Coughing, wheezing or trouble keeping up with activities can leave parents wondering whether asthma may be part of the problem.
Our pediatric team evaluates breathing concerns in children and provides ongoing care for children diagnosed with asthma. Visits may include reviewing symptom patterns, possible triggers, medications, inhaler or spacer technique and the child’s asthma action plan when applicable.
If your child has new breathing symptoms or needs asthma follow-up, contact the pediatric office most convenient for your family.
Evaluation & Follow-Up
Care for new concerns and established asthma.
Practical Asthma Guidance
Helping families understand medications, devices and action plans.
Care Close to Home
Pediatric offices in Sylacauga, Chelsea and Valleydale.
Asthma can look different from one child to another. Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Symptoms may come and go and can sometimes become more noticeable with respiratory infections, exercise, allergies or other triggers.
A cough that repeatedly occurs at night, breathing symptoms that interfere with play or exercise, or recurring episodes of wheezing are all reasons to discuss what you are seeing with your child’s pediatrician.
Having these symptoms does not automatically mean your child has asthma. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms, which is why an appropriate pediatric evaluation matters.
A whistling sound during breathing may be one symptom parents notice.
Asthma-related coughing may be more noticeable at night, early in the morning or during certain activities.
Children may describe difficulty breathing or may simply appear to tire more easily.
Older children may describe pressure or tightness in the chest as part of their symptoms.
There is not always a single test that answers every asthma question. Your child’s pediatric provider considers the pattern of symptoms, medical history, possible triggers and other clinical information when determining whether asthma or another condition may be contributing.
Diagnosing asthma can be particularly challenging in younger children because some may not yet be able to perform standard lung-function testing such as spirometry reliably.
Previous breathing problems, illnesses, allergies and other relevant health information can provide useful context.
When symptoms occur—such as at night, during exercise or with respiratory illnesses—can be important information.
Families may discuss circumstances or exposures that appear to make symptoms worse.
Your pediatric provider can evaluate your child and listen to the lungs as part of the clinical assessment.
Your provider will want to understand what your child is experiencing and how often symptoms occur.
Depending on age and circumstances, additional testing or follow-up may sometimes be appropriate.
For children diagnosed with asthma, ongoing care is about more than responding when symptoms become severe.
Regular follow-up gives your pediatric team an opportunity to review how often symptoms are occurring, whether asthma is interfering with sleep or normal activities, how medications are being used and whether the current management plan is working.
Asthma treatment is individualized based on factors such as age, symptom severity and response to treatment.
Asthma symptoms can be affected by different situations and exposures. Keeping track of when coughing, wheezing or breathing difficulties occur can help families and providers recognize useful patterns over time. For some children, symptoms may become more noticeable with viral illnesses, exercise, allergens or cold air.
Asthma treatment depends on the individual child. Some medicines are intended to provide quick relief when symptoms occur, while others may be prescribed to help control symptoms over time. Families should use asthma medications according to their child’s individualized instructions and should not stop or change treatment without discussing it with the healthcare provider.
Asthma can change as children grow. Follow-up visits allow families to discuss new symptoms, activity limitations, nighttime coughing, medication use and other changes with their pediatric provider. The goal is to maintain good asthma control so children can participate as fully as possible in everyday life.
An asthma action plan is a written plan created with your child’s healthcare provider.
It can explain everyday treatment, how to recognize worsening symptoms, which medicines to use and when, and when your child needs medical or emergency care. Sharing the plan with school staff and other caregivers can help keep instructions consistent away from home.
Know what your child should do when asthma is well controlled.
Understand the instructions for when coughing or breathing symptoms increase.
Know when your pediatric office should be contacted.
Have a clear plan for symptoms that require emergency care.
Even the right medication may not work as intended if a family is unsure how or when to use it. Your pediatric team can review your child’s prescribed asthma medicines and demonstrate how the appropriate inhaler, spacer or other device should be used.
Do not start, stop or change an asthma medicine based only on website information. Follow the instructions provided for your child and contact the office if you have questions about the treatment plan or device technique.
Asthma does not automatically mean a child needs to sit on the sidelines.
With appropriate asthma management, children can participate in normal activities, including sports and exercise. Exercise can trigger symptoms in some people, so children with exercise-related asthma should follow the individualized instructions provided by their healthcare professional.
For school-age children, families should consider sharing the child’s asthma action plan with school staff and caregivers.
The more clearly your pediatric team understands what has been happening between visits, the easier it is to have a useful asthma conversation.
Bring information about recent symptoms, medications and any situations where your child’s asthma has interfered with sleep, school, sports or normal activities.
Follow your child’s individual asthma action plan when breathing symptoms worsen. If prescribed at-home medicine is not relieving symptoms, contact your child’s healthcare provider or seek medical care as directed by the plan.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care for severe difficulty breathing, blue or gray lips or skin, drowsiness or confusion, or any situation in which you believe your child is experiencing a medical emergency.
For increased coughing, wheezing or other breathing symptoms that are not an emergency, follow the asthma action plan and contact your pediatric office for guidance.
Common symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Symptoms may come and go and may become more noticeable with certain triggers or respiratory illnesses.
Not necessarily. Wheezing can occur for different reasons, particularly in young children. A pediatric provider considers the overall pattern of symptoms and medical history before determining whether asthma may be the cause.
Yes, but evaluation may look different in younger children. Some children are not yet able to perform standard lung-function testing reliably, so the provider may rely more heavily on symptom patterns, medical history, examination and response to treatment when appropriate.
An asthma action plan is a written plan developed with a healthcare provider that explains everyday treatment, how to recognize worsening asthma, which medicines to use and when to contact a provider or seek emergency care.
A written asthma action plan can be shared with school staff and other caregivers so they understand the child’s everyday plan, what to do when symptoms worsen and when medical or emergency help is needed.
Many children with well-managed asthma can remain active and participate in sports. Some children experience symptoms triggered by exercise and may need an individualized treatment approach from their healthcare provider.
Follow your child’s asthma action plan. If prescribed at-home medicine is not relieving symptoms, contact your child’s healthcare provider or seek medical care as directed. Severe breathing difficulty or other emergency warning signs require emergency care.
Follow-up frequency depends on the child’s symptoms, asthma control and treatment plan. Your pediatric provider can recommend an appropriate schedule based on your child’s individual needs.
A written asthma action plan helps families know:
What to do every day
What to do when symptoms worsen
When to call the pediatrician
When emergency care is needed
Whether you have questions about recurring wheezing or your child needs ongoing asthma follow-up, start with the pediatric office most convenient for your family.
With offices in Sylacauga, Chelsea, and Birmingham’s Valleydale area, families can choose the pediatric office most convenient for them. Select a location below to call, get directions, or view complete office information.
115 West Clay Street
Sylacauga, Alabama 35150
134 Foothills Parkway
Chelsea, Alabama 35043
1200 Providence Park, Suite 100
Birmingham, Alabama 35242
Providing compassionate comprehensive pediatric care for infants, children, and adolescents at three convenient locations in Alabama.
115 West Clay Street
Sylacauaga, Alabama 35150
Mon, Tue, Thu: 8:00AM – 5:00pm
Wed: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Fri: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Mon – Fri: 8:00am – 5:00pm
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