Childhood Asthma How To Use Inhalers To Stop Your Child’s Worst Symptoms Childhood asthma is very stressful for a parent and child. As a parent, it is important for you to know about the disease, asthma medication, and how to use inhalers to help your child.
Asthma inhalers are very effective in delivering medication. This device changes the medicine into a breathable mist that goes directly to the lungs. Because the medicine is vaporized, it ensures that a child gets the full dose. And this is very important during an emergency.
Many medications for childhood asthma are delivered by inhalers and it is often difficult for a child to understand what to do. Any adolescent with childhood asthma should be able to perform the necessary sequence of breaths to take these medicines. Therefore he or she will know how what to do during anasthma attack.
To deal with asthma effectively you have to understand the disease and understand your child. Ask your child’s doctor to help you fill out an “Asthma Action Plan.” It is essential to have a written action plan that clearly states what asthma medication to take, when to use, and how to respond to an asthma attack. You or your child may not remember what to do at a time when it may be difficult for them to breathe, so it is essential to have the important details in writing.
You may be tempted to let your doctor make all the decisions, but there is so much more you can do than just administer medication. You can follow these simple steps to teach your child how to use an inhaler:
Step 1: Get the right diagnosis. If you suspect your child has asthma the first priority is correct diagnosis. if your child is experiencing breathing difficulties it is best to get them to a doctor whatever the cause. Talk with your health care professional. Ask questions until you are sure you understand exactly what is going on and what to do for your child. And ask your doctor nurse to demonstrate how to use the inhaler.
Step 2: Have a medication plan to treat and prevent asthma symptoms. Once your child is diagnosed with asthma, your pediatrician will form a medical plan to deal with your child’s symptom. It will be based be based on the severity of your child symptoms and guides you when to take emergency action during asthma attacks.
Step 3: Evaluate your child’s ability to breathe during an attack. Many children feel they cannot hold their breath for the required interval and end up dramatically gasping for air. If your asthmatic child has to take medicines through a metered dose inhaler it is often best to use it with a spacer or aero-chamber. If your child can breathe during with a nebulizer, it will deliver more medication directly to the lungs.
Step 4: Instruct your child about the medication. Teach your child how to use inhaler and tell him or her to carry it at all times. It is best to do it before an attack happens. With practice, your child will feel more confident when breathing problems occur. If necessary, your child can take a puff before any strenuous activity and after the activity winds down .
Step 5: Teach your school and other care givers about asthma medication. Asthma medication is a drug that has to be administered correctly for it to be effective. One of the best things that you can do for your child is to make sure that all caregivers and school officials are aware of how to treat child hood asthma. Each child is different so a written asthma action plan should be available for everyone if your child needs help.
Childhood asthma can be very traumatic. It is important you and your child remain calm during an attack as panic can produce more breathing difficulties. If you teach your child about the basic steps of using an inhaler, it will go far so that he or she can take care when you are not there.
