Part II: Managing Childhood Asthma

by Barbara Bates | More from this Blogger

30 Aug 2009 08:53 PM

If your child has asthma, developing a care plan is one of the most important things you can do towards maintaining his or her health and reducing asthmatic episodes.

Eliminate or control triggers in your child's environment. Keep your home clean and vacuum as often as possible. In bedrooms, use allergen-proof casings on pillows, mattresses, and box springs, and wash linens weekly.

Don't smoke or take your child into an environment where other people do. Even if you don't smoke in front of your child, smoke clings to your hair, skin, and clothing, and will be exhaled through your breath for days after it was inhaled.

Have your child tested to determine exactly what allergens he or she is most sensitive to. Be careful of outdoor activities in the spring and fall when pollen and ragweed levels are typically high.

Make sure to monitor your child's activity levels. While children with controlled asthma shouldn't be prohibited from participating in sports or extracurricular activities, be aware that strenuous activity is an asthma trigger, and make sure you, your child, and any adults who work with him or her know how to respond in case of an emergency.

Also, don't underestimate the role emotions play in asthma prevention. Stress can trigger asthma as easily as environmental irritants, and both babies and young children are quick to pick up on the emotional undercurrents in their home.

Growing and Thriving with Asthma

The good news is most asthma triggers lose their impact as children grow, and frequently, asthma does not persist into adulthood.

But in the meantime, asthma needn't stand in the way of your child's busy life. Stay in touch with your pediatrician and on top of your care plan to ensure that the only limits placed on your child will be your ability to keep up with him!

Learn more about Barbara Bates

Barbara Bates is a freelance writer and mother of two. Her work additionally appears in Good Sense and Military Spouse magazines, Military.com, and the Department of Navy LIFELines Services Network.

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