Did you know that asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease? It is more commonly found in children who live in inner cities and more prevalent in African Americans than Caucasians, and in males more often than females.
Asthma often runs in families. Children who have brothers or sisters or parents with asthma often will have the disease themselves.
Additional risk factors for childhood asthma include:
• Allergies – environmental or food
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Being in an environment with second hand smoke
• Living in an inner city versus in a suburban area
• African American
• Low birth weight baby
Signs and symptoms include:
• Rapid breathing
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Feeling tired or weak
• Chest pain on exertion
If you would like to have your child evaluated for asthma, please contact the Ambulatory Care Center at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center at 718-206-7001 for an appointment.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.