​Symptoms include cough, wheeze (whistling noise in the chest), shortness of breath and tightness of the chest.

These symptoms of asthma can appear suddenly (attacks) or be chronically present (persistent). Persistent symptoms tend to occur in the early hours of the morning and at night. They can also be triggered by exercise. Attacks can be triggered by the common cold, cold air and air pollutants such as pet dander and cigarette smoke.

The diagnosis of asthma is based on family history and clinical examinations. Special tests may be needed to help in the further evaluation or management of your child's asthma, such as:

• Spirometry
  

• Oscillometry
  

• Exhaled nitric oxide measurements
  

• Allergy tests
  

The goals of asthma treatment are to control all asthma symptoms, prevent asthma attacks and allow your child to lead a healthy and normal life. Asthma can be controlled in nearly all children with the right management such as:

• Usage of relievers
  

These are used during an asthma attack to provide relief. The most commonly used reliever is Salbutamol or Albuterol.

These are called bronchodilators and have the best effect when they are inhaled. They open the airways and relieve symptoms of asthma.

• Usage of preventers or controllers
  

These are useful when asthma is persistent, attacks are frequent and/or severe. They help to prevent asthma attacks from happening and are usually inhaled. Some examples include:

• Fluticasone
• Salmeterol and Fluticasone
• Beclomethasone
  
• Budesonide
  

Preventer medications have to be taken every day. Not all children need preventer medications. Ask your doctor if your child needs to use a preventer for his or her asthma.

• Identification and avoidance of triggers
  

Exercise-Induced Asthma

Exercise-induced asthma is suspected when there is a suggestive history: on exercise, there are symptoms of asthma as described above. It may be confirmed with an exercise challenge test. During the test, your child will run on a treadmill machine until at least 80% of his or her maximum heart rate is achieved and maintained for more than 6 to 8 minutes. Your child's lung function will first be assessed before exercising and then at various intervals after he or she has started exercising. If the lung function parameter shows a decrease of at least 12% to 15%, it means that your child has exercise-induced asthma. Children above 5 years old are usually able to perform this test reliably.

If your child has asthma, the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma can be reduced by managing his or her asthma well. Taking additional medications such as a short-acting bronchodilator spray 15 minutes before exercising is also helpful.

​If you do not hear any coughing or wheezing and your child is breathing comfortably, there is no need to wake your child from sleep for medications.

Many children improve as they get older. Once asthma is properly controlled, your child should be encouraged to take part in all usual activities. There is no need to restrict activity. With the right medication and care, children with asthma should be able to participate in sports and lead normal active lives. Many outstanding athletes have won Olympics medals despite having asthma.

Please take your child to the Children's Emergency if:

• His or her breathing is laboured or difficult.
  
• Your child is unable to talk.
  
• Your child is not responding to the reliever medication and the condition is getting worse.
  
• You feel that your child is very sick.
  

Exercise-Induced Asthma

• Warming up before exercising and cooling down after exercising can help to reduce or relieve the symptoms.
  
• Some exercises like swimming are a good form of exercise to start with as they are less likely to trigger symptoms.
  
• It is important to recognise if the exercise is triggering an asthma attack. Your child should stop exercising and administer treatment if necessary.