After seeing how my little niece was suffering from another asthma attack, I decided to write this post as many other children and even adults are also fighting this uncomfortable respiratory condition.
Asthma is a condition that can make it hard to breathe. It is very uncomfortable and even distressing for certain kids. Asthma attacks happen when the muscles around the airways tighten, and the lining of the airways gets inflamed. Then, mucus builds up. All of this makes it hard to breathe.
The following Asthma symptoms can range from mild to severe:
Wheezing, or noisy breathing
Coughing, often at night or early in the morning, or when you exercise
A tight feeling in the chest
To treat your asthma, your doctor can order different types of medicines like inhalers, liquids, or pills based on your child’s age and his or her symptoms.
Quick-relief medicines stop the symptoms quickly but they should only be used once in a while. It is very important to report to your provider if the symptoms come back quickly, or do not get better.
Long-term controller medicines control asthma and prevent future symptoms
Almost all children with asthma use an inhaler with a device called a “spacer.” Some children also need a machine called a “nebulizer” to breathe in their medicine.
It is very important that you give your child all the medicines the doctor prescribes. You might worry about giving a child a lot of medicine. But leaving your child’s asthma untreated has much bigger risks than any risks the medicines might have.
As a parent, you should know the medicines your child should use at home each day and the warning symptoms or triggers
Some common triggers that can exacerbate an asthma attack include: getting sick with a cold or the flu, some allergens, cigarette smoke, exercise, and changes in weather, cold air, hot and humid air.
Sometimes, asthma gets better as children get older. The important thing is to know the triggers and follow an action plan.