Asthma
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What to Expect at Your First Appointment at the Asthma Center

At Cincinnati Children’s, we specialize in providing care for children with asthma that is difficult to treat or especially complex. If you are visiting our clinic, you have already been working with your child’s pediatrician to control asthma symptoms, and you need help. You can feel confident that we’re here to help you and your child every step of the way. Your child has likely undergone many tests already, but we want to make sure our diagnosis is thorough so we can find the best treatment plan.

Making an Appointment at the Asthma Center

We want it to be easy for you to get the care your child needs. You can fill out a form requesting more information or contact us directly to schedule an appointment. Or your child’s pediatrician or provider can refer your child to our center. We also take referrals from our Emergency Department and other hospitals.

The Asthma Center at Cincinnati Children’s has four clinic locations:

On the Day of Your Visit to the Asthma Center

Arriving At Your Appointment

You will need to arrive about 30 minutes before your child’s appointment. This will allow 15 minutes to park and walk to our clinic, and 15 minutes to check in at our registration desk.

If you are running late, please contact us.

At Your Appointment

Every patient’s first appointment is different. Our goal is to gather as much detail about your child’s condition as possible so we can develop an appropriate treatment plan. During your appointment, you’ll meet the team that will care for your child. We may order some or all of the following:

Allergy testing
Bronchoscopy
Exercise induced asthma test
Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO)
Full lung function testing
Infant pulmonary function test (iPFT)
Methacholine challenge test
Impedance probe
Swallow study
Sleep study
Spirometry before and after albuterol
X-rays and CT scans

After Your Visit to the Asthma Center

You will receive an “After Visit Summary” at the end of your appointment. It will include important details about upcoming appointments, test results, referrals to specialists, and all medications (including new prescriptions). It also will include contact information for your child’s care team. It is also helpful if you can sign up for MyChart as this is a convenient way to contact our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition involving the airways. All asthmatics experience variable, but widespread narrowing of the airways or bronchial tubes. The narrowing results from swelling of the airway lining, increased mucus production, tightening of the muscles around the airways and accumulation of inflammatory cells in the airway. This narrowing causes cough, wheeze and shortness of breath. Learn more about asthma causes, symptoms and treatment.

When should my child see an asthma specialist?

Your child should see an asthma specialist if he/she:

Has poorly controlled asthma
Has needed treatment with oral steroids (prednisone) more than once in the past year
Has daytime or nighttime symptoms every week
Has trouble breathing during activity/playing
Is missing days of school because of asthma
Had to visit the emergency room or hospital more than once in the past year
Needed to be in the intensive care unit for breathing issues
Is not responding to or is having side effects from medications

How do I know if my child’s asthma is controlled?

Well controlled asthma means all of the following:

Minimal or no asthma symptoms (cough, wheezing or shortness of breath) on a day to day basis
Minimal or no acute asthma episodes or attacks (including ER visits or hospitalizations)
Not requiring oral steroids (prednisone) more than once per year
No limitations on activities or school attendance
No more than twice a week use of quick acting rescue medicines such as albuterol
Normal lung function when well

An easy way to see if your child’s asthma is under control is to take the Asthma Control Test.

My child’s asthma is active only when he has a cold. Does he need to take asthma medicine every day?

In some cases, no. Some young children who have a form of asthma that is only active when the child has a viral respiratory infection (common cold) can be managed with medications used just at the time of illness. This type of plan does not work for every child; your asthma specialist will help decide if this plan is right for your child.

What causes asthma?

The basic cause of asthma is not yet known, but the condition probably results from chronic inflammation in the airways. About 9 million American children have asthma, and the number of people who have asthma is increasing worldwide. Asthma is not contagious. However, asthma does run in families and is thought to have a genetic cause. There are many different types of asthma, ranging from mild to moderate to severe.

What makes asthma worse, and what triggers asthma?

Certain things – called triggers – can cause asthma attacks or make asthma worse. Staying away from or getting rid of triggers can help control asthma symptoms. Learn more about reducing asthma triggers in your home.

What conditions are associated with asthma?

Children who have allergies to elements of the environment such as pollen, animals, mold, dust and food are more likely to have asthma. Children with eczema are more likely to develop asthma.
Asthma is more likely to develop in children who were born prematurely or those that have a close family history of allergic conditions.

Can you outgrow asthma?

Some children stop having asthma as they get older, but in the majority of cases, asthma is a lifelong, chronic disease that requires ongoing treatment. The symptoms of asthma usually come and go, but even when the cough and wheezing are gone, the asthma is not gone. Just because a child with asthma is feeling fine and isn’t noticing any symptoms for a few weeks or months does not mean he or she does not have asthma. Remember, asthma can be controlled, but not cured.

Are asthma medications dangerous or addictive?

Asthma medications are not addictive and your child will not become “immune” to the beneficial effects by using them regularly. Asthma is different in every patient, and symptoms can change over time. The doctor will determine which asthma medication is best. All medications have potential side effects, and your child should be monitored by you and your physician. However, at recommended doses, asthma medications are safe when used properly.

Should my child take his asthma medications even though he is feeling better?

Yes. Please remember asthma does not go away just because the symptoms go away. Some medications, called controllers, need to be taken daily to control asthma. If your child needs daily preventative asthma medication, but does not always take it, then asthma symptoms can worsen and may cause a serious asthma attack. You must keep monitoring and taking care of your child’s asthma at all times.

Can asthma be cured?

Asthma cannot be cured, but with treatment, it can be controlled.

My child’s pediatrician manages her asthma. Why does she need to see a specialist?

The doctors and nurses in the Asthma Center have specialized expertise in pediatric asthma and other lung diseases that are sometimes mistaken for asthma. An asthma specialist can help when children have difficult to control asthma, identify and treat other medical conditions that make asthma worse, and can use tools and tests that are not available to the general pediatrician. We are knowledgeable about the latest developments in asthma research and the care of pediatric asthma. Our multi-disciplinary team provides a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s breathing, including state-of-the-art diagnostic testing, in order to provide the best individualized treatment plan to manage your child’s asthma.

The treatment plan that is developed will be shared with your pediatrician or family doctor; we recognize that s/he is an important part of your child’s asthma care.

Can I get a second opinion without traveling to Cincinnati?

Yes. Online second opinions are available to families and patients outside the Greater Cincinnati area (southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana). A specialist from the Asthma Center team will review your case and answer specific questions about a diagnosis or treatment options. It’s easy, convenient, and secure. Our case manager will collect your medical records and guide you through the process.

Online second opinions are typically not covered by insurance and cost $850. There may be additional fees if a radiology or pathology specialist needs to review your records. The program is not available in all areas or for every patient, we will work with you to make sure it’s appropriate for you.

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