Post #37 Asthma: A Pedi Perspective - Part 5 of 5

Frequently Asked Questions: I have asthma. Does this mean my child will have it too?There is definitely a genetic component to asthma, but how big a role genes play is unclear. While there isn't a specific asthma gene, it is more likely that your child will inherit the tendency to develop asthma. Why does asthma seem to come and go?Asthma is inflammatory in nature, and there are certain things (triggers) that can cause a flare up. I don't like the thought of my child being on daily medication. I also worry about the medication losing its effectiveness, and then not working when we really need it to.  Can't he just have meds when he's having symptoms? Regular use of preventative medications is the best way to calm and prevent flare-ups. If everybody with asthma used the proper medications, the number of hospitalizations and deaths would decrease. Remember, preventative asthma medications are only helpful when used before symptoms begin.  Remember, sunblock only works if you put it on before the sunburn actually occurs.Will my child outgrow asthma?Many children will eventually outgrow the propensity to have asthma flare-ups as their lungs mature and their bodies get bigger.  Even then, children who get better with age have a recurrence in adulthood. There is no cure for asthma, although it can be managed and controlled with medication.  The bottom line is that the factors which make a lung asthma-prone can still be present as an adult but the likelihood...
Source: A Pediatrician's Blog - Category: Pediatricians Source Type: blogs