More than 6% of American kids have asthma, the most common chronic disease of childhood. While there’s no cure for asthma, there are definitely things you can do as a parent to help your child learn to manage their condition so they get the most from their experiences.
At Nevada Pediatric Specialists, our providers help kids stay on top of their asthma symptoms with customized asthma action plans. If your child has asthma, here’s what you can do to help them thrive.
Your child’s asthma action plan is like an instruction manual to help your child minimize asthma flare-ups and avoid asthma complications. But as with any chronic disease management plan, it needs regular updating to stay on track with your child’s evolving needs.
Symptoms, asthma triggers, health needs, activities, and other factors can change dramatically as your child grows and develops. Scheduling regular visits with our asthma specialists ensures that we keep their plan updated for maximum effects.
It’s also important to educate your child about their plan and what to do if they have a flare-up. Finally, if your child uses an inhaler or other medication, be sure to keep their prescriptions updated and to dispose of expired medicine.
Your child spends a lot of time at school, so you want to do everything you can to make sure their experiences there are positive and supportive. Talk to your child’s teacher and the school nurse about your child’s asthma symptoms so they know what to look for and what to do.
Make them aware of triggers that can make your child’s symptoms worse. Make sure they know about your child’s asthma action plan, too, including how and when your child uses their inhaler or other medications.
Also be sure your child carries their rescue inhaler with them, and work with school personnel to adapt the asthma action plan for field trips and other activities so your child can take part in all of the fun.
If your child has asthma, they’re also more prone to other respiratory issues, including the flu. What’s more, the breathing difficulties associated with asthma can increase the risk of flu complications.
Making sure your child gets an annual flu shot is one way to reduce those risks by decreasing the chance your child will catch the flu. Every year, new flu strains emerge and predominate, which is why doctors recommend getting a flu shot annually. Make sure the rest of your child’s vaccines are up to date, too, including the vaccine that protects against pneumonia.
Exercise-induced asthma can happen during intense activities, but kids who have asthma do benefit from exercise. Not only does regular physical activity promote overall wellness, but it can also help strengthen the muscles that control respiration.
If your child finds that their symptoms are worse with strenuous activities like running, have them give swimming a try. Walking and bike-riding are typically well tolerated as well.
If your child longs to participate in team sports, be sure their coach knows about their symptoms and their asthma action plan. Teach your child the importance of warming up before play to get their respiratory muscles working.
Asthma symptoms tend to worsen in the presence of certain triggers. Typically, that includes airborne triggers, like dust, pollen, and smoke — the same triggers that can make allergy symptoms worse. Respiratory infections and temperature changes (particularly cold air) can also trigger symptoms.
Keeping a journal of your child’s asthma reactions helps you identify triggers so they can be avoided or minimized when possible. Keep an eye on daily pollen counts, and use allergy-proof covers on mattresses and pillows.
Asthma is a chronic disease, and to date, there’s no cure for it. Helping your child stay on top of their asthma symptoms is a great way to help them feel confident and successful in every aspect of their life so they can truly thrive.
For more tips on helping your child manage their asthma or to update your child’s asthma action plan, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Nevada Pediatric Specialists in Henderson and Las Vegas, Nevada, today.
