How to Prevent and Control Children's Asthma Attacks

Does your child have asthma? If so, then you know the how frightening an asthma attack can be to your child and to the people around him. That's why you need to make sure that everyone, including your child, knows what to do if an asthma attack comes on while your child is out of your care. It could be at school or at a friend's house. Where ever your child is, someone needs to know what to do. Even your child's friends should know to get help if they see your child having trouble breathing.

Asthma is a serious, but usually controllable disease. It affects the airways, or tubes leading to the lungs. They become sore and swell, restricting breathing. According to Medline Plus, asthma affects as many as twenty million people. Out of those twenty million, about nine million are children. With that many children having asthma, virtually all adults need to know what to do in the event of an attack. You can start by making sure that the people who have contact with your child do know what to do. It could be his teacher, his babysitter, or his best friend's Mom.

First of all, knowing some of the things that may bring on an attack can help prevent attacks. Asthma can be caused by various things. Allergies, such as reactions to pets or pollens in the air can bring on an attack. Things like smoke or dust can trigger an attack. Even the weather or exercising can cause an asthma attack. And of course, you have colds and the flu to worry about. But by being aware of these triggers, you can try to help your child avoid them.

Your child's school needs to be aware of the asthma problem. Talk to the child's teachers and the principal. Let them know how serious the problem is. Make sure they are aware of the symptoms of asthma. Any signs of coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath could indicate an attack. They need to take action immediately if they see any of these signs. Also, ask for their help in preventing attacks by taking some simple precautions. For example, make sure they have the equipment necessary for emergencies. You could also keep an extra inhaler with the school's nurse or your child's teacher. Ask that your child be seated away from the blackboard to prevent chalk dust from triggering an attack. If your child's school has a physical education class, be sure to let that teacher know of the asthma. Exercise can often bring on an attack. You will want to do this every year. Don't depend on the information being passed along.

If your child is not in school, but has a babysitter or attends day care, be sure the care givers are aware of and know how to handle an asthma attack. You will need to keep an extra inhaler with these people also. The inhalers should always be labeled with your child's name, the medicine, and the dosage. It would not hurt to include your name and phone number for quick reference on the back of the inhaler.

If your child spends time at a friend's house, that friend's parents should also know what to do in the event of an asthma attack. Educating people is the key to preventing asthma attacks from becoming life-threatening.

Last, your child should know about his illness and know how to recognize the first signs of an asthma attack. If he is old enough to know how to use the inhaler and carries it with him, make sure he knows not to let anyone else use it. Children are sometimes curious about things, and the inhaler does contain medicine.

At the first signs of an asthma attack, the child should use his inhaler. It will work to reduce the swelling of the airway and help the child to breathe. Staying calm is also vitally important for the child and those around him. Excitement can worsen the effects of asthma. Therefore, the child should be moved to a quiet and private location until the attack subsides or he is transported to a nearby medical facility. As the parent, you should always be notified if an attack occurs. Find out what the child was doing or where he or she was just before the attack. This could help pinpoint the culprit which brought on the attack.

Asthma can be very serious. By ensuring that the people around your child know what to do in the event of an asthma attack, you are providing your child an extra measure of safety. By helping to teach those around your child how to prevent an asthma attack, you are creating a safer environment for your child.

Credits: Remedy/ HealthCommunities.com

American Lung Association

MedlinePlus