Caring for Your Asthmatic Child

Asthma affects many children, regardless of age group, and it is always heart wrenching to see a child struggle to breathe. If your child suffers from asthma, whether it be mild or severe, it is extremely important to know what you can do to prevent an attack. This may include rearranging household items such as dust-attracting curtains or changing your child’s mattress. At Latex Mattress, we are proud of our hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial, and non-toxic mattresses that ensure a safe and sound sleep for all our customers. If you are after some more tips to help you look after your asthmatic child, here are some guidelines you may want to consider following.

Regular visits to the doctor

Asthma is a temperamental disease and can change without you even knowing about it. The best way to stay on top of these changes is to visit your doctor regularly, even if your child is healthy. These visits also enable your doctor to check if the prescribed medications are working, and to update them if need be. It’s also good for your peace of mind.

Know the triggers

Every child’s triggers are different, and it is important that you know the triggers for your child. This may range from cigarette smoke to sudden changes in weather – some of these may be avoidable and others may not, so it is important to be vigilant. Once you know your child’s triggers, keep an eye out for them and have prevention plans in place.

Action plan

Make sure you have a clear plan for asthma attacks and that it is written down (or typed out) and visible in the house like the fridge. Your doctor will most likely have an action plan for your child. This will include the types of medication that should be used and how to most effectively manage an attack when they happen. Most action plans will involve staying calm and using a reliever, and should be updated if and when your child is prescribed a different medication.

Exercise

Your child can still exercise if they have asthma – in fact, it is important for good all round health. Swimming is one of the best sports for asthmatic children as it encourages and strengthens the muscles used for breathing. It also allows for the breathing of warm, moist air which is better for the lungs than air that is cold and dry. Walking and bicycle riding are also great ways for asthmatic children to exercise, as are sports that allow for breaks in the action.

Looking after an asthmatic child can be challenging, but it is definitely manageable. The tips above are merely some general recommendations on how you can care for a child with asthma – if you have any serious questions, ask or visit your doctor.