Asthma in children

Asthma in Children in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Asthma is a common long-term condition in children across West Michigan, including here in Grand Rapids. Understanding your child’s asthma and knowing how to manage it can help them stay healthy, active, and safe in every season—especially through our cold, dry winters.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma affects the airways—the breathing tubes that carry air from the nose and mouth down into the lungs. In a child with asthma:

The muscles around the airways tighten
The lining inside the airways becomes swollen and inflamed
The airways make extra thick, sticky mucus

All of this makes the breathing tubes narrower, which makes it harder for your child to breathe.

Common Asthma Symptoms in Children

Asthma can cause:

Coughing (often worse at night or early morning)
Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness or pain
- Young children may say they have a “sore tummy” instead of chest pain

Asthma is one of the most common reasons children in Grand Rapids visit their pediatrician, miss school, or need urgent care or hospital treatment.

Asthma in Grand Rapids: Local Factors

Around 1 in 10 American children have asthma. In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, certain local factors can trigger or worsen asthma:

Cold, dry winter air (especially when playing or walking outside)
Seasonal pollen in spring and summer
Indoor allergens when kids spend more time inside in winter (dust mites, pet dander, mold)
Air pollution near busy roads or industrial areas
Smoke exposure, including second-hand cigarette or vape smoke

If your child’s asthma is well controlled, they should still be able to enjoy outdoor activities in all four seasons—sledding in winter, playing sports in spring, and swimming in summer.

What Causes Asthma in Children?

We don’t know exactly why some children develop asthma and others do not. However, your child is more likely to have asthma if they:

Have family members with asthma, allergies, eczema, or hay fever
Were born prematurely
Were born with a low birth weight
Are regularly around air pollution or smoke (including second-hand smoke)
Are often exposed to mold or damp housing

In Grand Rapids, older homes and basements can sometimes have moisture and mold issues, which may trigger asthma in sensitive children.

Learning About Your Child’s Asthma

There is a lot to think about and plan for when your child has asthma. The more you understand, the better you can help keep them healthy.

You need to know:

What makes your child’s asthma worse (their triggers)
What early signs show they are having breathing trouble
What medicines they need and how to use them correctly
What to do if they have a serious flare-up or asthma attack
How to use asthma first aid and follow their asthma action plan

Your child’s doctor and pharmacist in Grand Rapids are there to support you. Ask them any questions you have about your child’s asthma or medications.

Asthma Is Different for Every Child

Asthma does not look the same in every child.

Different Asthma Patterns

Some children only have symptoms:
- After exercise
- When they have a cold or the flu
- During certain seasons (for example, spring pollen in West Michigan)
Others have symptoms most days or nights

Even if your child usually has mild symptoms, they can still have a serious asthma flare-up that needs urgent treatment.

Asthma Triggers in Children

Asthma triggers are things that can start or worsen asthma symptoms. Triggers are different for each child, and symptoms can appear hours after exposure, which can make them hard to identify.

Common Asthma Triggers in Grand Rapids Children

Cigarette or vape smoke, including second-hand smoke
Colds and flu (common during Michigan’s winter months)
Indoor and outdoor air pollution
Allergies, such as:
- Dust mites
- Pets (cats, dogs, etc.)
- Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds
- Mold (especially in damp basements or bathrooms)
Cold, dry air (typical of West Michigan winters)
Exercise or vigorous play

Children may have more than one trigger, and your child’s triggers may be different from another child’s.

Once you know your child’s triggers, it becomes easier to avoid or reduce exposure to them.

Symptoms of Asthma in Children

Common asthma symptoms include:

Coughing (especially at night or early morning)
Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing out)
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
Chest tightness or pain
Tiredness or trouble keeping up with other kids during play or sports

Your child may have all of these symptoms or only a few. Symptoms are often worse:

At night
In the early morning
During or after exercise
During colds or the flu
After exposure to triggers (such as pets, pollen, mold, or smoke)

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Take your child to a doctor if:

You are concerned about any breathing problems
They have frequent coughing or wheezing
Their cough is worse at night or early in the morning
They seem to get “chest colds” often
They often get short of breath with normal play or sports

Keep a Symptom Record

Keeping track of symptoms can help your child’s doctor make a diagnosis and create the best treatment plan. Record:

When the symptoms happen (time of day, season)
How bad the symptoms are and how often they happen
How long the symptoms last and whether they change over time
Whether symptoms are worse:
- After exercise or playing
- After colds or flu
- After being around animals
- Around pollen or mold
Any videos or audio of your child’s breathing (recorded on your phone)

How Asthma Is Diagnosed in Children

Diagnosing asthma in children younger than 5 can be difficult, because many young children wheeze or cough with viral illnesses. Your doctor in Grand Rapids may consider asthma if:

Wheezing happens more than once, with or without an illness
Your child has constant or frequent coughing, especially at night
Symptoms improve with asthma medicines
There is a family history of asthma, allergies, eczema, or hay fever

Spirometry (Breathing Test)

For school-aged children, your doctor may order a breathing test called spirometry. This:

Involves breathing hard and fast into a machine
Measures how well your child’s lungs are working
Is not painful, but does require effort and cooperation

Your doctor may also refer you to a children’s asthma specialist at local centers such as:

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Spectrum Health / Corewell Health)
Trinity Health Grand Rapids
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
Other pediatric pulmonology clinics in the Grand Rapids area

Managing Your Child’s Asthma

The main goals of asthma management are:

To keep your child’s lungs as healthy as possible
To keep symptoms under control
To prevent flare-ups or attacks
To stop asthma from interfering with school, sports, or play

Your child’s doctor will help you create a plan that may include:

Daily or as-needed medications
Regular follow-up appointments
A written asthma action plan

With good management, most children in Grand Rapids with asthma can safely play sports, enjoy recess, and participate in outdoor activities year-round.

Asthma Action Plans for Children

What Is an Asthma Action Plan?

An asthma action plan is a written set of instructions for managing your child’s asthma. It is prepared with your child’s doctor and should include:

A list of your child’s usual asthma medicines
Signs that your child’s asthma is getting worse
What to do when you see those warning signs
When to give more reliever medicine
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
What to do in an asthma emergency
The name and contact details of the person who prepared the plan
The date the plan was last updated

Who Needs a Copy?

Everyone who cares for your child should have a copy of their asthma action plan, including:

You and other caregivers at home
School (Grand Rapids Public Schools or other districts)
Preschool, daycare, childcare centers, and after-school programs
Sports coaches and activity leaders

Your doctor should review and update your child’s asthma action plan at least once a year, or whenever their medicines change.

Keep a paper copy on your fridge and consider taking a clear photo of the plan on your phone so you always have it with you.

Asthma Medications for Children

Almost all asthma medications for children come in the form of an inhaler (also called a puffer). There are two main types:

1. Reliever Medications

Relievers:

Are taken when your child is showing signs or symptoms of asthma
Work quickly to relax the muscles around the airways
Help relieve wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath

Reliever inhalers should be available to your child at all times—at home, school, daycare, and during sports or activities.

2. Preventer Medications

Preventers:

Are taken daily to reduce inflammation in the airways
Help prevent asthma symptoms and flare-ups over time
Are not required for all young children with asthma

Your doctor will decide whether your child needs a preventer based on:

How often they have symptoms
How severe their symptoms are
Whether they have had serious asthma attacks

Important Safety Notes

Never reduce or stop your child’s asthma medicines without talking to their doctor.
If you are worried about side effects, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before making changes.

Spacers: Helping Medicine Reach the Lungs

All children with asthma should use a spacer with their inhaler, especially young children.

A spacer:

Is an empty plastic container that attaches to the inhaler
Has its own mouthpiece (and sometimes a mask)
Helps more medicine reach deep inside the lungs
Reduces the amount of medicine that stays in the mouth and throat

How Your Child Uses a Spacer

The inhaler is fitted into one end of the spacer
Your child breathes the medicine in through the mouthpiece
Babies and younger children may need a face mask attached to the spacer
- The mask fits snugly over the mouth and nose to prevent medicine from leaking out

If you’re having trouble getting your child to use their inhaler or spacer, talk to your Grand Rapids pharmacist or your child’s doctor. They can show you techniques and tips to make it easier.

Side Effects of Asthma Medications

Asthma medicines have been prescribed to children all over the world for many years, so doctors know a lot about their possible side effects.

Preventer Inhalers (Steroid Inhalers)

Common side effects can include:

Hoarse voice
Sore mouth or throat
Oral thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth and throat)

You can greatly reduce these risks by:

Using a spacer
Having your child rinse their mouth or brush their teeth after using their preventer inhaler

Preventer Tablets (e.g., Montelukast)

In some children, montelukast can cause:

Sleep problems or nightmares
Behavior changes, irritability, or tantrums
Mood changes, including feeling sad

If you notice any of these changes in your child, contact your doctor.

Reliever Inhalers

Common side effects can include:

Fast heartbeat
Trembling or shakiness
Headache

If you are concerned about any side effects, speak to your doctor. Do not stop or change the dose of medicine without medical advice.

Asthma Emergencies in Children

Asthma attacks can become life-threatening if not treated quickly. Knowing the signs of an asthma emergency and what to do can save your child’s life.

Signs of an Asthma Emergency

Call 911 immediately if your child:

Is finding it very hard to breathe or is not breathing at all
Has trouble speaking or can only say a few words at a time between breaths
Has blue or gray lips or face
Has symptoms that get worse very quickly
Is very tired, confused, or drowsy
Is not improving with their reliever medicine, or no reliever is available

An asthma attack can quickly turn into an emergency. If symptoms of an asthma attack appear, follow your child’s asthma action plan right away.

What to Do in an Asthma Emergency

Follow your child’s asthma action plan for emergency steps.
Call 911 for an ambulance if symptoms are severe or not improving.
Tell emergency responders that your child has asthma.
Give them a copy or photo of your child’s asthma action plan.
Continue to give reliever medicine as directed in the plan until help arrives.

In Grand Rapids, emergency care for children with severe asthma is available at:

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (downtown Grand Rapids)
Trinity Health Grand Rapids Emergency Department
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Emergency Department

Asthma and School, Daycare, or Childcare in Grand Rapids

To help teachers and childcare staff look after your child with asthma:

Provide the school, preschool, or childcare center with:
- A copy of your child’s asthma action plan
- A spacer and reliever inhaler labeled with your child’s name
Make sure staff know:
- What your child’s triggers are
- What early signs of asthma your child shows
- What to do if your child has symptoms or an asthma attack
Update the school or center if:
- Your child’s medicines change
- Your child’s asthma gets better or worse

Most Grand Rapids schools and childcare centers require asthma plans and medications as part of enrollment for children with asthma.

Getting Care in Grand Rapids When You Need It

If your child needs asthma care today and it is not life-threatening:

Contact your GP/pediatrician or family doctor
Use local urgent care clinics (many Spectrum Health, Trinity Health, and Metro Health locations offer extended hours)
Call nurse advice lines if available through your health system or insurance

In a life-threatening emergency, always call 911.

Local Asthma & Public Health Resources (Grand Rapids / Kent County)

For education, support, and community health information, you can connect with:

Kent County Health Department
Offers local public health information, including air quality alerts and seasonal health advice.
Grand Rapids Public Health resources
Check city and county websites for asthma and allergy education programs.
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
Provides pediatric asthma clinics, education programs, and videos to help you better understand and manage your child’s asthma.

Your child’s healthcare team may also refer you to local asthma educators or allergy specialists in the Grand Rapids area.

Key Points About Asthma in Children

Asthma causes the muscles around the airways to tighten and the lining to swell and produce sticky mucus.
This makes the breathing tubes narrow and makes it hard for your child to breathe.
Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
Asthma is a leading reason children in Grand Rapids and across the U.S. visit doctors, miss school, or go to the hospital.
Learning as much as you can about your child’s asthma—and having a clear asthma action plan—helps keep them safe, active, and thriving in every Michigan season.