physical activity. However, as a more comprehensive management approach, inhaled corticosteroids play a vital role. They serve as the cornerstone of asthma treatment for individuals with mild, moderate, or severe asthma.
Can my child play sports, exercise or participate in recess if they have asthma?
I want to emphasize that asthma should not deter individuals from engaging in physical activity; however, it’s crucial that they exercise comfortably and safely. If they experience breathing difficulties during physical activities, they should stop immediately.
It’s essential for schools to be aware of students’ asthma conditions. Physicians can provide documentation for this purpose, ensuring that the school is informed. If a young student cannot self-administer medication, school staff should be trained in its proper use.
It’s vital that schools avoid pushing asthmatic students through their symptoms. There’s a misconception that they should “push harder,” but for asthmatics, it’s essential to stop, catch their breath, take their prescribed medication, and restore their breathing capacity before resuming physical activities.
Our goal is for students to be active and participate in sports once their asthma is well-controlled.
For students with symptoms during physical activities, we advise taking albuterol 15 minutes before the activity, with teachers and coaches aware of this plan. If symptoms persist during practice, students should know they can take a second dose as needed.
How can parents support children with asthma at home?
There are several steps you can take at home to manage your child’s asthma effectively. A knowledgeable healthcare provider, whether a general pediatrician or a pulmonologist, can assist parents in this endeavor to minimize the need for emergency room visits and prevent severe asthma episodes. The primary goal is to maintain optimal asthma control.
First and foremost, ensure that your child is following the appropriate maintenance medication regimen. This step is crucial, especially for children with severe, persistent asthma. Even with meticulous efforts to manage environmental factors at home, it can be nearly impossible without the right medication.
Some factors, like weather changes and the risk of catching viral colds, cannot be entirely controlled. While good hygiene practices can help reduce the risk, children may still contract colds when attending school. Pollution levels, another uncontrollable factor, can also impact asthma symptoms, especially in places like Los Angeles, which presents unique challenges for asthma management.
While certain factors are beyond our control, it’s essential to emphasize the importance of being on the correct controller medication to maintain baseline inflammation control, tailored to the child’s asthma severity level.
Understanding your child’s asthma triggers is crucial for providing specific assistance.
For example, while weather may not affect one child, dust could be a significant trigger. Therefore, it’s essential to adopt a precise approach to household dusting, such as starting with wet dusting before proceeding with dry dusting. Additionally, regularly replacing air filters and monitoring whether activities like using the air conditioner or heating system worsen the child’s symptoms are important. It’s also necessary to consider the impact of pets in the home—does the child have allergies to specific types of pets, and how severe are these allergies? If the allergies are moderate and manageable, there may still be viable options.
When to seek emergency care?
If a child is breathing rapidly with deep, gasping breaths or exhibiting shallow breathing, and if they’re unable to speak in full sentences, these are all concerning signs that warrant immediate attention. I strongly advise against disregarding these symptoms; it’s crucial to consider them as indicators for seeking emergency medical care. Additionally, while wheezing can be a common asthma symptom, it’s important to recognize that it’s not the only factor to monitor. If you observe a combination of frequent wheezing, persistent coughing, and the child struggling to catch their breath, these signs can collectively signal a serious situation. Waiting until the child appears extremely fatigued is a risky delay; instead, it’s advisable to call 911 promptly.
Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Common Breathing Problems in Kids and How to Treat Them