Take Control of Your Child's Asthma

Taking control of your child's asthma doesn't have to be difficult. With a little understanding of your child's asthma symptoms, and knowledge about how to treat them when their asthma worsens, you will be able to help your child stay as healthy and active as possible.

Asthma symptoms change throughout the year and treatments will need to be adjusted periodically. Your healthcare provider will help you determine a plan of action or "asthma plan" so that you may begin treatment at home during these times. The "asthma plan" will also help you determine when you need assistance from your healthcare provider. The school nurse should receive a copy of your child's asthma plan as well, as they will likely be involved in their care at times.

The first step is to determine if your child's asthma is under control by answering these five questions.

In the past two weeks, has your child had a cough, wheeze, or shortness of breath? · during the day? · during the night? · with exercise or play? Has your child needed their quick relief medicine, or bronchodilator, more than twice a week? In the past few months, has your child's asthma symptoms kept them from school or caused them to be seen at the emergency room or doctor's office for an unscheduled visit? In the past few months, has your child's symptoms kept them from participating in sports or normal play? When your child uses a peak flow meter, has their reading fallen below 80% of their personal best in the past two weeks (that is, into the yellow or red zone on their asthma plan)?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, your child's asthma may not be well controlled. The earlier you and your child recognize these signs, the sooner you can initiate treatment and get them to feel better. This checklist should be reviewed frequently. Changes in weather, schedule, athletics, season, type of heating can all affect your asthma month-to-month or even week-to-week. As the seasons pass, please make a note of these changes that aggravate your asthma so that all of us can anticipate them in the future.

The second step is to begin following the asthma plan prescribed by your healthcare provider. Depending on the severity of your child's asthma, you will need to start or increase medications in order to manage their symptoms. For some kids, this may just mean adding their quick relief medicine, or bronchodilator, as needed for a few days. For others, it may mean adding or increasing their daily maintenance, or anti-inflammatory medicine. It is not uncommon for children with asthma to need to adjust their medicines when exposed to their asthma triggers, such as with colds or during their allergy season. It is very important to follow the individualized plan that was devised for your child and to communicate with your child's healthcare provider if their symptoms persist for more than a couple of days. It is extremely important if at any time your child's peak flows fall into the "red zone". This could indicate that their asthma symptoms are not under control and are potentially dangerous.

During times when your child's asthma is not under control, it is very important to monitor daily peak flow readings to assess how they are doing and to help you determine what treatment they need. As you develop a better idea of their peak flows during the times that they are feeling well, you will be able to detect when their asthma is worsening by a drop in their measurements. Remember that this will be a learning process and that we are here to help you gain a better understanding your child's asthma. Our goal is to help you maintain control of your child's asthma by preventing severe exacerbations, decreasing visits to the emergency room, and most of all - keeping your child healthy.

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October 2002