Children With Asthma

Does your child have a persistent cough that just won’t go away?  Are regular cold remedies ineffective at making the “cold” better?  Perhaps you should check with your physician to see if your child could be suffering from asthma.

Approximately five to ten percent of children are affected by asthma.  Children who suffer from eczema or rhinitis have been found to have a higher chance of developing asthma.  There are many different ailments or diseases that can mimic the symptoms of asthma, and for that reason it’s a good idea to have your child’s condition diagnosed.  In addition to coughing, other symptoms of asthma can include shortness of breath, wheezing, and tiring during exercise.

With asthma, bronchial tubes tighten and constrict, produce mucus and get inflamed.  An inhaler can help to reverse these effects in many cases and give your child relief.  If your child has asthma, an important first step is to familiarize yourself with the triggers.  Common ones include: pollen, pet dander, dust, pollution, cold air, and stress.  Obviously, it is important to keep your child away from irritants, such as smoke, mold, pets, dust mites, etc.

If your child is diagnosed with asthma, you should learn to always be prepared for an asthma attack.  Always have your child’s inhaler on hand.  Keep in touch with your pediatrician regarding changes or problems.  Develop a daily routine for your child that encourages him or her to take their medication as prescribed.  There are different types of medication, some for short-term and some for long-term relief.  Many times, if your child does not seem to be responding to his or her asthma treatment, it could be that the medication prescribed is not being taken correctly.  Of utmost importance to your child is that you remain calm during attacks.  Having asthma is, in and of itself, stressful and worrisome, which can trigger an attack.  So try to be a calm port in a storm for your child when an attack occurs.

There are four types of asthma: Intermittent, Mild persistent, Moderate Persistent, Severe Persistent.

The doctor recommended checkup schedule is about every 6 to 12 months for intermittent or mild persistent asthma that has been under control for at least 3 months; every 3 to 4 months for moderate persistent asthma, and every 1 to 2 months for uncontrolled or severe persistent asthma.

A great resource for asthma in children is the WebMD site.  Following the link you will find information on management plans, overcoming obstacles to following the plan (i.e. fear and expectations), setting goals, and an example of an action plan and asthma diary.

Although it can be scary, it can also be managed with a little due diligence and your pediatrician’s help.  If you have a story you’d like to share about how you work with your child to treat his/her asthma, please share it with us.  You may be able to help another scared parent adjust to working through this disease.