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For a parent, there can be few things more distressing than to see your child in the grip of a severe asthma attack. When your physician has confirmed that your child is indeed asthmatic, then you must attempt to educate yourself in all aspects of this disease, which is one of the most chronic diseases of childhood.

An attack occurs when the airways of the respiratory tract become narrowed as a result of inflammation. Such narrowing leads to breathing difficulties and the noisy wheezing associated with an asthma attack. Children have naturally smaller airways and when they experience breathing problems they tend to panic, and parents having to deal with the situation feel helpless.

It is important to realize that there are allergic and non-allergic triggers to an asthma attack: a non-allergic attack, for example, could be induced by exercise which means that sports teachers and coaches must be informed about the child's condition and about the appropriate medication that could be required in the event of an attack.

The excitement of a birthday, or the stress of a looming school examination could provoke an attack, and these are commonplace events in any child's calendar. A simple cold may lead to the respiratory tract becoming affected by narrowing, ensuing in an asthma attack.

You, the parent, should be aware that there is an inherent tendency in this disease and if either parent is asthmatic, then there is a risk that the child will also develop it; the likelihood is naturally even greater if both parents are asthmatic - as high as 75% You are not able to control inherent factors, of course, but you can take sensible measures to reduce the risks and the frequency of attacks, by being attentive to your child's immediate surroundings. For example, a mild form of asthma can be considerably worsened by the presence in the home, or car, of cigarette smoke. This is something you can achieve: ensure a clean, smoke-free environment for the child asthmatic.

The home should be as dust free as possible as dust-laden air which is filled with dust mites is a sure trigger for an attack. It is recommended that daily vacuuming, especially of carpets, should be a routine measure.
Children with asthma often display an allergy to pets, and fur or feathers will be observed to trigger an attack.
As the parent of a child who has been diagnosed as asthmatic, you will naturally want to ascertain what causes the attacks and eliminate as many of them as you can.

You certainly must not despair of your ability to cope, but understanding the disease can enormously help your self-confidence. There are medications that can help the young patient and you must ensure that you understand how to administer them.
Above all, when your child is gripped by an attack, DO NOT PANIC! Instead, retain a calm attitude that will transmit to the patient and that will reassure him or her. Many children "grow out" of asthma, or experience fewer attacks as they grow older.

Learn more about this author, Anne Penny.
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