Christus Health: The Children's Hospital of San Antonio

To schedule your child's appointment with a pulmonologist, call 1.844.778.KIDS or visit chofsa.org/findadoc. Attack ON Asthma Roughly 20 million Americans have asthma — and almost one-third of them are children. Children are more susceptible to asthma due to their developing immune systems and smaller airways. "Preschool-age children often develop asthma from recurrent episodes of viral-induced wheezing, which they often get from daycare or other places where children are exposed to other children," says Kelly Smith, MD, pediatric pulmonologist at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio. "As children get older, asthma can often be allergy- or exercise-induced." Raising the Bar "It's important for a provider to raise parents' and children's expectations," Dr. Smith says. "Twenty to 30 years ago, if you had asthma, you had to sit on the sidelines. These days, there's almost no reason that a child with asthma shouldn't become an Olympic athlete if he or she has that talent. If a child's breathing slows before their muscles get tired, that's a sign of asthma that is not controlled. With today's medical advances, a child can easily manage asthma and participate in the activities he or she loves." Consistency Is Key "A problem we see with children who have asthma is they stop taking their medications when they start to feel better," Dr. Smith says. "Like dental care, asthma is all about prevention. It's important to take medication consistently." "I suggest my patients take their controller medication when they brush their teeth." Dr. Smith continues,"This makes it an easy part of their daily routine that almost becomes second nature." Scan the QR Code to watch this video about asthma and how to treat it. 4 Forever First | Summer 2016 • To find a physician, call 1.844.778.KIDS. Q. What are the most common food allergies, along with possible symptoms? Dr. Gonzalez-Reyes: The common eight — eggs, milk, soy, wheat, fish, shrimp, tree nuts, and peanuts — cause symptoms like hives, itchiness, tightness of throat, vomiting, and diarrhea, usually within the first 15 minutes after ingesting. Q. What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance? Dr. Gonzalez-Reyes: Allergies always result in the same symptoms. With food intolerance — lactose intolerance, for example — a child's stomach may be upset, but there will be no reason to seek medical attention. Q. If a child has a possible food allergy, what should parents do? Dr. Gonzalez-Reyes: At the first sign of a symptom, remove the food and schedule an allergist appointment. After testing, the allergist team can talk with you and your child to discuss the results and treatment steps. They can offer counseling about food labels and cooking alternatives, like baking eggless birthday cakes. There are so many options out there that allow your child to enjoy food and live a normal life. Kelly Smith, MD Learn to identify food allergies and use better food prep practices with the help of Erika Gonzalez-Reyes, MD, section chief of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio. Facing Food Allergies Does your child have food sensitivity? Call 1.844.778.KIDS or visit chofsa.org/findadoc to schedule an appointment with an allergist. Erika Gonzalez-Reyes, MD

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