Asthma affects your child. You may fear that your child may start wheezing and have trouble breathing again if the weather changes. You may experience more suffering and discomfort than your child. An asthmatic child needs more care and protection, and you may be able to assist her or him to live with the condition better if you have a good understanding of it.
Asthma – An overview
Asthma is not a modern-day condition. It has existed since prehistoric Egypt. The Greek word “aazein” (which means to pant or exhale with mouth open) is the term from which “asthma” originates. Asthma was considered to be a psychosomatic condition in the early 20th century. The inflammatory component of asthma wasn’t discovered until the 1960s.In asthma, the lungs’ airways become inflamed as a result of triggers such as pollen, dust, mould, air pollution, cigarette smoking, the common cold, the flu, cold weather, and exercise.
Children with asthma struggle at school, during play, and while sleeping. The symptoms of asthma cause children a great deal of distress, and if left untreated, it can result in deadly asthma attacks. When an asthma attack occurs, the mucus in the lungs obstructs the airways, causing the lungs’ air tubes to constrict and enlarge. The children have symptoms including wheezing, a mucus-producing cough, difficulty breathing, chest tightness and congestion, discomfort in the chest, difficulty speaking, trouble sleeping, and feeling of tiredness.
Avoiding Asthma Attacks
If you want to keep your child safe from asthma, you must identify the triggers that cause asthma. Your child should not be exposed to irritants and triggers such as pollen, dust, pet dander, mould, food preservatives, cigarette smoke, some fragrances and deodorants, aspirin, sinus infections, exercise, temperature fluctuations, stressful circumstances, heartburn, and certain viruses.
Once you are aware of the triggers, you must take precautions to prevent them. If pollen dust is the source of the problem, close your windows and doors to prevent pollen from entering. Keep the kitchen and bathroom clean and dry, to avoid mould growth. Use a dehumidifier to maintain low humidity and prevent the formation of mould. Wash your drapes often in hot water that is over 130 F to prevent dust and dust mites. Chemically treated carpets will keep dust mites at bay. Usually, stuffed animals collect dust. Try to keep dust off of them. Pet dander can cause asthma episodes, so keep dogs out of your child’s bedroom and living space. Never expose your children to cigarette smoke or other air pollution.
Using a peak flow meter
A peak flow meter is a device that measures the amount of air leaving the lungs. In asthmatic patients, low levels of air is expelled from the lungs. You may use this device to examine your child’s lung function and assess the severity of an asthma episode. The peak flow metre has a metre scale with an indicator. Ensure that the device’s reading is zero. After taking a deep breath, the child must blow into the mouthpiece of the apparatus.
The indicator displays the reading on the metre scale. The readings are taken twice more in this manner, with the highest reading from the three being recorded. Your “personal best score” is determined by the reading when your asthma is completely under control. The reading you take two weeks after asthma control is the most accurate. Now you may compare your daily peak flow metre results with your all-time top performance. This can help you determine whether your child’s condition is improving or not. Similar to a traffic light system, the peak flow zone system includes three zones with various colours that show how your child is performing.
To determine the severity of your child’s asthma, the peak scores are divided into three zones.
- Green zone: Your child’s asthma is under control when their score is between 80% and 100% of your own personal best. Although the child is symptom-free at this point, it is still advised to take its preventive medicine.
- Yellow zone: Readings that fall in the yellow zone suggest that your child’s asthma status is deteriorating when they range from 50% to 80% of their personal best score. The child exhibits signs of coughing and wheezing. For advice, you should speak with your doctor.
- Red zone: When the scores fall below 50% of the personal best score, this zone denotes a medical emergency. The child develops bluish lips and fingernails in this situation. The child will cough, wheeze, and may have serious breathing problems. In that situation, there is no time to waste. The child has to be taken right away to the hospital.
Treating asthma
There are several medications available to treat asthma symptoms. An asthma bronchodilator may be administered to prevent an asthma attack. When used, the bronchodilator clears the obstructed airways in the lungs and facilitates normal breathing. Anti-inflammatory drugs, which must be taken regularly, are given by the doctor to avoid asthma attacks. These medications can prevent the airway from inflammation (swelling) and it is recommended to consult your healthcare provider for follow-ups.
Life with Asthma
At times, it will be challenging to lead a life for a child with asthma. If your child has asthma, you must inform the school administration, instructors, school nurses, and coaches. In front of other children, your child could feel ashamed to use the bronchodilator. You should emphasise to your child the importance of using it. It is best to inform your child’s friends as well to prevent them from making fun of your child if they need to take a bronchodilator. You need to explain to your child that having asthma is only a health problem that can be easily managed. Providing your child with all the emotional support you can ease your child to deal with asthma better.
