Depending on the severity of the case of asthma that your child is going through, the doctor is able to come up with an amicable action plan to help manage the condition. There is not much of a difference between the asthma that adults live through and the one that kids struggle with. As a matter of fact there are so many adults whose asthma cases are a manifestation of some of the challenges that they had with asthma since they were kids.
However, kids normally have really unique challenges when dealing with asthma. Asthma in children is as a matter of face one of the most common reasons behind emergency visits to the hospital, or skipping school.
While asthma might not be treated in your child, you are able to work around management mechanisms to give you and your child an easier time as they grow into adulthood.
Symptoms of childhood asthma
There are certain symptoms that you will notice in kids, particularly those under the age of 5, which should alert you if you are dealing with a case of asthma. The following are some of the symptoms that you should be on the lookout for:
- Problem breathing normally
- Wheezing coughs
- Recurring cases of bronchitis
- Uncomfortable, tight feeling in the chest
When you notice these symptoms, it will be important for you to see a doctor as soon as possible. Among other alternatives, doctors will often recommend inhalers such as Ventolin, Flovent, Proventil, Advair Diskus, considering that they have been highly effective in the past.
There are kids who normally get severe attacks from time to time, so you will have to be really keen on them and keep monitoring the situation every once in a while.
Childhood asthma emergencies
In as much as you might try to keep a close eye on your kids, there are times when things will get out of hand. When this happens, you will find yourself in the ER every once in a while. Such as some of the tribulations that you have when your child is struggling with asthma.
As a parent, you will need to know some of the common symptoms that indicate a serious asthma attack, in which case you will be dealing with an emergency situation. The following are some of the most common signs that should alert you:
- Restriction in breath, and as a result struggle to breath
- Gasping for air
- Heavy breathing to the point where the ribs suck in the abdomen
Diagnosing childhood asthma
One of the most difficult things when dealing with asthma is diagnosing the attack in kids. The reason for this is because a good number of the symptoms that are commonly associated with asthma will also be associated with so many other conditions and illnesses. Therefore it becomes so hard to tell whether your child is struggling with asthma or if they are struggling with something else.
The following are some of the options that doctors have when diagnosing asthma in your child:
- Check for inflammation in the airwaves
- Measure the level of nitrous oxide in the breath
Other tests that are normally associated with asthma like spirometry (peak flow measurement) might however not be applicable to kids under the age of 5.
Managing childhood asthma
One of the most important things that you need to think about when it comes to management of asthma, is to be knowledgeable. You and your child will need to learn more about the common problems, the triggers of these attacks, what to do, how and when.
Take note that asthma triggers might differ from one child to the other, so you have to be really careful. The following are some of the common management techniques that you can think about:
- Work with an allergist to determine a good management plan
- Find metered dose inhalers or nebulizer solutions
- Get controller medication
Take note that most of the time, asthma is all about being informed. The more knowledgeable you and your child are, the easier it will be for you to manage it in the event of an attack. You should take some time and teach your child particularly about the symptoms, so that they are more conscious about the attacks. The more your child learns about this, the easier it will be for them to stay safe, especially when you or anyone who might help, are not around.