Asthma is a chronic disease which is affecting all age groups. It’s a hyper responsiveness of the airway to certain stimulus such as allergens, stress etc. It starts early in childhood and has symptoms of cough, breathlessness and chest tightness. Most important investigation being spirometry that guides for diagnosis as well as treatment.

There is rise in the incidence of asthma in school going children which is of concern as its symptoms leads to absentees in school. This affects the social and psychological development of the child. Lack of awareness in parents let the symptoms to get worsen. The best available treatment is inhalation therapy which is safe as needed in micrograms and almost devoid of any long term side effects. Because of lack of awareness about availability of a very effective treatment in asthma people continue to suffer blaming their fate. While truth is that by controlling your asthma one can lead a normal active life.

But how to find out whether your child’s asthma is under control? Well, take the following Asthma Control Test and find out now:

How to take the test?

  • Step 1:  Let the child respond to the first four questions (1 to 4). If your child needs help reading or understanding the question, you may help but let your child select the response. Complete the remaining three questions (5 to 7) on your own and without letting your child’s response influence your answers.
  • Step 2:   Do scoring of the responses.
  • Step 3:  The total score is to be added.
  • Step 4: The score is to be discussed with the concerned doctor.

Childhood Asthma Control Test (For children 4 to 11 years old)

How is your asthma today?

  • Very Bad - 0
  • Bad - 1
  • Good - 2
  • Very good - 3

How much of a problem is your asthma when you run, exercise or play sports?

  • It’s a big problem; I can’t do what I want to do - 0
  • It’s a problem and I don’t like it. - 1
  • It’s a little problem but it’s ok. - 2
  • It’s not a problem.          

Do you cough because of your asthma?

  • Yes, all the time – 0
  • Yes, most of the time – 1
  • Yes, some of the time – 2
  • No, none of the time – 3

Do you wake up during night because of Asthma?

  • Yes, all of the time – 0
  • Yes, most of the time – 1
  • Yes, some of the time – 2
  • No, none of the time – 3

During the last 4 weeks, how many days did your child have any daytime asthma symptoms?

  • Not at all – 5
  • 1-3 days – 4
  • 4-10 days – 3
  • 11-18 days – 2
  • 19-24 days – 1
  • Everyday – 0

During the last 4 weeks, how many days did your child wheeze during the day because of asthma?

  • Not at all – 5
  • 1-3 days – 4
  • 4-10 days – 3
  • 11-18 days – 2
  • 19-24 days – 1
  • Everyday – 0

During the last 4 weeks, how many did your child wake up during the night because of asthma?

  • Not at all – 5
  • 1-3 days – 4
  • 4-10 days – 3
  • 11-18 days – 2
  • 19-24 days – 1
  • Everyday – 0

Interpretation of score:

  • 19 or less:

If your child’s score is 19 or less, it may be a sign that your child’s asthma is not controlled as well as it could be. Make an appointment to discuss the results obtained on this Childhood Asthma Control Test with your child’s doctor and ask if your child’s asthma treatment plan should be changed. Ask your child’s doctor about daily long term medications that can help control airway inflammation and constriction, the two main causes of asthma symptoms. Many children may need to treat both of these on a daily basis for the best asthma control.

  • 20 or more:

If your child’s score is 20 or more, your child’s asthma may be under control. There are other factors that your child’s doctor may consider when assessing your child’s asthma control. Asthma is unpredictible.Your asthma symptoms may seem mild or nonexistent but they can flare up at any time. Have your child take the Childhood Asthma Control Test periodically no matter how good your child feels. Continue to have your child see the doctor on a regular basis to make sure your child’s asthma is treated as we as it can be.

Every child has right to effective asthma treatment that can control their asthma. If not the treatment your child is receiving needs to be changed. You should go and talk to your doctor about this. If not contact an asthma specialist.

With the help of above test one can know the status of the child. As of today many recent medications are available to keep asthma under control.  It’s important “to have your asthma under control than to have your asthma control you.”