Health Services
Understanding and Managing Your Child's Asthma
Asthma should not necessarily restrict your child's ability to exercise, run or play. It is important to encourage your child to participate in enjoyable activities without going beyond physical limits. To do this, the child and adults must have an understanding of the condition, the many factors that contribute to attacks and what to do when an attack occurs.
The following answers some common questions about asthma and what to do if your child suffers an asthma attack.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a noncontagious disease that may "run in the family." In asthma, the airways in the lungs become swollen and inflamed, and the muscles around them tighten. The lungs also produce excess mucus. This makes it very difficult to breathe.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Signs of asthma include rapid and labored breathing, a whistling or wheezing sound with each breath, a cough and tightness in the chest. These symptoms occur during an asthma attack.
How is asthma diagnosed?
Your physician can diagnose your child's asthma and evaluate your child's medical and family history. A physical examination also will be necessary, during which your physician will listen to your child's breathing. Certain laboratory tests also are helpful in diagnosing asthma. These tests determine pulmonary function, blood counts and allergies.
What causes asthma attacks?
Many factors can trigger asthma attacks. Being aware of these triggers can help you control your child's condition more effectively. The following factors have been found to cause asthma attacks:
| • | Airborne substances including pollen, dust, animal dander, smoke, automobile exhaust and certain chemical |
| • | Emotional stress such as excitement, anxiety, or even prolonged laughing or crying |
| • | Environmental changes in humidity or temperature |
| • | Respiratory infections |
| • | Strenuous exercise |
What treatments are available for asthma?
Physicians commonly prescribe two kinds of medicines to treat asthma — bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory agents. One kind of bronchodilator acts quickly to relax the muscles that tighten around airways. They are available to provide rapid relief. These are called short-acting bronchodilator. There is also a long-acting bronchodilator that helps prevent episodes of asthma. This type of bronchodilator should not be taken for treatment of sudden symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as corticosteroid and cromolyn, take longer to work that bronchodilator. They are used to prevent and reduce inflammation and swelling of the airways.
How can I manage my child's asthma?
Managing your child's asthma correctly is the most important effort you can make to ensure that your child leads a normal and healthy life. Your best start is forming a strong partnership with your child's physician. Together, you can develop a personalized treatment plan to help control symptoms.
If your child suffers an asthma attack, here are some ways to manage it:
| • | Be aware of your child's warning signs so you can start treatment early. |
| • | Reduce exposure to whatever may be causing the asthma episodes. If you can, remove the allergen or irritant. |
| • | Follow your physician's orders regarding the dose and frequency of medicines. |
| • | Try to stay calm. |
| • | Encourage your child to rest so you can observe whether the treatment is working. |
| • | Carefully observe your child's condition. If you have a peak-flow meter, check your child's peak-flow rate five to 10 minutes after each treatment to see if airflow is improving. |
| • | If you need help, call a friend, family member or neighbor. |
| • | Contact your physician if necessary. |
How can I help my child avoid asthma triggers?
You can create an environment that reduces the chance of your child having an asthma attack. Here are some suggestions:
Home environment
For children with asthma, the ideal atmosphere is as free as possible of asthma triggers. Although it may be impossible to remove every trigger from your home, you can alter some things to provide cleaner and healthier air.
| • | Air-conditioning may offer relief from some airborne triggers. If air-conditioning every room is not an option, then a window unit for your child's bedroom is an alternative. A filter or damp cheesecloth over vents can trap airborne particles in houses with forced-air heat. |
| • | Avoid exposure to pets, particularly cats. Animal dander and animal saliva are known allergens. Do not smoke, and initiate a no-smoking policy in the home. If these efforts are not possible, designate pets and smokers to areas outdoors or to rooms in the house that are far removed from your child's bedroom. This will ensure that your child has a healthy retreat when needed. |
| • | Prevent situations that encourage mold to form: keep bathrooms clean and dry; install a dehumidifier; check foods for spoilage; dry your freshly laundered clothes promptly; and do not cultivate too many house plants because moist potting soil can be a haven for mold. |
| • | Stress also can be a contributor to asthma episodes. Tension and anxiety cause the airway muscles to tighten. This makes breathing more difficult. Have your child try stress-reduction techniques to help your child relax and control the asthma. |
| • | The simpler you decorate, the better. Remove as many dust-trapping items as possible. Ornate and upholstered furniture, knickknacks, draperies and floor coverings collect dust. Use furnishings that are easily cleaned, such as vinyl-covered couches, washable shades and wood or linoleum flooring. When cleaning your home, a dampened dust cloth will attract particles and keep them from becoming airborne. |
| • | Use synthetic pillows in your child's bedroom. Cover mattresses and box springs with allergen-proof covers for additional protection. Use washable cotton or synthetic bedding. |
Foods and Drugs
| • | Medications and things your child eats also can trigger an asthma episode. Processed foods contain chemicals, called sulfiting agents, which are added as preservatives. Foods that may contain these chemicals include dried fruits, fruit juices and vegetables. Many children may need to avoid sulfiting agents because these chemicals may initiate an asthma episode. Other foods can cause your child to experience an allergic reaction that may trigger an asthma episode. Common culprits are cheese and dairy products, citrus fruits, tomatoes, seafood and corn. |
| • | Certain drugs have been identified as asthma triggers. Aspirin and aspirinlike medicines are likely to instigate the occurrence of symptoms in children with recurring sinusitis and have nasal polyps. Beta-adrenergic blocking agents — which are used to treat migraines, rapid heart rate, congestive heart failure, tremor and glaucoma — also are known to provoke asthma episodes. |
It is important to always follow the advice of your physician. Be sure to ask if there are any foods or drugs your child should avoid. Do not give your child any medications other than those for asthma without first asking your physician. Notify your physician when your child experiences any unusual reactions to foods or drugs.
What is exercise-induced asthma?
For some children with asthma, exercise is the only trigger of an attack. Exercise-induced asthma occurs when the airways in the chest narrow and constrict within a few minutes after exercise. Usually the attack reaches its peak about five to 10 minutes after exercising and continues for another 20 to 30 minutes. If untreated, exercise-induced asthma can disrupt children's lives and prevent them from participating in many activities they enjoy. The attacks may last only a few minutes, but they can be very frightening and can cause you to limit your child's activities unnecessarily.
How can I control exercise-induced asthma?
The goal of treatment in exercise-induced asthma is to allow your child to participate in physical activities without experiencing asthma symptoms. You can work with your physician to develop a plan to manage and control your child's condition. Here are some strategies that you may want to include in your management plan:
| • | Assess your child's present activity level. Evaluate the kinds of activities your child can do and the lengths of time for each activity. Talk to your physician about increasing your child's participation in these activities or even trying new ones. |
| • | Discuss with your physician the appropriate time to give medication in relation to your child's exercise schedule. |
| • | Keep a diary of your child's activities, noting when symptoms occur and what measures relieve those symptoms. Review this diary with your physician. |
| • | Pace your child and encourage resting, if necessary, during physical exertion. It also may help to have your child do warmup and cool-down exercises before beginning an activity. |
| • | Talk about your child's asthma with family, friends, teachers and coworkers. Information about asthma and ways to help your child will increase their understanding and enhance their support. |
When should I seek medical care?
If you feel that your child's condition is not improving, you should seek medical care. Here are some ways to decide if your child needs emergency treatment:
| • | Your child has trouble doing any activity. |
| • | Your child seems to struggle for breath, hunch over, or suck in chest and neck muscles with each attempt to breathe. |
| • | Your child's fingertips or fingernails turn gray or blue. If this happens, seek emergency medical treatment immediately. |
| • | Your child's peak-flow rate declines or stays the same after using a bronchodilator. |
| • | Your child's wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath get worse even after medication has had time to work. |
If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your physician or a pediatrics nurse. You also may call the Pediatrics Unit at (319) 768-2800.
This information is selective and does not include all possible side effects and complications resulting from this medical condition, diagnostic procedure or treatment. Potential complications should be discussed in more detail with your physician.