Manage Childhood Asthma
The pediatric pulmonologists and nurse practitioners at University Children’s Health can help manage your child’s asthma. Get testing, treatment and education to prevent serious breathing problems and keep asthma under control.
Diagnosing Asthma
To diagnose asthma or another lung condition, your child's lung doctor or nurse practitioner will:
- Ask questions about your child’s symptoms
- Perform a physical exam
- Review your child’s health history
- Order pulmonary tests
Lung Tests
Trust our compassionate team to help keep your child comfortable during any lung function testing, such as:
- Exhaled nitric oxide test – Checks how much nitric oxide your child breathes out
- Methacholine challenge test – Examines how the lungs respond when your child breathes in a tiny dose of a drug that can narrow the airways
- Spirometry – Measures how much air your child can breathe out and how quickly
- Bronchoscopy – This test may be done if there is a concern about how your child’s airways are formed or if your child has had repeated lung infections
Customized Treatment Plan
Your pediatric pulmonology team will recommend a personalized treatment plan based on your child’s test results and overall health. It may include medications, inhalers and care for other conditions that may make your child’s asthma worse.
If necessary, you may be referred to see a pediatric specialist in allergy, gastroenterology, or ear, nose and throat care. These doctors can treat conditions related to asthma so your child gets well-rounded support.
Take Control of Your Child’s Asthma
After you have an asthma treatment plan, we encourage you to attend one of our free asthma self-management classes for children and adults. Learn how to:
- Identify childhood asthma symptoms
- Monitor lung function
- Recognize triggers
- Respond to an asthma attack (coughing, wheezing and trouble breathing)
Classes take place every Tuesday through Friday and are available in English and Spanish. See our asthma education class schedule.
