Managing Asthma in Children: Tips for Parents

Dr. Michael Taymor and Dr. Lama Rimawi help children and adolescents manage asthma in Palo Alto, CA. Read some tips for parents to help your child avoid asthma triggers and attacks, and contact us today for an appointment.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is an inflammatory lung disease. In a patient with asthma, the upper airways are sensitive and become inflamed, which results in difficulty breathing. It is hard to pinpoint what causes a patient to have asthma, but is generally accepted that a combination of genetic and environmental factors contribute.

Asthma symptoms flare up when exposed to triggers. Some common asthma triggers are viral infections like a cold, or environmental factors like smoke, dust, mold, and pet dander.

Does My Child Have Asthma?

If your child has asthma, they could experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing sound when exhaling
• Chest tightness
• Inflamed airways
• Spike in symptoms when exposed to a trigger

It is alarming to hear your child wheezing and struggling to breathe, but we can evaluate them for asthma and help start treatment.

How Is Asthma Treated?

Some children notice asthma symptoms subside as their airways grow and develop, but many live with asthma their entire lives. Other than avoiding triggers, many patients with asthma benefit from a medication regimen. Asthma medications can be allergy medications or long-acting asthma medications that work daily to prevent flare-ups. Short-acting medications are delivered with an inhaler in case of an attack.

How Can I Help My Child?

Asthma is a chronic condition that can last years or a lifetime, but you can help your child manage their symptoms to keep them healthy. Instituting a regular cleaning schedule for linens and dust at home can help reduce exposure to allergens and avoid triggers. Using an air purifier in your home also helps reduce the allergens your child breathes in.

When your child does get exposed to a trigger and experiences a flare-up, ensure they use their prescribed medication or inhaler. For a severe attack, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Make An Appointment Now

Dr. Michael Taymor and Dr. Lama Rimawi are your expert pediatricians when you have a child struggling with asthma in Palo Alto, CA. Contact us to make an appointment at (650) 321-7722.