Asthma is a chronic condition that interferes with your child’s ability to breathe. You may notice your child regularly gets short of breath and coughs uncontrollably at times. These symptoms interfere with play, school, and even sleep.
As their caregiver, you play a huge role in helping your child understand their asthma so they can control their symptoms and live a healthy life. Board-certified pediatrician Margaret Lubega, MD, of First Pediatric Care Center has several suggestions when it comes to managing your child’s asthma.
1. Know your child’s asthma triggers
With the help of Dr. Lubega, you can identify the triggers that set off your child’s asthma symptoms. This often includes dust and pet dander, or mold and pollen, especially if your child has seasonal allergies. Exercise, cold temperatures, and certain cleaning products and chemicals can also cause your child’s symptoms to flare up.
If you know what your child’s triggers are, you can take steps to help them steer clear and breathe easy.
2. Create a care team
While you and Dr. Lubega may be primary players on your child’s asthma-management plan, you need other allies. Dr. Lubega can help you create a written asthma action plan that you share with other caregivers, babysitters, and your child’s school nurse.
Such a plan includes information about your child’s medication, what to do when your child has a flare-up, and when to contact a doctor.
3. Get your child a flu shot
At First Pediatric Care Center, we offer flu shots for children six months old and up. A flu shot is important for everyone, but especially for kids who have asthma. Even if your child’s symptoms seem mild or are well-controlled, a flu infection can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia.
4. Teach your child how to use their medication
Empower your child by working with them regularly and making sure they know when and how to use their medications and devices. This may include oral pills, inhalers, nebulizers, and peak flow meters. Dr. Lubega prescribes the ones that are best for your child.
Dr. Lubega always demonstrates how to use asthma devices or medications, but you’ll need to help your child at home at first. With time and depending on their age, they can take on more of the responsibility. Make taking medications (if required) part of their daily routine, just like brushing their teeth or eating breakfast.
5. Keep up with regular pediatric visits
If your child has asthma, they’ll likely need more frequent visits to our office than just a once-a-year wellness check. Dr. Lubega will regularly review their treatment plan to make sure it’s working well.
After your child’s initial diagnosis, we’ll likely have you come in for a checkup every few months for the first year. Bring your child's inhaler so the doctor can see them use it (and make sure they’re doing so properly).
Of course if symptoms escalate between visits or your child’s treatment plan doesn’t seem to be working, schedule a visit anytime.
If your child has been diagnosed with asthma or is showing symptoms that suggest it, call First Pediatric Care Center in Gastonia, North Carolina, right away or use our online booking to schedule an evaluation.