As for a parent’s greatest worry? “If you focus on keeping a child’s asthma symptoms under control, the chance of a fatal asthma attack is smaller than small,” says Elizabeth Matsui, M.D., a pediatric allergist/immunologist and associate professor at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore, Md.2. Confirm the diagnosis. A pulmonary (lung) function test is the best way to determine that your child really does have asthma. He or she breathes into a mouthpiece, enabling the doctor to measure the narrowing of bronchial tubes. “Making an asthma diagnosis without this test is like making a diagnosis of high blood pressure without a blood pressure cuff,” Dozor says. But some doctors don’t routinely recommend the test, so you may have to request it. If your child is too young to cooperate for a pulmonary function test, or if results are inconclusive, you may need to see a specialist (a pediatric pulmonologist or pediatric allergist) for a definitive diagnosis.3. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask the doctor anything. At the least, you’ll want answers to the following:
4. Get it in writing. The doctor should send you home with a written Asthma Action Plan, Matsui notes. It will include clear instructions on how and when to use medications, what to do when asthma worsens, and when to seek emergency care. Give copies of the plan to your child’s school and caregivers. Keep in mind that the plan is flexible and can be revised. If your child frequently wakes up at night coughing, misses school because of symptoms, or isn’t able to fully participate in sports and extracurricular activities, it’s time to revisit the plan with your doctor.5. Master the meds. While every treatment plan is different, most include at least two drugs: 1. A daily controller medication that prevents airway inflammation and other regular asthma symptoms. 2. A short-acting “rescue medication” to loosen tight muscles around inflamed airways, providing quick relief for wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.Both are usually inhaled directly into the airways using an inhaler or a nebulizer (which turns the medicine into a mist that’s sometimes breathed with a mask). Be sure not to confuse the two – rescue medication isn’t as effective for long-term use.6. Ace the delivery techniques. It can be challenging to teach an older child to use an inhaler properly, or to convince a youngster to wear a mask and sit still for a nebulizer treatment. A series of online instructional videos from National Jewish Health (NJH), a Denver hospital renowned for asthma care, can help you perfect the process. “Make it a little fun,” says certified nurse specialist Ann Mullen, RN, MSN, patient education coordinator at NJH and president of the Association of Asthma Educators.
9. Make play OK. When your kid wants to play outside, resist the urge to be overprotective. Although exercise is often a trigger, if the asthma is well-managed, a child should be able to participate in activities from tag to organized sports.Warming up before activity is recommended, and some kids’ Asthma Action Plans call for them to use their inhaler – with a short-acting medication – as a pretreatment, 15-20 minutes before exercise.An athlete with asthma should always carry a rescue inhaler during practices and sporting events.10. Keep in touch with your M.D. Even if your child seems to be healthy and symptom-free, you should still visit the doctor every 2-3 months. “Your primary-care provider can help nip exacerbations in the bud,” Matsui says. “Just having a conversation every few months may help you recognize signs that your child’s asthma is getting out of control.”These checkups also give the doctor a chance to review and tweak medications. Doses may be increased due to nighttime coughing or shortness of breath during exercise, or decreased if symptoms are well-controlled.11. Seek support. Recognize that “you’re not alone,” says Elder, who writes the “My Asthma and Allergy Journey” blog for Allergy & Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics, offering reassurance for parents with asthmatic kids.Consulting with other moms helped Elder after her son’s diagnosis. In a matter of months, she went from being overwhelmed to understanding that William’s asthma was controllable.William takes daily medication and still hasn’t had any asthma attacks. A few months after his diagnosis, he even competed in a kids’ triathlon. “Children with asthma can absolutely live normal lives,” Elder says.
Asthma Resources Check out these websites for more on this chronic lung disorder:Lifescript Asthma Health Center.The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has resources for patients and consumers. Plus, find an asthma specialist near you.FamilyDoctor.com explains why people develop asthma and allergies.What’s Your Allergy IQ? Ignorance may be bliss, but not when it comes to a stuffy, sneezy, scratchy problem like allergies. Maybe you suffer from seasonal allergies. Or perhaps the bed bugs really are biting. Do you know what’s making you itch? Find out with this allergy quiz.Check out Health Bistro for more healthy food for thought. See what Lifescript editors are talking about and get the skinny on latest news. Share it with your friends (it’s free to sign up!), and bookmark it so you don’t miss a single juicy post!Talk to us on Facebook and Twitter! The information contained on www.lifescript.com (the “Site”) is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for advice from your doctor or healthcare professional. This information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition. Information and statements provided by the site about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Lifescript does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, third-party products, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by Lifescript is solely at your own risk.