• Helping Your Child with Asthma

    Asthma is a respiratory issue which involves spasms within the bronchi, which are located in the lungs. It is often triggered by different factors such as stress, allergens, and smoke, for example. However, there are other causes for the condition as well. One of the most concerning issues for parents is how to help their child who has asthma. For example, seasonal issues often contribute to more severe asthma attacks, and this causes major problems. These problems are particularly irritating during the spring and summer months due to the large amounts of pollen in the air. If your child has asthma you want to ensure that they stay safe.

    Regular visits to the doctor are essential in order to keep the condition under control. This allows the doctor to determine if there are any severe irritants within the home. Asthma has the capacity to affect children in many different ways. The attacks might be minor, or they can lead to severe issues that might get completely out of control without treatment. A qualified doctor can help you to develop a plan of action for your child. This allows you to create emergency plans in case an asthma attack occurs when you are not with the child.

    An early diagnosis of the condition enables you to help the child to learn to live with asthma. This important for a number of reasons. For one, early diagnosis might help in pinpointing what triggers the asthma attacks. These triggers can then be limited accordingly. Another reason early diagnosis is important is because it helps the child to practice with an inhaler. Younger children need guidance so that they can feel confident using the device on their own. The earlier you get the condition diagnosed, the better your child’s chances will be at success.

    Perhaps most importantly, your child needs to be taken care of within the school environment. School is a place where kids need to feel safe, and parents who have kids with asthma need to feel confident with the school’s ability to act during an attack. One way to make sure that school goes smoothly is to notify the school nurse and teachers of the condition. A plan should be in place to make the child feel comfortable using his or her inhaler whenever it is needed. A pass to the nurse should be granted so that the child does not feel embarrassed when it is time to leave the classroom.

    The school environment is full of physical activity, and it is important that inhalers are in place during them. Kids who have asthma can participate in sports and physical education just like other children. The key is for the child and the teachers to understand the limits for the child. If an attack occurs, then all physical activity needs to be stopped to make sure that safety is the first priority. If you have an action plan in place then you can rest assured that your child is in good hands regardless of where they are located.