Does wheezing sound mean asthma?

[banyan_kitty]

My son had wheezing sounds for twice in the past 5 months due to colds.  And his doctor thought those were asthma attacks.  Is it really true that wheezing = asthma?

Thanks!

[banyan_kitty]

Thanks again!  I just took my son to see the his allergist for a follow-up yesterday.  His sinus is having an infection, so he is on anti-biotic for 4 days.  I think the nose causes some of the coughing issue recently.  So I will see if the medicine helps a little bit.  The doctor also suggested to take SINGULAIR for 2-3 months. Not sure if that will really help.  I will try 2-3 weeks at least.  I haven't got a referral to a ped pulmo. I will ask for one if he still coughs after using the anti-biotic and SINGULAIR.

Thanks!

[bsmsl]

Hello again.  

It is good to hear that the daytime coughing is controlled.  One other thing to discus with his doctor is the possibility of GERD.  Night coughing and coughing when you first get up are some of the symptoms.  

Did you get a referral to a ped pulmo?

God bless.
Sonya

[banyan_kitty]

Thanks for all of your inputs!  They're really informative.  

He still coughs some. He usually coughs after he wakes up in the morning or during night.  It was very weird last night.  He didn't cough during the whole day, but as soon as he lied down on the bed at night, he started coughing and just couldn't stop. He didn't have difficulty breathing but just constantly coughing for a long time.  His nose has stuffed in the morning for the past couple of days.  We have used the nasal wash both in the morning and night and they seem to help him a lot.  We will watch for another two days, if he still coughs, we will see his ped again and ask for a referral for a ped pulmonologist.

[devin_f]

Wheezing could be asthma, but its really important you have your child evaluated by a doctor. Asthma runs in my family so believe me, it's important to have your child tested and diagnosed sooner rather than later. Best of luck! I hope your child feels better.

[geminigirl1963]

I agree that a consult with a pediatric pulmonologist is a good idea.  You may also want to have him checked by a pediatric ear nose and throat doctor.  Sometimes, underlying tonsil troubles can cause a child to catch more colds or sore throats than other children.  Sometimes having the tonsils (and sometimes adenoids) removed can help.

Wheezing does not always indiciate asthma and vice versa - you can have an asthma attack where wheezing is not the main symptom.  Coughing can sometimes be the main symptom of an asthma attack (but again, a persistent cough does not necessarily mean he has asthma)

As bsmsl stated, a child's airways are smaller than an adults and the wheezing sound is caused by a reduction in those airways either from excess mucous or inflammation - or a combination of both.

Since your son has just finished the course of the preventative medication the pediatrician prescribed and pretty much immediately got sick again, most definitely call his pediatrician and let him know.  This COULD be an indication that he does have an asthma problem (as opposed to a viral or infection related wheezing).  The pediatrician may want to keep him on the medication for a while longer - or at least until the other specialists can be seen.

I hope your little one starts feeling better soon.  It's no fun being sick any time, but especially during the summer!

[achilles2]

Besides asthma you might want to also get him checked for food allergies. My sister cannot have gluten and when she does it causes her to have an asthma attack. She also cannot have sunflower seed or oil which is in practically everything. Our allergest immunologist told us that many people cannot have sunflower seeds because they are part of the rag weed family.

If he has food allergies that could be the reason he continually catches a cold.
I hope this helps,
achilles2

[banyan_kitty]

Thanks for your reply!  His pediatrician did prescribe an asthma control medication for 3 months, and he just finished that course at the end of June.  But now he got cold again and started coughing a lot...not sure if I give him the breathing treatment again immediately.  And we did go to see an allergist and did many allergy tests, but all negative. Maybe we should go to see a pediatric pulmonologist too.  

[bsmsl]

Oh, thank you so much for giving us his age.  It helps a lot.

Small children (under 8) tend to be wheezey in general.  Their airways are smaller and noisier than adult's.  I have heard that many doctors will not give a diagnosis of asthma in children under 8 years old.  

If it continues, he should be evaluated by his doctor, but unless there are allergies and/or asthma in your family, I would doubt it is asthma at this point.  It is always best to discus it with your doctor though.

Many doctors will prescribe a month of asthma medications to treat a lingering cold in some patients.  This just helps them get over the symptoms faster.  Don't be surprised if his doctor does that.  It still doesn't mean that he has asthma.  

If you feel you need an acurate diagnosis, you may want to request an evaluation by an allergist or a pediatric pulmonologist.

God bless.

[banyan_kitty]

forgot to say, he is 5.