Five Tips for Raising an Asthmatic Child

Asthma is a reactive airway disease that is very common in most children more so than adults. Breathing difficulties lead to unbearable wheezing and coughing and forces a child to take prescribed inhalers or in most cases, use a machine called a nebulizer. A nebulizer is a machine used to administer medicines such as albuterol in the form of utilizing it in the home versus going to the hospital every time an attack occurs.

Asthma can be manageable for children if a parent knows the peak season when their child is prone to having an attack. Using a peak flow meter can help monitor when a child is going to have his or her next attack. It can provide details in terms of how to prevent the attack and also when to start treatment methods early on that will help prevent an attack. Seeking assistance from a pediatrician to ensure a proper peak flow meter is utilized is essential.

Having an action plan for your child's school is important. Children need to know not to be afraid when they are about to have an asthma attack at school. Prepare with your child a readiness plan that first teaches your child to not panic. The school nurse will need appropriate consent to be able to administer medicine for your child in any event. Providing the school nurse with specific details as to what your child's pediatrician's name is, history of allergies and the nearest hospital to take your child to in case of an unmanageable attack is imperative. Provide all contact numbers for your child's teacher as well as for the nurse.

Certain exercises and activities will not be enjoyable depending on the severity of your child's normal asthma attacks. It is okay to lessen your child's anxiety by introducing him or her to activities that require less strenuous actions. An all day sport such as football and soccer may or may not work for a child with severe asthma. Your child needs to be introduced to other sports such as golf or softball, sports that require none or little running. It is best to have your child avoid sports or physical activities in asthma-triggering weather such as rainy, muggy or humid.

Are you a smoker? Smoking around your child is an absolute no-no. Second-hand smoke is just as dangerous as smoking the cigarette yourself, so why endanger your asthmatic child by smoking? It is your choice if you want to continue to smoke, but do realize that this too, can cause your child to have an asthma attack. Coughing and wheezing is a huge factor here and for the sake of your child, you should look into the various ways to quit smoking.

Keep dust and pesky bugs to a minimum in your household. Wash your child's linen and pillows weekly. This avoids any dust they may breathe throughout the night, which can trigger an attack. Insect allergens can trigger an asthma attack due to the protein in the dropping of a cockroach and is an indoor asthma trigger for asthmatic children. If you live in an urban area where cockroaches are sometimes highly populated and hoards the desire to live in walls, it is important to get your apartment or house exterminated monthly to avoid this arising issue.

Children with asthma can live a normal life. It is up to the parent to research and follow-up with their child's pediatrician regarding the progress the child is making with this manageable disease.

Works Cited:

http://www.lungusa.org

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415185019.htm