Lyons Leadership

Childrens asthma attacks can be caused by a reaction to certain substances or airborne irritants. This can then irritate the airways causing excessive mucus to be produced by the body in an attempt to lubricate the dry airway. The build-up of this mucus can cause a narrowing of the airway, leading to a shortness of breath and the wheezing sound characteristic of an asthma attack.

While airborne irritants can be asthma triggers, an attack can also be brought on by exercise, an infection, a change in the weather or even emotional factors. Proper care of your child during an asthma attack is vitally important.

Keeping a diary will help parents to easily get track of possible stimulus that causes their child’s asthma to flare-up. Every time your child has a sudden onset of asthma attack, identify what triggered it – you can ask your child what he/she was doing prior to the attack. Ask simple questions that can help pinpoint the main stimuli to determine what usually causes your child’s asthma attack. After you have identified it, make sure to eliminate or keep your child away from this asthma stimulus.

Of course you should always consult the appropriate health care professionals on a regular basis to help with management of your child’s asthma. It is important that you and your child both feel that you can trust your doctor and that you can turn to them for advice when you need it.

In severe cases a strict asthma management plan may have to be followed to control your child’s asthma. It is vital in these cases to establish a good relationship with your child’s physician and be prepared to ask questions if there is anything you do not understand in the management plan. Don’t forget that you may have to explain your child’s asthma management to her carer or school teacher.

The 3 most important factors in the care of a child with asthma are proper treatment, knowledge of what causes it and care of the child.

An asthma attack is definitely unpredictable but once you are prepared it can easily be stabilized. Being able to stabilize your child’s asthma condition will lessen the burden that asthma inflicts to your child. Certainly, your child’s asthma condition would generate improvements with appropriate asthma home management while consistently coordinating with health professionals.

While there are many steps you can take to manage and control your child’s asthma, never forget that your love and reassurance are the most important thing to your child. A relaxed and caring attitude is just as important as medical intervention.