Important Lifestyle Tips for Managing Your Child’s Asthma
For those who suffer from asthma, finding ways to manage their symptoms is crucial to protecting their health and general way of life. This is especially the case for parents with asthmatic children. Not only are younger individuals with asthma more likely to get attacks, but it’s also harder for them to understand why it’s happening or how to stop it. Because of this, parents should incorporate the management of this condition into their family’s daily life and teach them why it’s important. Here are a few tips for managing your child’s asthma to get you started.
Create an Action Plan
A vital part of learning how to manage your child’s asthma symptoms is knowing exactly how to react in the case of an emergency. No matter how hard you work to avoid an attack, the chances are high that one will still occasionally occur. For this reason, it’s important that both you and your child have a plan in place so that you can resolve the situation quickly. These plans, sometimes provided by the doctor, should have clear, written instructions for what medicines to take, when to take them, and emergency response steps. This way, you’re equipped to handle attacks regardless of the circumstances.
Teach Them to Take Medicine as Prescribed
Along with ensuring your child has an understanding of the action plan, you should also teach them how and when to take their medicine. As they get older, they can begin taking more of an active role in controlling their symptoms and having this knowledge available is crucial to their success. Begin by showing them the best ways to administer the medication and getting them into a routine of doing it themselves each day. Once your child understands the routine, they may only need the occasional reminder.
Identify and Limit Exposure to Triggers
Asthma triggers are anything that could potentially irritate your child’s airways and cause a flare-up. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to find out what your child’s triggers are and try to eliminate as many of them as possible from your home. Some common child asthma triggers include pollen, excessive dust or dander, mold, and drastic weather changes. Respiratory infections or illnesses, such as the common cold, can also trigger asthma attacks.
Embrace Technology
Another useful tip for managing your child’s asthma is to incorporate technology into their general care routine. Modern advancements in health monitoring technology allow us to bring formerly hospital-exclusive equipment home with us. Home pulse oximeters, in particular, help with managing asthma because they provide frequent and accurate information on your child’s oxygen levels. These tools, with designated telehealth solutions, allow us to transmit current health information directly to our doctors. This can be incredibly helpful in staying informed of your child’s well-being and saving time when notifying the doctor of any changes.
