How parents can manage their children’s asthma

Asthma is a common and very treatable disease affecting the lungs, commonly found in children. When treated accurately, many children can continue to do all of the things they enjoy along with their friends; an asthma diagnosis shouldn’t get in the way. Here are some tips to help you manage your child’s asthma and keep things running as normally as possible.

Understand their medication

Understanding your child’s medication is vital. Knowing what it does, how, and why will enable you to ensure it is used as effectively as possible.

The most common asthma medication is usually an inhaler. Spend time understanding the different types of inhalers, whether it is a preventative inhaler or a reliever inhaler.

They have two separate but essential functions. Understanding when to use each inhaler and why they will give maximum efficacy for treating your child’s asthma.

Do they use a spacer, and if so, why? What brand of inhalers do they use? Do they use Cipla asthma inhalers? Again, knowing this essential information will help you treat their condition.

If you are out and about and for any reason and don’t have their inhaler, you will want to know exactly what they need when they need it. That knowledge helps keep your kid safe.

Discuss your child’s asthma medication with them

Your child may have concerns about their medication or be anxious about using it correctly. They may not fully understand or appreciate the importance of it.

Discussing everything you know about their medicine with them can help alleviate any anxieties they may have and promote a greater understanding of their use. The better-informed children are about why they need to take a particular medication, the more inclined they will be to use it.

In particularly young children, you can use fun and friendly child-focused tools to help explain their asthma to them. Whether it is a book or online videos and literature, there are many resources available to educate children about living with asthma.

Routine and technique

Children love a routine; it helps them feel safe and getting yourself and them into a routine with their asthma medication will ultimately help keep them safe. If they need to use their inhaler morning and night, work it into their teeth brushing routine.

If they need it at school or when they’re out and about, ask them every time they leave the house, “have you got your inhaler?” The repetition will make the routine stick, eventually.

Also, be sure to check their technique and yours for using the inhaler regularly. The professionals often do this at check-ups, so be sure not to skip them and ask any questions if you have them.

Know your child’s asthma triggers

Once you know your child’s triggers, look out for them and actively seek to avoid them, where possible. It will also better prepare you and your child in the event of an asthma attack.

Common triggers might be allergies, the cold, or tobacco smoke. By learning what triggers a flare-up, you can help the youngster to avoid them.

Stay active

Although asthma can make physical exercise harder, it doesn’t have to stop your child from being active. Physical activity can actually help with asthma symptoms as it strengthens the lungs and heart.

Pairing exercise with healthy habits is good for your child in many ways, potentially reducing asthma flare-ups and improving their breathing. Of course, they must continue to take their medication, as instructed by the doctor.