Alleviate
Childhood Asthma
Helping to
Alleviate Childhood Asthma: Knowledge is Power
Parents and caregivers of asthmatic
children know how difficult breathing can be for children- heavy
coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
But understanding the effects of triggers in the environment and
forming an asthma action plan to counter those triggers is a
step in managing asthma.
The first step to keeping your child
healthy is knowing what your child's triggers are. Because you
are with your child daily, you can best notice the patterns that
set off your child's breathing problems. Be sure you report
your findings back to the doctor.
The most common triggers are colds
and allergens. An allergen (e.g. animal dander, pollen, mold
spores) is a substance that can irritate the lungs of people who
have allergies and asthma. According to the American Academy of
Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, most children who have asthma or
similar breathing problems have allergies.
Some common allergies or allergy
sources that can trigger asthma-like symptoms include molds,
fungi, pollen, dust, furry or feathered pets and even
cockroaches. Other symptoms include exercise like running,
cigarette smoke and foods like nuts or others containing
sulfites.
Knowing your child's triggers will help you steer clear of
them. You can follow some tips to help your child feel his or
her best.
-
Clean and dust weekly, using a vacuum with a HEPA filter
and/or microfiltration bags.
-
Wash bedding weekly in hot water, avoid feather pillows, and
put a dust mite cover on your child’s mattress and pillows.
-
To
reduce pet dander, keep pets out of your child’s room, out
of the car, and wash your pets often.
-
When inside, replace heat and air conditioning filters
monthly, use air conditioning in the summer, and use an
exhaust fan when cooking.
After
you have identified your child’s triggers, your doctor will work
with you to develop your child’s action plan.
Every
child's asthma action plan should be personalized for his or her
unique situation. It's easier to control your child's breathing
problems effectively when you have specific directions on which
action to take.
Your action plan is a great
guideline to help you manage your child's breathing problems.
But it can also be helpful to other caregivers involved with
your child, including family, school staff, and daycare
workers. Here are some tips to make sure you get the most out
of your child's action plan.
-
Make a copy of the plan and give it to each of the people
who are involved with caring for your child. (Be sure you
give them new copies any time that you update the plan.)
-
Keep an updated version of the plan with you at all times.
You never know when your child's breathing problems may crop
up. It can happen even when you are away from home.
-
Be
sure to review the action plan with your child's doctor at
least once or twice a year, or any time that your child's
condition or treatment changes markedly.
For complete information on asthma
triggers and asthma action plans, visit
www.everydaykidz.com.
The first step
to keeping your asthmatic child healthy is knowing what his or
her triggers are. After you have identified your child’s
triggers, your doctor will work with you to develop your child’s
unique action plan. For more information, visit
www.everydaykidz.com .
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