Unfortunately, asthma is something that occurs in more than one out of five children. As parents, it can be heartbreaking to watch your little one gasp for air. And while asthma cannot always be entirely cured, there are some strategies that parents can put in place to help soothe their child’s symptoms and reduce their suffering.
Here are some of the most practical tips for managing your child’s asthma, and increasing their comfort.
Create an Asthma-Friendly Environment
The first place you want to start is with your own home. You want to create an asthma-friendly environment that doesn’t flare up your child’s symptoms. Dust all surfaces, vacuum regularly, and use allergen-free products. You should also consider installing a humidifier, to purify your home’s air. Lastly, and hopefully, obviously, you should avoid smoking around your child at all costs—this also includes burning substances like incense. Any sort of smoke in their lungs could lead to an asthma attack, so be careful about what you expose them to.
Develop a Plan
In the event that your child has an asthma attack, it’s critical that you have a plan in place. Your plan should include what steps you should take and should be specifically tailored to your child’s type of asthma. You should know exactly which medications you need to give them and when you should turn to emergency care. Make sure that everyone in your family is familiar with these steps so that even if you’re not home, you know that your child will be well looked after and you can avoid disaster.
Encourage Physical Activity
Although you might want to wrap your child up in bubble wrap and keep them safe from any potential dangers, believe it or not, one of the most important things you should do is encourage physical activity. Encourage your child to engage in sports, as exercise can improve their lung function and strengthen their lungs.
By strengthening their lungs, this may reduce the severity of their asthma attacks as time goes on. Yet, it’s important to stress that not every activity is suitable for asthma sufferers. Extreme physical exertion can be dangerous, so try to take it slow unless otherwise instructed by your physician. In addition to physical activity, you should also encourage a healthy diet and plenty of rest. Otherwise, you may reverse all of the hard work you put in.
Stay Vigilant
Perhaps one of the most important things you can do is to always stay vigilant and prepared should your child’s asthma kick in. Because, despite your best efforts, you just never know when a flare-up can hit. Look for the early warning signs, from wheezing to shortness of breath.
Always be ready to act quickly by having the right materials on hand. Carry your emergency medication and inhalers with you; this will ensure you’re well-prepared wherever you are. Not to mention, being prepared at all times can provide extra peace of mind not only for you but also for your child.
