The best way to prevent attacks and avoid complications in asthmatic children is to monitor the early warning signs carefully and follow the recommended preventive techniques. The warning signals are different for different children. By observing and recognizing the patterns and implementing proper asthma control, your child can also lead a normal and active life like other children.
Early Warning Signs Of Asthma In Children
As asthma symptoms vary from one person to another, it is necessary for both parents and children to keenly observe and learn to recognize the symptoms specific to them. The most common signals include coughing, especially at night, fast or rapid breathing, fatigue and breathlessness, disturbed sleep and unusual paleness or sweating. Difficulty in standing or sitting straight and pursed lips while breathing is also experienced by many asthmatic children. If your child has any of these symptoms, then you should keenly observe your child when he/she coughs or clears throat. Asthmatic children also have noisy and difficult breathing. This observation can be made by putting your ear on your child's back and hand on her chest. Any squeaking or unusual noises as the chest moves up and down during inhalation and exhalation can be an indication of asthma, bronchitis or chest infection. In case you observe these symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
Some other symptoms experienced by children that indicate a worsening of asthma and require immediate medical attention is difficulty in walking or talking, reduction in peak flow rates and nil improvement in peak flow rates even after the use of bronchodilators.
How You Can Control Asthma
Asthma control includes reducing the frequency and severity of attacks so that asthma does not interfere with your child's normal activities. The methods of control are based on severity and vary from child to child. The first step in asthma control is the recognition of triggers which set off attacks in your child. A detailed evaluation of such triggers can be performed by an asthma specialist to identify the allergens and irritants that trigger attacks. This evaluation may involve skin and diet testing that will help determine the suspected allergens. Once the factors affecting your child's asthma are identified, your physician will recommend an individualized asthma control plan.
An asthma control plan commonly includes the following steps:
1. Avoidance – The severity of asthma can be reduced by avoiding the triggers that affect your child. Although your child may still have asthma, avoiding allergens such as dust mites, pollen or pets can reduce the frequency and intensity of asthma episodes. Avoidance of inhaled irritants like cigarette smoke and odors should be done wherever possible.
2. Medications – Your physician will prescribe medicines based on the severity of asthma. Medication is also prescribed based on the frequency of asthma episodes, their association with other factors such as seasonal or climatic variations and exposure to allergens. Bronchodilators and corticosteroids are used to treat asthma episodes triggered by viral infections. Antibiotic treatments are required for bronchitis, ear infections and other bacterial infections. There are many asthma medicines which are safe and effective for children.
3. Regular Lung Function Monitoring – Patient awareness about the subtleties of asthma forms an important part of any asthma management program. Peak flow monitoring plays an important role in determining any changes in lung function. A peak flow monitor is a device which measures the peak air flow to study the extent of airway obstruction. Recording peak flow two to three times a day can help the doctor adjust the asthma medication. Wide fluctuations in peak flow readings indicate poor asthma control and require adjustment or change in medication. With greater awareness about various aspects related to asthma, parents and children are in a better position to control their asthma!