Asthma and lung function tests for children

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a long-term inflammatory condition of the airways. Asthma symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath occur when the muscles around the airways tighten. This narrowing occurs when an individual is exposed to a certain trigger. In some way this may be due to allergies, smoke, a cold or virus or exercise. The walls inside the airways become irritated and swollen and extra mucous is present.

Does your child have Asthma?

Your child may have Asthma if he or she; sometimes wheezes, coughs or struggles to breathe when wheezing, has a cough at night and/or has a close blood relative with allergic skin rashes, hay fever or Asthma.

Every child suffering from Asthma should have their own Asthma action plan. Speak to your GP or Paediatrician about the appropriateness of a spirometry or complex lung function test.

Why have a spirometry test at the John Flynn Respiratory Lab?

Spirometry is a breathing test which can be useful to find the reason why a child is short of breath, coughing or wheezing. We have especially trained Respiratory Scientists with Blue Cards to perform the test. We have colourful visual displays to help the child feel at ease and make the appointment as fun and as interactive as possible.

Did you know...

• 1 out of every 9 Australian children suffer from Asthma
• Asthma related deaths amongst children have risen since 2006
• In 2010, Asthma caused the deaths of 416 Australians
• Queensland has the highest incidence of asthma in Australia