An asthma action plan is what you and your child need to manage their asthma symptoms.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 1 in 12 children has asthma. This equates to around 6.2 million children under the age of 18. This chronic condition can cause difficulty breathing, wheezing and chest tightness. In severe cases, an asthma attack can even be fatal, so our Nashville, TN, board-certified pediatricians need to diagnose asthma in children early on so that we can find a way to help them manage their symptoms effectively to live a healthy, happy life.
Here are some useful tips for controlling your child’s asthma,
Your Child Needs to Take Their Asthma Medication
Even if your child isn’t experiencing or noticing symptoms it’s important that they don’t skip out on using their controlled medication (aka the medication that should be taken every day). This medication is designed to control and reduce airway inflammation every day, not just once symptoms occur (only when symptoms surface will your child use a rescue inhaler). If you’re confused about your child’s current asthma medications don’t hesitate to talk to our Nashville, TN, pediatricians.
Create an Asthma Action Plan With Your Pediatrician
Your pediatrician is going to play an integral role in controlling your child’s asthma. It’s important that we work together to create an action plan to follow, especially if your child starts to experience symptoms. In this action plan, you will include the medications they are taking and how often they take them, as well as what triggers their symptoms and when to know it’s time to seek emergency medical care. It’s also best to provide this asthma action plan to your child’s school nurses so they know what steps to take if your child has an asthma attack at school.
Know What Triggers Your Child’s Symptoms
Everything from cold weather and exercise to certain irritants and allergens can exacerbate your child’s asthma symptoms. The best way to reduce your child’s exposure to these triggers is to first be able to pinpoint which elements are a problem so that you can make the necessary changes to avoid them. For example, this may mean avoiding playing outdoors on high pollen days.
Practice Good Hygiene
When cold weather appears, this is typically when our Nashville, TN, board-certified pediatricians see a rise in cold and flu cases. Unfortunately, these wintertime infections can wreak havoc on an asthmatic child’s lungs. Some ways to reduce your child’s risk for colds and flu include,
- Make sure that they are washing their hands often and properly
- Make sure that your child gets a flu shot every year from their pediatrician
- Ensure that your child is well-rested and is eating a healthy diet
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s asthma, don’t hesitate to turn to our Nashville, TN, pediatricians. Call Pediatric Associates of Davidson County at (615) 329-3595.
