How can i tell if my 8 year old has asthma?

See below: If your child seems to get more sick than others with upper respiratory colds and has trouble breathing or excessive dry coughing with the illness or if they have allergies or ezcema which is associated with asthma, or if there is excessive cough and respiratory issues associated with exercise (starting 20 minutes or so into the exercise) theses signs may lead you toward the asthma direction.

Symptoms, testing: The common symptoms are recurrent episodes of cough, wheeze, chest tightness or shortness of breath that worsens at night, exercise or with colds. A breathing test called spirometry is simple and easy and provide much information on lung function. Even if symptoms are few, asthma may be significant. Don't rely on symptoms alone!