Whether a child is wheezing or not can be distinguished from observation of respiratory rate, water intake method, chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests.
1. Observation of respiratory rate: Observation of respiratory rate is the most intuitive judgment, if the child’s respiratory rate is rapid, and even accompanied by open-mouth large mouth exhalation or inhalation, it means that the child wheezing.
2. Drinking water: Let your child drink some water, slowly and in small sips. If the child does not have a cough and shortness of breath, it is normal, if the cough is strong, then you need to consult a doctor.
3. Chest X-ray examination: Chest X-ray examination can observe whether the child has external lung parenchymal lesions, congenital anomalies, foreign body signs, etc. If the child has shortness of breath, both lungs can be examined. If the child is short of breath, a rumbling sound can be heard in both lungs, mainly in expiration.
4. Pulmonary function tests: For children with suspected asthma with FEV1 ≥ 70% of normal predicted value, bronchial provocation test can be chosen to determine airway responsiveness, and for children with suspected asthma with FEV1 ≤ 70% of normal predicted value, bronchodilator test can be chosen to assess the reversibility of airflow limitation. Both a positive bronchial provocation test and a positive bronchodilator test contribute to the diagnosis of asthma.
When a child develops wheezing, parents should take their child to a regular hospital for a doctor’s examination and treatment.