to date has shown ADHD may be caused by a number of things: 

• Brain anatomy and function. A lower level of activity in the parts of the brain that control attention and activity level may be associated with ADHD. See ADHD and the Brain from Understood.org. 
• Genes and heredity. ADHD frequently runs in families. A child with ADHD has a 1 in 4 chance of having a parent with ADHD. It’s also likely that another close family member, such as a sibling, will also have ADHD. Sometimes,  ADHD is diagnosed in a parent at the same time it is diagnosed in the child. See Inheriting Mental Disorders.
• Significant head injuries may cause ADHD in some cases.
• Prematurity increases the risk of developing ADHD.
• Prenatal exposures, such as alcohol or nicotine from smoking, increase the risk of developing ADHD.
• In very rare cases, toxins in the environment may lead to ADHD. For instance, lead in the body can affect child development and behavior.

​ There is no evidence that ADHD is caused by:  Eating too much sugar Food additives Allergies Immunizations

Why do so many children have ADHD?

The number of children getting treatment for ADHD has risen. It is not clear whether more children have ADHD or more children are receiving a diag­nosis of ADHD. Also, more children with ADHD are getting treatment for a longer period.

According to national data, ADHD affects about 9.4% of U.S. children ages 2-17―including 2.4% of children ages 2-5 and 4%-12% of school-aged children. Boys are more than twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed with ADHD. Both boys and girls with the disorder typically show symptoms of an additional mental disorder and may also have learning and language problems.

Because of more awareness and better ways of diagnosing and treating this disorder, more children are being helped. 

It may also be the case that school performance has become more important because of the higher ­technical demand of many jobs, and ADHD frequently interferes with school functioning.

Anaphylaxis in Infants & Children

Anaphylaxis is a rapid and severe allergic reaction. It is also a life-threatening emergency.

Research shows a rising number of children being treated in emergency departments for anaphylaxis in recent years. Allergic reactions are unpredictable in terms of when they occur, what types of symptoms develop, and the severity of those symptoms; they can happen to children at any age, including infants.  

Being prepared and knowing the signs of an allergic reaction can save a child's life. At any age, anaphylaxis can be deadly without immediate medical help. Read on.

Anaphylaxis includes a wide range of symptoms that can start quickly—within minutes or several hours after exposure to an allergy trigger. 

Be aware of any of the following symptoms, especially if they appear suddenly: shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or tightness in chest trouble breathing or swallowing skin changes like rash, redness or hives, and/or pale or bluish color swelling of the lips or tongue  sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose tight throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness weak pulse, symptoms of shock vomiting, diarrhea (if severe or combined with other symptoms) dizziness or fainting feeling of "doom," confusion, drowsiness or agitation Infants may also experience other symptoms such as: irritability, fussiness, or inconsolable crying    sudden drooling   unusual sleepiness

Epinephrine is the recommended emergency treatment for symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Epinephrine helps quickly reverse the life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis. If it is available, epinephrine should be given immediately to anyone experiencing symptoms of anaphylaxis, followed by a call to 911, and a trip to the emergency department. 

The medicine comes in auto-injector syringes to make this easier. The best place to inject it is in the muscles of the outer part of the thigh.

Epinephrine autoinjectors should be prescribed for anyone who has ever had an anaphylactic attack and for infants and children at high risk for anaphylaxis.  Because a second dose may be needed if symptoms don't ease quickly, children at risk for anaphylaxis should carry at least two autoinjectors with them at all times.

Children who are old enough can be taught how to give themselves epinephrine, if needed. Epinephrine autoinjectors should be readily available in school or child care settings and trained staff should be available to act quickly in case of a reaction. Keep in mind, schools may require detailed instructions from your child's doctor about how and when to use it. See Administrating at School: Tips for Parents.

What to do after giving an infant or child epinephrine: Note what time the epinephrine was given and call 911. Ask for an ambulance with epinephrine. Tell rescue squad when epinephrine was last given when they arrive. Stay with child and give a second dose of epinephrine if: symptoms get worse, continue, or do not get better in 5 minutes. Keep child lying on his or her back. If the child vomits or has trouble breathing, keep child lying on his or her side. Give other prescription medicine (such as the child's inhaler/bronchodilator or an antihistamine prescribed by the doctor), but never use other medicine in place of epinephrine.

Lots of things can cause a severe allergic reaction.

Common Allergens that Can Trigger Anaphylaxis​
Foods	Peanuts are one of the most common U.S. food allergies. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to introduce peanut-containing foods after their baby has tried low allergy risk foods as an allergen prevention strategy for high-risk infants" Milk Eggs Tree nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, pecans and cashews Shellfish (such as shrimp, lobster) Fish such as tuna, salmon, cod (although, like with peanuts, there is some evidence that consuming fish early in life may help prevent allergic diseases such as asthma and eczema).
Insect stings	Bees Wasps Hornets Yellow jackets Fire ants
Medicines	Antibiotics and antiseizure medicines are some of the more common medicines that cause anaphylaxis. However, any medicine, even aspirin and other non­steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, have the potential to cause severe reactions.
Other	In rare cases, anaphylaxis may be related to a certain food followed by exercise.

 

Be prepared: have an allergy and anaphylaxis emergency care plan.

Anyone caring for an infant or child with a life-threatening allergy must be able to recognize anaphylaxis and know when and how to give the lifesaving treatment (epinephrine). 

If your child is at high risk for allergies, or has had a previous severe allergy reaction, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you have an Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan. Your pediatrician can help you and your family use this plan with anyone who cares for your child. It's also clearly written and easy to understand. See for yourself! 

Cleaners, Sanitizers & Disinfectants

​​Housecleaning may not be the most enjoyable activity in your day, but a few minutes killing germs can go a long way toward keeping your family healthy.

• Routine cleaning with detergent or soap and water removes dirt and grime from surfaces (ex: floors, walls, carpet, windows).
• Sanitizing removes dirt and small amounts of germs. Some items and surfaces are cleaned to remove dirt then sanitized (ex: bathrooms, counters, toys, dishes, silverware).
• Some items and surfaces require the added step of disinfecting after cleaning to kill germs on a surface (ex: changing tables, sinks, counters, toys).

Use Caution Around Cleaners, Disinfectants & Sanitizers

Although chemical disinfectants and sanitizers are essential to control communicable diseases, they are potentially hazardous to children, particularly if the products are in concentrated form.

• Products must be stored in their original labeled containers and in places inaccessible to children.
• Diluted disinfectants and sanitizers in spray bottles must be labeled and stored out of the reach of children.
• Solutions should not be sprayed when children are nearby to avoid inhalation and exposing skin and eyes.
• Before using any chemical, read the product label and manufacturer’s material safety data sheet.

Questions to Consider When Selecting a Disinfectant:

• Is it inactivated by organic matter?
• Is it affected by hard water?
• Does it leave a residue?
• Is it corrosive?
• Is it a skin, eye, or respiratory irritant?
• Is it toxic (by skin absorption, ingestion, or inhalation)?
• What is its effective shelf life after dilution?

About Bleach:

Household bleach (chlorine as sodium hypochlorite) is active against most microorganisms, including bacterial spores and can be used as a disinfectant or sanitizer, depending on its concentration.

Bleach is available at various strengths:

• Household or laundry bleach is a solution of 5.25%, or 52 500 parts per million (ppm), of sodium hypochlorite.
• The “ultra” form is only slightly more concentrated and should be diluted and used in the same fashion as ordinary strength household bleach.
• Higher-strength industrial bleach solutions are not appropriate to use in child care settings.

Household bleach is effective, economical, convenient, and available at grocery stores. It can be corrosive to some metal, rubber, and plastic materials. Bleach solutions gradually lose their strength, so fresh solutions must be prepared daily, and stock solutions must be replaced every few months. Bleach solution should be left on for at least 2 minutes before being wiped off. It can be allowed to dry, because it leaves no residue. Household bleach can be used to sanitize dishes and eating utensils. The concentration of chlorine used in the process is much less than that used for disinfecting other objects.

Cleaners Containing Disinfectants:

By separating out the cleaning and disinfecting processes, you will reduce the amount of disinfectant chemicals used.

• Soiled objects or surfaces will block the effects of a disinfectant or sanitizer. Therefore, proper disinfection or sanitizing of a surface requires that the surface be cleaned (using soap or detergent and a water rinse) before disinfecting or sanitizing.
• Bleach (the sanitizer/disinfectant) and ammonia (the cleaner) should never be mixed, because the mixture produces a poisonous gas.
• Not all items and surfaces require sanitizing or disinfecting. See the Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Frequency Table from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for more information. 

Alternative/Less Toxic Homemade Cleaning Products:

Alternative or less toxic cleaners are made from ingredients such as baking soda, liquid soap, and vinegar. Many of the ingredients are inexpensive, so you may save money over time. However they may require more “elbow grease,” which means you may have to scrub harder.
Although the ingredients in homemade cleaners (e.g., baking soda for scrubbing, vinegar for cutting grease) are safer, not all are nontoxic. Treat them as you would any other cleaner, with caution.

Additional Resources:

• Cleaning Baby Clothes
• Germ Prevention Strategies
• Household Chores for Adolescents
• Poison Prevention

Last Updated

10/8/2019

Source

Adapted from Pediatric Environmental Health, 3rd Edition (Copyright © American Academy of Pediatrics 2011)

We still have the Flu shot vaccine and are vaccinating children over the age of 2. (We are out of Flumist and can no longer vaccinate adults due to the national shortage of the vaccine.) If you haven't already - please bring your children in for their Flu shot. Healthy Kids = Happy Kids!

25 phrases to inspire confidence in your child

 

With healthy self-esteem, your child will flourish. In an era where kindergarten is the new first grade, children are being pushed to develop academic skills from an early age. Yet all the intellectual skills in the world are of little value without the confidence to put them to use. This is why, as a parent, we should prioritize building healthy self-esteem and confidence first and foremost.
To do so, we can choose words that inspire confidence. Here are 25 phases that you can use to increase confidence and self-esteem in your children:

1. “You are capable."

As a parent, our words become the internal language in the minds of our children. We know that our kids are capable of so much—let your words match this belief. Avoid saying things like, "You are going to hurt yourself" or "Don't fall." Our tone and language should communicate confidence.

2. “That was brave."

Sometimes we need to notice things aloud. That means to let them know when we see them being brave. When we notice our kids being brave, they start to notice too.

3. “You've got this."

You know that they have the skills and means necessary and your vote of confidence will give them that extra boost they need to succeed.

4. “I believe in you."

As the parent, you have faith in your child's ability. When you openly communicate that faith in them it will inspire it within themselves.

5. “You can do hard things."

When the going gets tough the obstacles can seem insurmountable. So this direct phrase will tell them exactly what they need to hear—acknowledgment that this is hard work and that they are capable.

6. “No matter what happens, I love you."

Our children need to hear words that communicate unconditional love. That means providing reassurance of our love—regardless of the outcome.

7. “Let's try it together."

Sometimes we all need a helping hand and be sure they know that you will be that hand when they need it.

8. “How'd you do that?"

Ask questions. When you see them do something hard, say, "How did you manage that? How can you do it again?"

9. “That sounds awesome, can you tell me more?"

Take it one step further than just noticing their effort—ask them to elaborate. Then hear the the pride in their voice when they explain.

10. “How can I help?"

When they get really stuck, don't be afraid to offer your support. Let them know that the offer to help is on the table.

11. “Give it your best."

We will never win it all, do it all, or be it all. But we can give it our best. Let's teach our kids this lesson.

12. “I know it's hard, but I have seen you do it before."

It can seem overwhelming, but let's give them evidence of when they have been successful before. This will instill the confidence that they can do it again.

13. “You are enough."

It doesn't matter what the outcome—they need to know they are enough just the way they are.

14. “You make me proud."

Straight and to the point—you can never tell your child this enough.

15. “Even when we get frustrated, we still love each other."

Feelings like frustration, anger and hopelessness are all common human emotions. And despite these big feelings we will stand by the side of our children with unconditional love.

16. “I wonder what would happen if…"

Try to evoke curiosity and a new way of thinking by wondering about the possibilities.

17. “Do you know what grit means?"

Kids love learning new words. Teach them about grit, resilience and perseverance to help them reach towards these goals.

18. “Want to hear a story?"

Share stories with your kids. Tell them about times when you overcame obstacles, met your goals, and reached for the stars.

19. “Do you want to try something crazy?"

Challenge your children with things they think are beyond reach (even if it sounds a little crazy). They might surprise you and themselves.

20. “Sometimes new things can seem scary, but they can be exciting."

Young children tend to cling toward people and environments that are familiar. But if we emphasize how exciting and joyful that new experiences can be, we can encourage the confidence to venture out of the comfort zone.

21. “I know you tried your hardest and I am proud of that effort."

When we see them working hard and giving it their all, we can recognize this effort. After all, life is about the journey, not the destination.

22. “It looks like you are curious about this, let's take a deeper look."

Encourage curiosity and exploration in children of all ages. As a result, they will be more likely to seek out new information and experiences with confidence.

23. “Sometimes we make mistakes, and that is how we learn."

Start the conversation about growing, changing and taking risks. With each challenge and accomplishment, the sense of self-esteem will grow.

24. “How did you challenge yourself today?"

Start the conversation about growing, changing and taking risks. With each challenge and accomplishment, the sense of self-esteem will grow.

25. “Repeat after me, 'I can do it.'"

Positive affirmations are powerful—they can rewire the brain. When we teach our children to use positive affirmations from an early age they will reap the benefits as they grow.

7 positive phrases to boost your toddler's brain development

Brain growth is significant during the first three years of a child's life. Communicating positively helps with healthy development. Here are seven ways to provide positive reinforcement

We know life is busy, and parents want what's best for their growing toddlers. What they might not realize is that 85% of brain growth occurs in the first three years. Many things contribute to development during this time period, so it's important to talk to your child to get them on board with growing big and strong. In order to develop emotionally and physically healthy children, we need to communicate positivity in everything we say.

There are many ways to offer positive reinforcement to help your toddler's development. Here are seven to try:

1. "Let's turn off the iPad and read a book together. Will you turn the pages?"

Reading to your toddler builds language and literacy skills long before they can read on their own. Early vocabulary and listening skills help predict later success in reading and other school subjects. And your toddler can't have enough good books. Books that are best bets at this age have engaging, imaginative illustrations and help develop basic language and number concepts. If your toddler shows an interest in a special topic, like animals or cars and trucks, look for books that feature them. Caring and sharing messages and cultural diversity are all a plus; scary plots aren't.

2. "Let's have some milk instead of juice."

When transitioning off formula or breast milk, it's important to ensure that your toddler is still getting all of the nutrients they need to grow strong. Since toddlers can sometimes be selective in which foods they eat, it can be a challenge to get all of their nutrition via food. Often parents incorporate milk into their little one's diet because it is fortified with vitamin D.

3. "Let's go outside and practice riding your big kid bike!"

Toddlers love to move. Anything they can ride on, push, pull, or otherwise move with helps them practice motor skills and coordination—and burns off some of their boundless energy. Consider wagons, pedal-free bikes, doll strollers, play grocery carts, pull toys, plastic bowling sets, hammering toys, and large and small balls.

4. "Let's try a tiny taste of that broccoli, one more time."

Toddlers often change their food preferences on what can seem like a daily basis. This can be frustrating for parents, who can feel like they have succeeded in getting their little one to eat a certain vegetable or other food, to then find that their toddler turns their nose up at it the next time it is offered.
Research shows that persistence is key. It takes about 15 exposures to a food before a child can learn to accept the taste and like it. Never force your child to eat a food, or scold them for not trying it, but do your best to make eating fun and remind them that the foods they put in their body will help them grow big and strong.
Try cutting the food into different sizes, offering a "sauce" to dip it into (like a bit of ketchup), or turn mealtime into a game and count the pieces that disappear into your toddler's belly.

5. "Let's figure out this puzzle together.

"Toddlers practice skills over and over through play. Toys that give them a chance to figure things out on their own help build creative and logical thinking skills. Such activities also help kids work on fine motor skills, spatial relations skills (how things fit and work together), and hand-eye coordination.
Open-ended toys for creative play are also great since that can be used in many different ways. These kinds of toys include puzzles with large pieces, shape sorters, nesting blocks or cups, art materials (play clay, paint, thick crayons), and wood blocks.

6. "Let's go outside and work in our garden.

"Research has shown that children who spend time outdoors are more physically active, more creative in their play, less physically aggressive, and show better concentration. Exposure to nature also plants the seeds early for becoming more eco-sensitive later in life. Try a big net for catching bugs or minnows, toys for outdoor play (such as balls), a sandbox and sand toys (shovels, dump trucks), and gardening tools (like a child-size rake and watering can).

7. "Let's ask Grandma for tickets to the zoo for your birthday"

When it comes to birthdays and holidays, everyone loves to shower your little one with gifts. But remember that not every gift has to come in a package.
Research has shown that life experiences make people happier, and your toddler will be no exception. Encourage friends and family to celebrate by bringing your toddler somewhere special and new.
Suggest a day at the zoo, a farm, or a garden; a backyard tea party; a visit to a different playground; or a performance for young children (of music, dance, or puppets, for example). Be sure to take photos, too, so you and your toddler can revisit the experience for years to come.

Mendakota Pediatrics Ltd - The Importance of Exercise for Children

Mendakota Pediatrics Ltd: Laughter as medicine

Healthy children need to see the doctor, too!

 

 http://ow.ly/VAsP50vaubK

The Bright Futures/American Academy of Pediatrics developed comprehensive health guidelines for well-child care. This schedule of screenings and assessments is recommended at each well-child visit from infancy through adolescence.

Summer Is Almost Over!

Just a few more weeks of summer. Here are a few ideas to make the most of it!
have a lemonade stand 
make ice cream
meet friends at the pool
make sidewalk art with chalk
camp in the backyard
have fun!

 

Here's a list of kid-friendly restaurants across the Twin Cities - - including a few with healthy food options: http://ow.ly/eiWF50n8rQG

Poor body image is most often associated with girls, but boys suffer from it, too - and body image begins developing when children are very young.
http://ow.ly/rwZc50q0cpy

 

Tools to help care givers and parents limit the kids's screen time. 

 https://d3knp61p33sjvn.cloudfront.net/2015/04/Screen-TimeReductionToolkit.pdf

 

When your child is ill or injured it's not always easy to know if it's an emergency. This guide helps parents know what situations warrant care -- but not emergency care: 

 http://ow.ly/5t6w50mHZbU

When kids are outside playing and having fun, they often don't think about hydration. It's up to the adults to make sure they are getting enough fluids -- and water or milk are the best options. 
We hope you're having a great summer!

5 Signs of Asthma in Kids

LINK

 

Asthma is the most common chronic illness of childhood, but recognizing this breathing problem isn’t always intuitive.

 

1. She’s got at least one of the three basic symptoms.

Children with asthma tend to experience the following issues:

Frequent Coughing

This one’s especially worrisome if the coughing is loud and extreme or gets worse at night. A recent poll from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found that 45 percent of children with asthma have coughed themselves awake. (That helps explain why asthma often leaves whole families exhausted.)
To determine whether your kid’s cough could be problematic, also track how long it lasts. Three weeks or more likely means it’s not just another cold. However, the nature of the hacking won’t tell you much; while asthmatic coughs tend to be dry, they can also produce lots of gunk.

Wheezing

With asthma, you usually hear wheezing at the end of a cough or when your child exhales, and it’s often loud enough to get your attention (think high-pitched, like wind in a tunnel or a squeaky toy). Alas, it can also be so quiet that only a stethoscope can detect it.

 

Shortness Of Breath

Older children may describe this as a feeling of tightness in their chest. Babies sometimes pant, especially when they’re playing, and you may notice your child’s belly moving in and out faster than normal.

2. The symptoms you’re noticing are severe.

Asthma attacks often get scary very fast. Every year, one in six children with asthma goes to the emergency room or urgent care, and one in 20 gets admitted to the hospital. But severity doesn’t always mean high drama. It can also refer to sickness frequent enough to interfere with your child’s quality of life. Think back and count the number of times you’ve taken your child to his pediatrician this year—not just for coughs but for any illness.

3. You’re seeing patterns.

“It may be that each of your child’s coughs seems like just a cold,” says Andrew Weinstein, M.D., who specializes in allergies and immunology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, in Philadelphia. “But if you pay close attention, you can eventually make connections. After about three or four episodes of severe upper respiratory distress in a single year, you can usually suspect asthma.”
When you’re observing your child, take note of specifics—like whether her cough changes with exercise or active play or when she’s outside in cold air. Does laughing or crying start a coughing fit? Each of these can be a sign that you’re dealing with more than a run-of-the-mill virus.

4. You child has at least one risk factor.

Doctors use a standard set of questions to determine which patients are most likely to develop asthma. The major ones: Does your child have eczema? Does your child have allergies to airborne irritants, like pollen? Does one of your child’s parents have asthma?
Boys are more likely to have asthma. African-American kids are also at higher risk and six times more likely to die from asthma. It’s more common in Hispanic children, too, especially those of Puerto Rican descent. And children exposed to secondhand smoke are more vulnerable and have more frequent and severe attacks. Babies who are born prematurely (before the 37th week of pregnancy) are more likely to develop asthma as children but also more apt to outgrow it than other kids who have the condition.

5. She fails the medical tests.

To diagnose older children, doctors use lung-function tests. At the doctor’s office, your child will take a deep breath and then exhale forcefully into a mouthpiece that’s connected to a computer. This measures how much air she can inhale and exhale, as well as how much force she uses. Your doctor may also use a smaller low-tech device called a peak-flow meter that assesses exhalations. These tests don’t hurt, but children have to be able to follow instructions in order for the tests to be accurate. Most 6-year-olds are up to it, and some children as young as 4 can be too.
Health-care providers will typically repeat these tests several times, often before and after medication, and compare a child’s scores with those of other children who are a similar weight and height. Low scores mean that airways are blocked and help confirm the asthma diagnosis.
Another clue may come from a trial of medication. Doctors prescribe bronchodilators such as albuterol for many breathing problems, even colds. These “rescue” medications quickly cause your child’s airway to expand and let in more air. But they also play a diagnostic role. When a doctor suspects your child has asthma, he may send her home with a rescue medication to see if using it for a few weeks reduces her symptoms. (Many young children also use a nebulizer—a mask that allows the child to breathe in vaporized air that contains the medication.) Ultimately, if your child is found to have asthma, you can take comfort in knowing that treatment is very effective and she will be coughing a lot less.