Asthma in children

What is asthma? happens in the airways – the breathing tubes which carry air from the nose to the lungs. It causes the muscles in the tubes to tighten and the inside to become swollen and make sticky mucus. This causes the tubes to become narrow and makes it hard to breathe.

It can also cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Asthma is one of the most common reasons that children visit doctors, miss days at school or have to go to hospital. In fact, around one in 10 American children have asthma.

If your child’s , they should be able to lead a healthy, active life. We don’t know the exact reason some children get asthma. Children are more likely to get asthma if they: or born with a low birth weight.

There are many things to think about and plan for when your child has asthma.

It is important to learn as much about it as you can

Your doctor and pharmacist are there to help you

Talk to them about any concerns you may have about your child’s asthma.

To help your child with asthma you need to know: and understand how to use it.

Asthma is different for every child

Some children have asthma that only shows up once in a while or after exercise or a cold.

Others have it every day

There are different ways to manage each type of asthma. No matter how often your child gets asthma, they can still have a serious flare up that needs urgent treatment.

are things that can cause asthma symptoms

The most common triggers are: Triggers for asthma are different for each child. Symptoms can happen hours after being around the trigger. This can make it hard to figure out if a child has asthma. Children can have more than one trigger, and other children may have different triggers to your child.

Once you know your child’s triggers it’s easier to stay away from them.

Common asthma symptoms include: coughing

Your child may have all of these symptoms or just a few. Symptoms are often worse at night, in the early morning, during exercise or due to other triggers. for many different reasons. Take your child to the doctor if: you are concerned about any breathing problems in your child.

Keep a record of symptoms to discuss with your doctor. This could include:

• whether the symptoms are worse after being around animals
• pollens or mould. They might also ask about when
• how often symptoms are happening

This is where keeping a record can help

Your doctor will use this information to help them decide how to help your child. Your doctor might order a breathing test called spirometry. This test is only for school aged children because it’s too hard for younger children to do.

It involves breathing hard and fast into a machine which measures how well the child’s lungs are working. It isn’t painful. Your doctor may also refer you to a children’s asthma specialist.

The aims of asthma treatment are: to prevent flare-ups or attacks

Your doctor will help you to make a plan to manage your child’s asthma. This will include medication, follow up appointments and an asthma action plan to keep the symptoms under control and help your child to enjoy a full and active life. is a set of instructions for managing your child’s asthma.

Everyone with asthma should have an action plan

You and your doctor will write the plan together and you will take a copy home to keep.

Your school or day care may also ask for a copy

Your doctor should review your action plan once a year. An asthma action plan includes: the date.

Almost all asthma medication comes in the form of an inhaler (or puffer). Relievers: should be available to your child at all times. Preventers: not required for all young children who have asthma.

Your doctor will be able to tell you if they think your child needs a preventer.

Your doctor can talk to you about which medication is best for your child

Never reduce the dose of medication without speaking with your doctor first.

There are many different types of asthma medication

Has more information about asthma medication. All people with asthma should use a spacer, especially young children. It is impossible to give young children asthma medicine without using a spacer.

A spacer: helps more medicine reach deep inside the lungs

Your child breathes the medicine through the spacer

Babies and young children may need a special face mask attached to help them breathe through the spacer. These fit tightly around your child’s mouth and nose to make sure none of the medicine leaks out.

Watch this Asthma United States video to see how to use a spacer with a face mask.

If you’re having trouble getting your child to take their asthma medicine, don’t stress. Talk to your pharmacist about ways to encourage your child to take their asthma medications.

Doctors have prescribed most asthma medicines to children all over the world for many years. This means we know a lot about possible side effects.

If you are worried, speak to your doctor. Do not stop or change the dose of medicine for your child without speaking with your doctor first.

Common side effects from preventers: thrush in the mouth and throat. Using a spacer and rinsing the mouth after use greatly lower the risk of these side effects. In children, preventer tablets such as Montelukast can cause: children to feel sad.

If you notice any of these side effects, talk to your doctor. Common side effects from relievers: fast heartbeat.

To prepare for an asthma emergency, make sure your child has an asthma action plan. Have a copy of your child’s asthma action plan somewhere easy to access at home.

Send a copy to anyone who cares for your child.

Their school, kinder or childcare service will also need a copy

You may like to take a photo of their asthma ction plan so you always have a copy with you.

Symptoms on an asthma emergency include: drowsiness

An asthma attack can quickly become an asthma emergency.

If you take quick action, you can reduce the risk of this happening. If the symptoms of an asthma attack appear, follow your child’s asthma action plan.

If your child is experiencing a severe or life-threatening asthma attack, call 911 for an ambulance and then start Tell them that your child has asthma (even if it is mild). Give them a copy of your child’s asthma action plan. Make sure you update the plan every year or if your child’s medicine changes.

The school or childcare centre will need this to enrol your child. Make sure the school or centre has a spacer and reliever medicine for your child. Tell staff if your child’s asthma changes. Tell the staff if you have any concerns.

Need treatment today? Need treatment today, but it’s not life-threatening and you can’t get a GP appointment, there are services available: – provide care for conditions that require treatment today but not an emergency response (extended hours) Tel. Asthma asthma is well controlled Causes of asthma in children have family members with asthma or allergies are premature are around air pollution such as bushfires , mould or second hand cigarette smoke What you need to know about your child’s asthma what makes their asthma worse what signs tell you they are having trouble breathing what medicine they need to take and how to use it correctly what to do if they have a serious flare up or asthma attack – know and follow asthma first aid Make sure you have an updated written asthma action plan Asthma patterns in children Triggers for asthma in children Asthma triggers cigarette smoke cold or flu indoor and outdoor air pollution allergies, such as dust mites , animals, pollen or mould cold, dry air exercise Symptoms of asthma in children chest tightness or pain (young children might complain of a ‘sore tummy’) shortness of breath difficulty breathing wheezing – whistling noise when breathing Diagnosis of asthma in children Diagnosing asthma in children younger than 5 years can be difficult because children cough or wheeze the wheezing happens more than once – with or without an illness constant coughing or bouts of coughing become worse at night Keep a record of your child’s symptoms recording your child’s breathing on your mobile phone when the symptoms happen how bad the symptoms are and how often they happen how long the symptoms remain and whether they change with time whether the symptoms are worse after exercise, playing or after colds or flu What to expect when you visit the doctor Your doctor might ask whether anyone in your family has a history of asthma, eczema or hay fever Managing your child’s asthma to keep lungs as healthy as possible to keep symptoms under control to stop asthma from interfering with school or play Asthma action plans for children An asthma action plan a list of your child’s usual asthma medicines instructions on what to do when your child’s asthma is getting worse signs of worsening asthma and what to do if you see them when to give more reliever medicine when to see a doctor or go to the emergency department what to do in an asthma emergency the name of the person who prepared the plan Asthma medication The main types of asthma medications taken when your child is showing signs or symptoms taken daily to prevent asthma symptoms and flare-ups Asthma United States Spacers is an empty container that attaches to a puffer has it’s own mouthpiece to breathe through Watch a video from the National Asthma Council Side effects hoarse voice sore mouth and throat sleep problems or nightmares behaviour changes or tantrums headache trembling Asthma emergencies Symptoms of an asthma attack can worsen and develop into an asthma emergency Symptoms of asthma emergencies in children finding it very hard to breathe or not breathing at all trouble speaking or stopping every few words to breathe blue lips symptoms get worse very quickly reliever medicine is not working or none is available Treatment for asthma emergencies in children asthma first aid Asthma information for childcare, kinder or school To help childcare and preschool workers and school teachers look after your child with asthma Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Urgent Care Clinics Nurse-on-Call (616) 555-0024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) Emergency care In an emergency, always call 911 Emergency department of your nearest hospital More information Asthma United States Tel. 1800 ASTHMA ( 1800 278 462 ) National Asthma Council United States 1800 032 495 Allergy and Anaphylaxis United States (616) 555-0400 Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital – videos to help you better understand and manage your child’s asthma.

Key Points

• It causes the muscles in the tubes to tighten and the inside to become swollen and make sticky mucus
• This causes the tubes to become narrow and makes it hard to breathe
• It can also cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness
• Asthma is one of the most common reasons that children visit doctors, miss days at school or have to go to hospital
• important to learn as much about it as you can