Medical Questions » Asthma Questions » Question No. 98
| Question: | I took my son to the doctor with a cough, and she said that he had asthma. I can' t believe that this is true. Why would my son develop asthma at the age of 12? |
| Answer: | Asthma can develop at any age, but the most common times ate at about 2 years, 5 to 7 years of age and at puberty (12 to 14 years).
Asthma may be triggered by infections (eg. common colds), allergies, exercise, temperature changes, emotional changes or hormonal changes (different times of the month in women). One of the most common presenting symptoms in children is a persistent dry cough.
Once asthma is diagnosed, attacks may occur regularly, seasonally, or very rarely. If regular attacks occur, medication will be given to prevent them. If attacks are infrequent, medication can be used when required.
It is very important to receive adequate treatment for asthma, to seek further help if the cough or wheeze continues, and to follow your doctors instructions carefully. Poorly treated asthma can lead to growth retardation and other long-term problems. |
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