The job of every parent is to prepare his or her child for adult life. And if you are a parent of a child with asthma, you have an added responsibility. You must teach your child to control asthma. Asthma can be frightening for both you and your child. But there are specific strategies you can use to help your child. Controlling asthma requires teamwork between you, your child, your child's doctor and the people who are part of your child's day-to-day life.
Teach Your Child to Control Asthma
It is never too early to teach your child about asthma control. When asthma management skills are learned at an early age, controlling asthma as your child grows becomes much easier. Teaching your child to take control now will prepare him for times when he's away from home, and provide you the reassurance you need when he's at school, participating in outdoor activities or staying overnight with friends or family.
Teach Your Child to Use a Peak Flow Meter on a Regular Basis
A peak flow meter is an invaluable tool for you and your child. It will clearly indicate the degree of breathing difficulty your child is having and take the fear out of dealing with asthma. Use of a peak flow meter will help you and your child know when and how much medicine take, based on the instructions by your doctor. It is a small portable device your child can take to school or other activities. If an asthma episode is approaching, your child's teacher or school nurse can telephone you with your child's peak flow reading so you know how your child is breathing.
Your Child Needs an Asthma Management and Action Plan
Ask your doctor to develop an asthma management and asthma action plan for your child. The asthma management plan will be your child's day-to-day guide for managing asthma, where the action plan provides instructions on what to do when an asthma episode is approaching. These plans should be clearly communicated by your doctor with written instructions that both you and your child can follow.
An Asthma Management Plan will teach your child to:
Avoid what triggers asthma.
Take asthma management medications as prescribed.
Use a peak flow meter and record readings.
Keep an asthma symptom diary.
Recognize when an asthma flare is approaching.
Tell you when asthma medications are running low.
An Asthma Action Plan will teach your child to:
Tell you or another adult when an asthma flare is approaching.
Take asthma rescue medications as prescribed.
Asthma will be much less frightening if your child learns to control asthma. Remember, the asthma management skills you teach your child now will build the foundation he needs to grow into a healthy, happy adult.
For more information visit the following websites:
The Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics: www.aanma.org/
The American College of Allergy and Immunology: www.acaai.org/
The American Academy of Allergy and Immunology: www.aaaai.org/patients.stm