Asthma Season

Question: My daughter was diagnosed with mild asthma late last fall after 2 months of nightly coughing episodes that started with a bad cold/flu. She is worse in the winter and well during the summer.I am wondering if that could be the reason for the symptom free summer months?

DR.PAUL: What you describe is a very typical “ASTHMA SEASON” that we see in children. Basically, most children’s asthma patterns follow the same course; mostly fall to winter. Why? A few reasons: The first is that the most common trigger of an asthma attack in children is the common cold and obviously, kids get more colds during the winter months. Also, children tend to be more indoors and we have air tight homes that hold in indoor irritants more such as dust mites, moulds, cigarette smoke and animal dander. It is logical that when we air out the homes during the summer, these pollutants/irritants can leave the indoor environment. It is logical that they are in higher concentration during the winter months. So during the winter, the asthmatic child’s airway, faced with this higher level of indoor irritants, is more prone to getting an attack brought on by colds.

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Pediatrician DR.PAUL Roumeliotis is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The information provided above is designed to be an educational aid only. It is not intended to replace the advice and care of your child’s physician, nor is it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect that your child has a medical condition always consult a physician.

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Pediatrician DR.PAUL Roumeliotis is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The information provided above is designed to be an educational aid only. It is not intended to replace the advice and care of your child’s physician, nor is it intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect that your child has a medical condition always consult a physician.