Asthma Treatment in Raeford & Fayetteville

How to Treat & Manage Your Child’s Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes it difficult for air to pass through your lungs properly. It can start at any age and nearly 26 million Americans have asthma, 7 million of them being children. Unfortunately, there is no cure for asthma. However, with proper management, people living with asthma can live completely normal and healthy lives without asthma.

Kids First Pediatrics of Raeford & Fayetteville provides in-depth evaluations and treatment of asthma. Our board-certified pediatricians will take the time to answer any questions you may have about your child’s asthma symptoms and treatment plan. If your child has symptoms of asthma call us at (910) 848-5437 or request an appointment online today.

Causes of Asthma in Children

The swollen airways in the lungs become sensitive to certain triggers, and when those triggers enter the body, those airways create extra mucus making it difficult to breathe which leads to asthma attacks, complications, and sometimes death. The key is to understand the triggers that cause asthma. Sometimes, you may not even know you have it until you’re exposed to those triggers. This means the environment you live in is a huge cause and risk factor of asthma. Additionally, genetics is a risk factor for asthma.

Childhood Asthma Symptoms

You may be wondering if your child has asthma, but unsure if it’s something else. If any of these symptoms occur chronically or only around certain triggers, they may have asthma:

• Tight feeling in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Wheezing

However, it’s very possible a variety of other conditions are causing these symptoms, such as different allergies. Consult with your pediatrician about whether or not your child has asthma.

How Is Asthma Diagnosed In Children?

Your pediatrician will need to conduct tests to diagnose your child. First, they will ask symptoms, medical history, experiences, etc. to get a good sense if asthma is a possibility. After that, the most common test is called a Spirometry, in which the pediatrician will use a device to measure the air flow of the lungs.

Typically, if your child has the above symptoms, has a parent with asthma and also has allergies (including skin allergies), your pediatrician will conduct lung functioning test. After that, usually, a trial period of asthma medication will be given, depending on the results, with a follow-up appointment to monitor the outcome.

How Can Parents Help Their Child Manage Asthma At School?

Communicate with school staff: Parents should communicate with their child’s teachers, school nurse, and other staff members about their child’s asthma and any specific needs or accommodations that may be necessary. This can include providing medication, developing an asthma action plan, and ensuring that staff members are trained to recognize and respond to asthma symptoms.

Provide medication and supplies: Parents should provide the school with any medications their child may need, such as an inhaler or nebulizer, and ensure that they are properly labeled and stored. They should also provide any necessary supplies, such as spacers, and ensure that they are readily available for use.

Develop an asthma action plan: An asthma action plan is a written document that outlines what to do in case of an asthma attack. Parents should work with their child’s healthcare provider to develop an action plan and provide a copy to the school.

Encourage healthy habits: Parents should encourage their child to maintain healthy habits, such as eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding triggers such as tobacco smoke and air pollution. They should also encourage their child to take any medication as prescribed and to carry their inhaler with them at all times.

Stay informed: Parents should stay informed about their child’s asthma and any changes to their treatment plan. They should also stay in communication with school staff to ensure that their child’s needs are being met.