Mahaska Health Partnership Shares Signs of Asthma in Children
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – Asthma is a lung disease that is scary at any age, but can be especially frightening for children. Mahaska Health Partnership Allergy/Immunology Specialist Stanley Horner, DO, explains the symptoms and when to seek professional help.
According to Dr. Horner, asthma can cause recurring wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. “This condition is especially scary in children, as they are not always able to tell us what is going on or how they’re feeling in the most concise manner. It can also be difficult to manage their symptoms and figure out their triggers, making choosing a treatment route challenging.
“Asthma has multiple causes, and it is not uncommon for two or more to be present in one child,” Dr. Horner continued. “It may take some time to figure out exactly what is prompting a child’s symptoms, as there may be multiple underlying causes and unfortunately, there’s no one test that will tell us whether it’s asthma or something different.”
One suggestion Dr. Horner offers is for parents to keep track of symptom episodes. “If your child experiences a period of wheezing, coughing or extreme shortness of breath, keep track of as much information as possible; duration, severity, environment and what they were doing at the onset of symptoms. We can look through these triggers to determine how to treat them.”
Two of the most common triggers of asthma in children are colds and allergies. “During a child’s toddler years, an allergy evaluation should be considered to help determine a diagnosis,” Dr. Horner explained. “This will help pinpoint what is causing the symptoms and how best to treat them. After age five, a pulmonary function test may help shed more light on how air flows through the child’s lungs and any other underlying causes of their symptoms.”
As a Board Certified Allergy and Immunology Specialist, Dr. Horner has a long history of treating patients for allergies, asthma and other diseases of the immune system. “Just because someone presents with symptoms that appear to be asthma or allergy-related, I don’t make a diagnosis based on that assumption. Instead, we work together to determine the root cause of the problem to determine the best treatment option for symptoms.”
According to Dr. Horner, the key to asthma management at any age is understanding triggers and how to avoid them, along with how to treat severe symptoms. “By educating yourself and working with your healthcare provider, asthma can easily be managed and your child can go about their adventures without worry in no time.”
Allergy/Immunology Specialist Stanley Horner, DO, is Board Certified to treat patients for issues related to allergies and the immune system. Allergic and asthmatic reactions stem from a reaction of the immune system. Through his specialty, Dr. Horner works to determine the root cause of patient’s symptoms to alleviate sinus, skin and respiratory issues. Dr. Horner practices alongside Melissa Lamb, ARNP-BC, in the MHP Medical Group. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Horner, call 641.672.3360.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit mahaskahealth.org.
