WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What is asthma? Asthma is a condition that causes breathing problems. Inflammation and narrowing of your child's airway prevents air from getting to his or her lungs. An asthma attack is when your child's symptoms get worse. If your child's asthma is not managed, symptoms may become chronic or life-threatening. What is cough-variant asthma? Cough-variant asthma is a type of asthma with symptoms of a dry cough that comes and goes. A dry cough may be your child's only symptom, or he or she may also have chest tightness. Your child's cough may be worse night. These symptoms may be caused by exercise or exposure to odors, allergens, or respiratory infections. Cough-variant asthma is treated the same way as typical asthma. What are the signs and symptoms of asthma in children? - Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Fast breathing in infants
- Chest tightness
What may trigger an asthma attack? - A sinus infection, cold, or the flu
- Exercise
- Intense crying, laughing, or yelling
- Cold air, or a change in weather temperature
- Air pollution or pollen
- Tobacco smoke
- Acid reflux
- Pets, fur, dust mites, cockroaches, or mold
How is asthma in children diagnosed? Tell your child's healthcare provider if your child has a family history of asthma. Tell the provider about your child's symptoms and what you think may trigger symptoms. The provider will examine your child and listen to his or her lungs. Your child may need to be tested for allergies that could trigger asthma attacks. He or she may also need the following: - Lung function tests are done to show how well your child can breathe.
- A chest x-ray is used to check for other lung problems such as an infection.
How is asthma in children treated? The cause of your child's asthma, such as acid reflux, may need to be treated. Your child may need any of the following: - Medicines decrease inflammation, open your child's airway, and make breathing easier. Your child may need rescue medicine that works quickly during an attack. He or she may also need long-acting medicine that works over time to prevent attacks. Asthma medicine may be inhaled, taken as a pill, or injected.
- Allergy testing may be used to find allergies that trigger an asthma attack. Your child may need allergy shots or medicine to control allergies that make his or her asthma worse.
What is an Asthma Action Plan (AAP)? An AAP is a written plan to help you manage your child's asthma. It is created with your child's healthcare provider. Give the AAP to all of your child's care providers. This includes your child's teachers and school nurse. An AAP contains the following information: - A list of what triggers your child's asthma
- How to keep your child away from triggers
- When and how to use a peak flow meter
- What your child's peak numbers are for the Green, Yellow, and Red Zones
- Symptoms to watch for and how to treat them
- Names and doses of medicines, and when to use each medicine
- Emergency telephone numbers and locations of emergency care
- Instructions for when to call the doctor and when to seek immediate care
What else can I do to manage my child's asthma? - Keep a diary of your child's asthma symptoms. This will help identify asthma triggers so you can keep your child away from them.
- Do not smoke near your child. Do not smoke in your car or anywhere in your home. Do not let your older child smoke. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can make your child's asthma worse. Ask your child's healthcare provider for information if you or your child currently smoke and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your child's healthcare provider before you or your child use these products.
- Manage your child's other health conditions. This includes allergies and acid reflux. These conditions can make your child's symptoms worse.
- Ask about vaccines your child may need. Vaccines can help prevent infections that could worsen your child's symptoms. Your child may need a yearly flu vaccine.
Call 911 for any of the following: - Your child's peak flow numbers are in the Red Zone and do not get better after treatment.
- Your child's lips or nails are blue or gray.
- The skin of your child's neck and ribcage pull in with each breath.
- Your child's nostrils are flaring with each breath.
- Your child has trouble talking or walking because of shortness of breath.
When should I seek immediate care? - Your child's peak flow numbers are in the Yellow Zone and his or her symptoms are the same or worse after treatment.
- Your child is breathing faster than usual.
- Your child needs to use his or her rescue medicine more often than every 4 hours.
- Your child's shortness of breath is so severe that he or she cannot sleep or do usual activities.
When should I contact my child's healthcare provider? - Your child has a fever.
- Your child coughs up yellow or green mucus.
- Your child runs out of medicine before his or her next scheduled refill.
- Your child needs more medicine than usual to control his or her symptoms.
- Your child struggles to do his or her usual activities because of symptoms.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
|