Asthma and Active Kids - High Street Medical Clinic

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Helping Young Lungs Keep Up at School and Sport

For kids, school, playtime and sports should feel active and fun but for many families, asthma can add a layer of struggle and uncertainty.

At High Street Medical Clinic, we work with families every day to make breathing easier, not just at home, but in the classroom and in free time too.

Could It Be Asthma? Early Signs to Watch For

Asthma doesn’t always announce itself with loud wheezing. Some of the most common signs in children and teenagers include:

Frequent coughing, especially at night or after running
Shortness of breath during play or sport
A tight feeling in the chest
Fatigue after physical activity
Trouble keeping up with friends during exercise

Adults can notice similar symptoms, often brushing them off as being “under the weather” or “out of practice”, “just the time of year”.

In Australia, asthma affects around one in nine people, which means you’re far from alone if breathing feels harder than it should.

It’s that pollen again! High pollen levels can irritate already sensitive airways, leading to inflammation and tightening of the breathing tubes, which can bring on coughing, wheeze, or shortness of breath.

What Asthma Actually Is

Inside your lungs are branching airways that carry air in and out, like a tree turned upside down.

With asthma, these airways become sensitive and can swell, tighten, and fill with mucus, think a chesty cough.

This in turn, makes the space for air narrower, which is why breathing can feel tight or noisy.

Imagine breathing through a straw that’s been gently squeezed, air can still get through, but it takes more effort.

Symptoms often show up at night because airways naturally relax when we sleep, making them more likely to narrow.

During sport or play, faster breathing can dry and cool the airways, which can also trigger symptoms.

Sometimes, people confuse these symptoms with lung cancer, which is why we’ve listed 6 Things to Know About Lung Cancer.

If you’re worried, you’re not alone. Talk to us about simple and professional testing, or book an appointment.

Asthma Action Plans for Schools

An Asthma Action Plan is a written guide for teachers and staff that explains your child’s asthma, their usual medication, and exactly what to do if symptoms change. It helps to:

Reduce the risk of severe asthma attacks
Support safe participation in school and sports activities
Identify early warning signs of worsening asthma
Guide staff on when and how to give reliever medication
Make sure the right medication is given at the right time

High Street Medical Clinic is encouraging families to book an appointment for their child’s return-to-school Asthma Action Plan.

It’s a simple step that can make a big difference to your child’s confidence and safety.

How We Support Families at High Street Medical Clinic

Our independent doctors take time to get to know your child’s symptoms, triggers, and daily routine. During an appointment, we can:

Review and update your child’s Asthma Action Plan
Check inhaler technique and medication use (something that over time can fall away)
Provide school-ready documentation
Link asthma care with general child health and immunisation services

Spirometry for Adults (Breathing Isn’t Just a Kids’ Issue)

Asthma and reduced lung capacity don’t stop at the school gate.

If you notice ongoing breathlessness, coughing, or trouble exercising, a spirometry test can help.

What is spirometry testing? It’s a simple lung function test that measures how much air you can breathe in and out, and how fast. The test involves taking a deep breath and blowing firmly into a mouthpiece. It’s repeated a few times, sometimes before and after using a reliever inhaler, to see how your lungs respond.

The results can be for guiding personalised treatment.