An Ounce of Prevention
The best way to avoid making frequent trips to the emergency room for treatment of asthma attacks is to anticipate problems before disaster strikes. It is the pediatrician's job to educate you and provide you with a detailed plan for managing your child's asthma. This plan needs to include ways to prevent asthma triggers, ways to suppress internal inflammation caused by asthma, and specific steps for what to do in case of a flare-up.
Having a Plan
Knowing what to expect and knowing what to do are crucial steps for parents in managing their child's asthma. Studies have shown that written instructions that detail a step-by-step plan in dealing with asthma attacks are the most effective way to stop sudden asthma exacerbations. Most asthma specialists endorse using such a written asthma-treatment plan.
No one child reacts to his asthma the same way. Therefore, it is critical for each asthmatic to have a unique plan that is tailored to his own needs. If your doctor does not provide such written instructions, politely request them. Not only can preparation like this prevent you from making frequent trips to the emergency room, it can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.
Frequently, it is insufficient for just the parents to be familiar with the medications. It is not uncommon for grandparents or babysitters to be primarily responsible for taking care of the child during the day. They must be thoroughly instructed in the asthma plan as well. Finally, if the child is mature enough to learn about her own asthma regimen, she must start taking on the responsibility of knowing what to do. No one is better positioned to monitor and treat asthma problems than the asthma sufferer herself.
Avoiding Triggers
Knowing your child's asthma triggers and avoiding them are the first steps toward a successful asthma-management program. If frequent asthma attacks can be prevented, parents won't have to resort to activating the emergency plan very often. Keeping your child away from environmental triggers is important. If avoidance is not feasible, you can at least beef up the maintenance medication to hopefully ward off a potential asthma exacerbation.
Question?
Will my child ever outgrow her asthma?
The answer to this question is more complicated than a simple yes or no. Most children with asthma flare-ups that are triggered by a cold or exercise tend to improve as they reach adolescence. However, given that many adults have asthma, this obviously does not happen to everyone.
If your child suffers from activity-induced attacks, make sure that he carries his quick-acting inhaler with him when he's participating in sports. Ten to fifteen minutes prior to engaging in activities, he should administer two puffs of albuterol from the inhaler. Not only can this measure prevent an asthma attack, it can also allow your child to attain his maximal athletic performance without being hindered by asthma.
