Tips for Managing Asthma in Children

Asthma affects about 20 million Americans today, and it can be particularly common in children.

Research shows that 1 out of every 10 children in the United States has asthma. In fact, it’s the most common chronic illness affecting kids and is the leading cause of missed school days. Additionally, childhood asthma places more limits on activity in kids than any other health condition.

Childhood asthma can have a huge impact on the entire family. For parents, there’s the stress of worrying about your child’s health, understanding and sticking to complicated treatment plans, getting medications and trying to manage and prevent asthma attacks.

For children, even the mildest symptoms of asthma can cause problems such as time away from school, missing out on activities with friends and family and having fewer opportunities to socialize with other children.

Children with recurrent cough, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath may have one or more forms of asthma. Left untreated, asthmatic children often have less stamina than other children, or they avoid physical activities to prevent coughing or wheezing.

Sometimes they will complain that their chest hurts or that they cannot catch their breath. Colds may "go straight to their chest." They may cough when sick, particularly at night.

Asthma has multiple causes, and it is not uncommon for two or more different causes to be present in one child. Asthma is not just wheezing. Coughing, recurrent bronchitis and shortness of breath, especially when exercising, are also ways that asthma appears.

The good news is that you, your family, physician and school personnel can work together to prevent and/or control asthma in your child. Here are some tips to get you started.

Seek Regular Medical Review from the Pediatrician

To ensure that your child’s asthma is well controlled, it is important that his asthma management is reviewed regularly, even when he feels well, at least every six months or more often if needed.

Keep a Symptom Diary

A symptom diary is a record of the type of symptoms your child experiences, during the day and night, whether his sleep is disturbed due to symptoms or not. Record how often he felt the symptoms (or not), when he took his medication, how often and how he felt. Share this information with your healthcare provider at every visit.

Have an Asthma Action Plan

This is a written plan designed especially for your child to help you manage his asthma. It is based on changes in your child’s symptoms and will give you information on what to do when your child is well or when the asthma worsens.

Childcare, Schools and Before and After School Care

To assist children's services and school staff, it is important they are aware that your child has asthma, or has previously been treated for asthma, and what first aid instructions you would like them to follow if your child has asthma symptoms in their care.

Medication Management

Make sure your child follows the medication and treatment plan prescribed by the pediatrician or healthcare provider. Record how your child feels before and after the treatment in the symptom diary on a regular basis.

 Don't miss the FREE 2nd Annual Asthma Summit!

Do you or someone you know have asthma? Join local experts Dr. Keyvan Rafei, Dr. Patrick Breysse, Kate Scott, RN, MPS, and Dr. Scott Krugman and learn the latest on asthma care for children and adults. Learn about symptoms, treatment options and the information and resources available to manage your asthma.

Information and panel discussion on available programs and resources for those who are uninsured and underinsured will follow the presentations.

When: Monday, May 23, 2011; 8 a.m.–noon

Where: Franklin Square Hospital Center's Crawford Conference Center, 9000 Franklin Square Drive, Baltimore, MD 21237

To Register: Call 443-777-7900 or visit franklinsquare.org/classes.