Managing Your Child’s Asthma
You’re moving into a new house in Provo in less than a month. There are still a few things that need to be worked out and items to be fixed. The roofing, HVAC system, and security companies are all coming within the week.
But the most critical aspect of all these repairs and renovation works is the work to be done by the mold-testing company. You want to make sure that the health of everyone in your new home is not placed at risk because of microscopic organisms flying around the house. You’re particularly concerned about the health of your five-year-old who was recently diagnosed with asthma. You’re still finding your way through on how to properly deal with your son’s sickness, particularly on how to prevent attacks. Making sure that the house is safe from microorganisms that threaten your son’s health is just one of the things you recently read about. What other steps can you take to deal with your son’s condition daily?
Here are a few things to consider:
An Overview of Asthma as a Chronic Disease
Diseases are unfortunate to have. No exception. But you’re suffering from chronic skin allergies or migraine, a topical or oral remedy usually helps, and then you can sleep it off. Even at the height of the discomforts or the pain, unbearable and annoying as they might be, you can still breathe. If you have a severe asthma attack and you can’t breathe, you can’t just sleep it off. You’ll die because you aren’t able to process oxygen properly.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Americans suffering from asthma is over 25 million. CDC also believes that there are more than 6.2 million children age 18 or less who are suffering from asthma. CDC also recognizes that it is the number one chronic disease in children.
Managing Asthma
Although the incidence of attacks in children has somehow declined in recent years, in 2016, nearly half of children ages five or younger have had an attack. You’re right to be concerned.
- Documented plan. Your doctor will provide the prescription and advise how to prevent an attack or what to do when one happens. Write everything down in an organized fashion, stick it on the refrigerator, and incorporate it as an entry in your mobile device. Know which medicines to take and how to avoid triggers.
- Your child’s role.It will be a challenge to make your child assume any responsibility. But get them involved and introduce them correctly to the routine of taking medicines or in recognizing food or other items to avoid. Have this discussion in a visual environment. The goal is to allow them to handle attacks in case you’re not around.
- Watch out for triggers.Your fixing the microorganism issue in the house. That’s good. Make sure that you are familiar with other triggers. It can be dust, pet dander, pollen, etc. Secondhand smoke can also be a trigger.
- Visit doctors regularly.You need to visit your doctor regularly to see, for example, if your son is improving. If the current treatment is not working, your doctor can evaluate the situation.
The most important thing to know is that you need to be patient. It’s going to be a long haul and until such time that your child can fend for himself. In the meantime, these four pointers will help you manage your child’s asthma.
Meta Title: How to Manage Your Child’s Asthma
Meta Description: Preventing severe asthma attacks requires detailed planning. Teach your children how to manage their illness.
