1. Take a Deep Breath
That isn't always the easiest thing to do for children who suffer from asthma. It can be one of the signs that something isn't quite right. Asthma is a condition that causes the lungs to become inflamed, to swell and for the airways to become constricted and fill with mucus. It is the main cause of absenteeism from school for children and subsequently, their parents from work. The medicines used to treat the illness and the previously mentioned factor help to make the cost of treating asthma billions of dollars a year in the U.S. alone.
2. Don't Suffer in Silence
Asthma won't let them. Children's symptoms include excessive coughing, a wheezing or whistling sound when they breathe out and shortness of breath. Coughing can be worse at night, but this isn't the case every time. Other signs of asthma, especially in babies, are a gasping sound when nursing or taking a bottle and trouble feeding. Children may also feel tightness in their chest that they can't describe. Most young asthma sufferers develop the condition before age five, the majority of them before age three.
3. Lots of Tests to Do
Doctors test for asthma using a spirometer, a peak flow meter and plethysmography, among others, to determine if a child has asthma. A spirometer measures the openness of the airways to see how much air goes in and out. The peak flow meter is a device that measures the amount of air exhaled. Doctors may have a chest x-ray performed or plethysmography, which tells lung capacity and air volume.
4. Learn the Triggers
The most common trigger of asthma symptoms is allergies. Other triggers are viruses and respiratory infections, airborne irritants like cigarette smoke, pollen and dust, cold air, exercise and emotional stress. Be aware of your child's triggers and alert teachers, babysitters and other caregivers. Take precautions to avoid the onset of symptoms and asthma attacks.
5. Breathe Easy
Know that you're doing everything possible to manage your child's asthma. You will use nebulizers and inhalers with spacers to administer medicine to young children. You may also have more than one inhaler depending on the severity. One provides long-term control of their asthma and the other for fast relief. Use quick acting inhalers before exercise to prevent attacks. Protect against flare-ups during cold and flu season. Get flu vaccinations each year, keep them hydrated and use a steroid inhaler daily even if symptoms are not present. Check with your child's pediatrician regularly to ensure that they have the most effective treatment.
