child asthma care services
have you noticed any one of the following child asthma symptoms?
- Frequent and worsening coughing, which is similar to when the child has a viral infection usually becomes worse when the child is sleeping or by cold air.
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing and whistling when they are out of breath
- Tightness and frequent chest congestion
Then call Here We Grow Pediatrics to book an appointment. Your child deserves an accurate diagnosis of their condition to determine if they are suffering from asthma. If that’s the case, they can be put on an effective treatment and management program ASAP.
the importance of asthma diagnosis and management
Asthma affects over 5 million children in the US. This disease often interferes with a child’s daily life and can be life threatening but there are effective treatments. Asthma attacks are one of the more serious and scary reasons children are taken to the emergency room.
the cause of asthma in children
Asthma is a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. The tightening of the airways makes it harder for children to breathe. That’s why in addition to wheezing, asthma sufferers also cough and can be more susceptible to illness and experience shortness of breath when they exercise.
A big part of treating asthma is managing its triggers. That’s why we educate parents and help with their child’s lifestyle planning:
- Help to identify controlling triggers.
- Plans for controlling flare-ups
- Anticipating and preventing potential flare-ups
- How and when to use which inhaler
- Asthma triggers in children
Asthma can affect children in different ways. For kids with severe asthma, avoiding triggers can help alleviate symptoms. To decrease risk of a flare-up wash their skin and hair after exposure to a pollen-filled area. It is also important to keep windows and doors closed and frequently change A/C filters during the peak pollen season.
Allergens from household pets can also cause asthma to flair. These allergens can be found in the dander, saliva, urine, and other materials from pets.
If your child has a grass allergy, bathing them after playing in the grass is helpful.
Environmental allergens are known to be a common trigger for asthma in children. These include dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and cockroaches. The best way to treat these triggers is to remove them from the child’s environment.
If it is cold, limit the child’s time outside or limit their activity outside on those days. Exercise is important for children with asthma, but to keep them safe, be sure their asthma is adequately controlled. Daily exercise is a great way to keep your child healthy.
understanding spacers and asthma medication
Properly using medication make a huge difference to its effectiveness. A spacer is quite simply an empty plastic tube that slots over the mouthpiece of an inhaler. The other end is used to hold the mask or the mouthpiece. These devices make metered-dose inhalers much more effective.
Proper use of inhalers is essential to reduce the risk of side effects such as oral thrush and hoarseness. Your doctor will be sure to explain how to keep your child safe while using prescribed medications.
Spacers also help improve the effectiveness of your medication. Some spacers have whistles built into them that sound if the patient inhales too fast. Propper technique is essential managing your child’s condition effectively.
