Tips to Manage Childhood Asthma

One of the dreadful sights for a parent is to watch their child fight for air, unable to breath, due to asthma. You know you want to do everything to stop his/her suffering but all you can do is take protective measures to lessen its effect. Yes, asthma can’t be cured. In India, 25% of the population suffers from allergies and 5% of those people suffer from allergies that lead to asthma.

Asthma is defined as “a respiratory condition marked by attacks of spasm in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing.” A person with asthma finds it difficult to breathe because the tubes that take air into the lungs swell up. This reaction is caused because the airway comes in contact with an asthma trigger (an allergen) that causes it to swell up.

Different people have different trigger agents of asthma. Some of the common ones are dust, pollen, pollution like smoke from vehicles, animal dander, certain smells like diesel and petrol combustion, and peeling paint. Some drugs like aspirin and other NSAIDs are also known to cause asthma attacks.

Asthma can also be genetic. So far, 25 genes have been associated with asthma in six or more separate populations. If anyone in your family has asthma or allergies, consult your child’s pediatrician for any symptoms of asthma.

Determining whether a child has asthma can be difficult. Asthma is generally diagnosed with a test that measures the airflow in and out of the lungs. Children who are of preschool age or younger may not be able to complete the airflow test, which requires blowing very hard into a tube. Since children can’t describe how they feel, parents need to be alert for symptoms. Let’s look at some of the tips parents need to follow to take better care of their children with asthma.

1. Complete knowledge about Asthma

You must read as much about asthma as you can possibly absorb. Read blogs, hang out in a forum, ask questions about asthma. You must possess the complete information about it in order to take good care of your child.

2. Triggers of your child

For every patient, there are many different things that trigger an asthma attack. You must be very observant and work with your child’s pediatrician to learn what your child’s triggers are and how to help him/her avoid them or deal with them. If all else fails, there are medicines like antihistamines, nasal sprays or allergy shots.

3. Rescue Medicine

Rescue inhalers are used to treat bronchospasm. They relax the lungs, open the airways, and often cause instant relief. You must make sure your child’s rescue medicine is available wherever your child is including, home, school, daycare, vacation etc.

4. Asthma Action Plan

Work out an action plan with the help of your child and your child’s doctor that’s best for treating asthma. Inform other people about your child’s asthma action plan so that your child can get the best care possible no matter where he/she is. This includes, teachers, principal, daycare employees, grandparents, siblings, even uncles and aunts.

5. Always be vigilant

To the best of your ability, try to stay in tune with your child. Make sure that he/she is getting the optimum care and love. It is possible to lead a happy and normal life with proper love and care.

Consult a Pediatrician at Apollo Hospitals with Apollo Edoc for all your queries about Asthma. Click here to book an appointment.

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