How do parents help their children manage asthma?

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As a parent, you understand the heart-wrenching feeling when you see your child in pain. Asthma is a long-term lung disease that affects people of all ages. Adults can buy asthma inhalers online to manage asthma symptoms. However, children with asthma need special attention. If your child has asthma, adopt tried-and-tested strategies to help them prevent asthma attacks.

What is an asthma attack?

An asthma attack causes several symptoms, including wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. It occurs in the airways as air moves through the lungs. Children with asthma experience asthma attacks when something bothers their lungs. These catalysts are known as asthma triggers, which include mould, dust mites, pets, pests, smoke, outdoor air pollution, and chemicals. Some children experience asthma attacks due to pollens.

Asthma triggers cause inflammation or swelling on the sides of the airways in the lungs. The airways narrow. So, less air flows in and out of your child’s lungs during an asthma attack. This unfavourable situation creates breathing difficulties. Another issue is the mucous build-up that clogs the airways, leading to wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. Asthma triggers vary from child to child. So, there is no one-fits-all strategy to minimise contact or reduce exposure. Your doctor can help you develop a custom action plan to control your child’s asthma. You can also buy a Ventolin inhaler to prevent asthma attacks.

How can you help your child manage asthma?

Asthma can interfere with your child's day-to-day activities. It is one of the leading causes of missed school days for children with asthma. As a parent, you don’t have to endure the heart-wrenching feeling of seeing your child struggle to breathe. You can adopt several strategies to manage your child’s asthma symptoms. Here are six tips to help parents of children with asthma prevent asthma attacks:

1. Create a detailed asthma action plan

Prescription medication, like Ventolin inhalers, can help children keep asthma under control. You can buy asthma inhalers online to manage your child’s asthma symptoms. But you’ll also need to visit the doctor to develop a detailed asthma action plan. Your child’s asthma treatment plan should include strategies to monitor your child’s asthma, manage symptoms, adjust their medication, prevent asthma attacks, and handle emergencies. It should highlight the best asthma management practices and contact information of all stakeholders, including parents, guardians, and healthcare providers. Ensure to keep a copy of the action plan on hand. You should also give another copy to your child’s school nurse.

2. Schedule regular visits to the doctor

An asthma action plan requires a strict implementation to deliver the desired results. So, schedule regular doctor's appointments to re-evaluate the treatment plan. Your doctor can check whether your child's asthma action plan is working. For example, your doctor can schedule appointments every three months, six months, or yearly depending on your child’s response to their Ventolin inhaler. You can buy an inhaler online for your child and ensure they use it correctly in between follow-up visits. Working with your doctor or pharmacist is the best way to help your child keep asthma under control.

3. Shift from crisis management to asthma control

Responding to asthma symptoms is a recipe for disaster. The best action plan should adopt preventive maintenance as the ultimate goal. If your child’s symptoms don’t improve, ask your doctor to recommend a new treatment plan. Doctors prescribe asthma medication based on the child's age, the severity of the condition, and the frequency of asthma attacks. Your doctor can recommend long-term controllers and quick-relievers. Children with frequent asthma symptoms may need controller medication. But most asthma cases can be managed using quick-relievers, such as Ventolin inhalers. Parents of children with asthma can buy a Ventolin inhaler in the UK or order long-term asthma control medication. Don’t stick to an asthma action plan if it is not working.

4. Minimize your child’s exposure to triggers

Allergens like pollen, dust, mould, or pet dander can trigger asthma attacks. Some children experience severe asthma symptoms after exposure to tobacco smoke, scent diffusers, and cleaning products. Understand your child’s asthma triggers and minimize their exposure. If your child experiences asthma attacks due to seasonal allergies, ask your doctor can increase medication during high-risk periods. Studies indicate that second-hand and third-hand smoke can worsen asthma symptoms. So, quit smoking to help your child manage their asthma and reduce the risk of hospitalisation. Some children experience worsened symptoms after eating certain foods. Talk to your doctor to help you document the foods that trigger your child’s asthma. Then, create a healthy diet list to protect your child’s health.

5. Keep reliever inhalers handy

Your child shouldn't run around searching for their inhaler when experiencing an asthma attack. Ensure to buy extra Ventolin inhalers and keep them in strategic locations. Ideally, your child should be able to reach and retrieve their asthma inhaler quickly and easily around your house. You can also buy an inhaler online and keep it in your child’s backpack. School nurses are the guardians and the first line of defence against asthma attacks in school. So, buy an inhaler to give to your child’s school nurse.

6. Teach your child inhaler usage best practices

Children between 5 and 12 years can use inhalers to manage asthma symptoms. But you’ll need to ensure they adopt the best usage practices to maximize the effectiveness of inhalers. For example, your child can use their inhaler with a spacer to dispense the correct dose. Ensure your doctor demonstrates how to connect the spacer to the inhaler’s mouthpiece and usage requirements and tips. Children often forget to take their medications. If your child is prescribed daily asthma medication, schedule it with other day-to-day activities like teeth brushing. This approach can help ensure your child doesn’t miss their dose.

Bottom Line

Asthma affects people of all ages, including children. Parents need tried-and-tested strategies to help their children manage the symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. The best approach is to create an asthma action plan. Then, schedule regular doctor’s appointments to ensure the treatment plan works for your child, minimize exposure to asthma triggers, and keep inhalers handy. You can buy a Ventolin inhaler to help your child prevent asthma attacks. Don’t forget to teach your child the best asthma inhaler usage practices. Ensure you buy Ventolin inhalers from a trusted UK pharmacist.