Preventive Care Services: Take Charge of Your Well-being
How can you be sure that your child has asthma? It can be scary to hear that your child has been diagnosed with respiratory sensitivity, but there are ways to manage the condition and help them to live an active life.
How will my child’s doctor know if it’s asthma?
Your child’s doctor may diagnose asthma based on your child’s lung function test, a medical history, and a physical exam. Doctor’s often use spirometry, a test to determine how your child’s lungs are working. This test measures how much air can be breathed in and out. It also measures how fast air is blown out.
The doctor will also determine if the asthma whether is intermittent, mild, moderate or severe before selecting treatment.
How can I manage my child’s asthma?
Many health care providers encourage children with asthma to use a peak-flow meter as part of an Asthma Action Plan.
A peak-flow meter is a handheld device that measures how well air is moving out of your child’s lungs. Your child blows hard into the device, and it shows a number. Your doctor may ask you to repeat this three times and record the highest reading. This number shows how well your child’s lungs are working at the time.
In some cases, your child may be feeling fine. A drop in the peak-flow meter number shows that your child’s asthma is starting to flare up. But by catching the problem early, you can treat it right away before things get worse.
What do I need to know about asthma?
Asthma makes your child’s airways swollen and very sensitive to certain things. These things that your child reacts to are your child’s triggers.
With a trigger:
These changes lessen the amount of air getting through your child’s airways. The result can be asthma symptoms. The good news: you can often prevent the changes or ease the symptoms by following your child’s Asthma Action Plan.
What are peak-flow meter numbers?
Ask your child’s doctor to help you find your child’s personal best peak-flow meter number. Then you can compare new peak-flow meter numbers to your child’s personal best to see how things are going. Here are some general guidelines:
Medication is also important in treating asthma. There are two main types of asthma medication. Many people with asthma take both types. Your child’s Asthma Action Plan should tell exactly how and when to use medication. Your child’s medication needs may change over time. If you have questions, ask your child’s doctor.
Using an inhaler
Most asthma medications are taken by inhaler with a device called a holding chamber or with a nebulizer, a machine that includes compressor tubing and a mask to deliver the medication. Both help your child breathe in the medication so that it goes straight to the lungs. Make sure your child knows how to use the equipment correctly. Your child’s doctor, nurse or pharmacist can teach you and your child the right way..
Working together with your asthma team can help you manage your child’s asthma. While asthma is a condition that typically doesn’t go way, by keeping on top of it, your child can enjoy a healthy and active life.
To learn more about Asthma and the Taking on Asthma initiative, visit our website!
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