Community Pediatric Asthma Service

question 35

Might not be Asthma?

There are symptoms that look like asthma, but are not asthma and you could have more than one of them…

"Does my child have asthma?"
is a very common question we are asked.

Allergies

It is easy to confuse asthma and allergies. Be sure you know the difference and are treating each one to get the best result.

Resources:

  • Asthma or Allergies? How to know the difference.
  • Prescription Options: Combination medicine (antihistamine + nasal steroid spray) 

Colds/Flu

Colds and flu symptoms can look like asthma. 

               Cold/Flu                                                    Asthma
· Runny nose                                        · May notice wheezing, tight chest
· Cough with phlegm                             or shortness of breath 
· Sore, achy body                                · Cough, but usually dry
· Symptoms do not respond to          · Symptoms respond to reliever
  reliever medicine (blue                       medicine (blue puffer)
  puffer)

Habit Cough

Habit or psychogenic coughs are persistent coughs that don't have a physical cause.  The cough is usually a habit which has developed after an infection or another issue has caused the child to cough.  The child simply keeps coughing after the initial cause has disappeared.  

Resources:

Rhinitis/Post Nasal Drip

Rhinitis/Post Nasal Drip are other terms used to describe swelling and irritation in your nose caused by allergic (things you are allergic to) and non-allergic (not caused by things you are allergic to eg. dry air, infection).  

Resources: 

Gastroesphageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Abnormal “backflow” also known as reflux, of stomach juices into the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach.

Experts are still debating whether GERD makes asthma worse or if GERD triggers asthma.

Resources:

Eosiniphilic Oesaphagitis (EoE)

Swelling or irritation of the esophagus – the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach when white blood cells called eosinophils are in the tube.

Resources:

Dysfunctional Breathing (DB), Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO), Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO), Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion (PVFM) and Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) are all different terms used to describe the same problem
- when vocal cords close when you breathe in.

Dysfunctional Breathing (DB)

Dysfunctional Breathing (DB), is also known as disordered breathing.

Resources:

Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO)

Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO) is a condition where your vocal cords close with intense exercise.  It can be mistaken as exercise-induced asthma. 

Resources:

Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO)


Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO)  is another term used to describe Exercise-Induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) or Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD).

Resources: 

Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion (PVFM)

Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion (PVFM), also known as Paradoxical Vocal Cord Dysfunction (PVCD).

Resources:

Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)

Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) is often mistaken as asthma.

Resources:

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If you have specific questions, please consult your doctor or appropriate health care professional.

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