Managing Asthma in Children: What Parents Can Do
There are over one million children with asthma in the United Kingdom alone.
According to Asthma UK, at least one in eleven children is currently being treated for asthma. It is imperative that parents should be educated on how to properly manage their child’s condition in order to help them live safe and full lives.
With the proper medications and the right asthma management practices, children should be able to live without major asthma symptoms.
How to manage children’s asthma
Here are some tips and important advice on how parents can properly manage their children’s asthma.
1. Have an Updated Asthma plan
According to Asthma UK, “One of the best ways to look after your child’s asthma and cut their risk of an asthma attack is to make sure they’re using an up-to-date written asthma action plan”. The asthma plan should be generated by your GP and be based on your child’s own asthma triggers. It should also be designed in such a way as to direct you on the appropriate times to give them their relevant medicine, and the steps to take when their asthma worsens.
2. Visit your GP for regular asthma reviews
The British Thoracic Society (BTS) recommends that children should have an asthma review twice in a year with their asthma nurse or GP. This will serve as a means of monitoring their responses to prescribed medicines, and parents should ensure that they update their asthma action plan based on the GP’s observations and recommendations.
It is also advised that children should be taken in for an asthma review if any major changes occur. For example:
· Changes to their symptoms
· Moving to a new environment
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· Attending a new school
· The arrival of a new pet
3. Does your child need a ‘spacer’ for his / her inhaler?
A ‘spacer’ can be added to your child’s inhaler to make it easier for the medicine to get into their lungs. It takes practice to become adept at using an inhaler properly — the required simultaneous exhaling, inhaler activation and inhaling actions.
Therefore, getting your child a spacer would ensure that their medicine gets delivered correctly to their lungs whenever they use it, and with less trouble.
4. Educate your child on their triggers and asthma symptoms
While parents should know everything about their child’s asthma condition, it is advisable that the children are taught about the cause of their asthma, and ensure they know what to look out for.
Some of the symptoms they should know include chest tightening, wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing.
Also, ensure they know their triggers — such as weather changes, dust, smoke, pets, pollen or strenuous activity.
5. Keep an inhaler close to you at all times
Whenever you go out, ensure you always have an inhaler with you — and also teach your child to do the same. In addition, keep an inhaler somewhere in your house within the reach of everyone (except younger children) so that it can be reached easily in the case of an attack at home.
Ensure that your child has a designated carrier for their inhaler whenever they are going to school or leaving the house for any reason. Also remember to inform the school about your child’s condition.
What do you do in the event of an asthma attack?
If your child’s symptoms suggest that he / she is having an attack, then you should give a double dose of the reliever inhaler immediately.
Then contact your GP or allergist immediately.
