Register for Health Tips For Kids Coping With Asthma And Allergies
PediatricsNovember 5, 2001
2001 NOV 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- For millions of children with asthma and allergies, fall can mean that uncomfortable symptoms like wheezing and sneezing may interfere with their daily lives at school and play. Asthma, one of the most common chronic pediatric conditions in the nation, affects millions of children and often is associated with allergies.
Allergies are the sixth most common chronic condition in the United States. However, asthma and allergies are conditions which, with proper medical care, are treatable. By following just a few simple steps, parents can help control the frequency and severity of their child's asthma and allergy episodes, keeping their child healthy and ready for the classroom.
"As cases of pediatric asthma continue to rise, it is more important than ever that parents, school nurses and doctors team up to make sure kids with asthma stay healthy," said John Clark, MD, a board certified family practitioner in New York, New York. "It is equally important that the condition doesn't interfere with a child's learning. Currently, asthma is the leading cause of missed school days, accounting for 10 million absences per year. With all the knowledge and treatment options we have today, we can reduce that number and make sure that children with asthma don't miss valuable class time."
Here are 10 tips that parents of children with asthma and allergies should know:
* Have a plan. With your child's physician, complete a written action plan for school professionals that provides detailed information about your child's asthma and allergies management program and emergency contact information. This should include information about specific asthma warning signs and your child's medication needs. An example of an asthma action plan can be viewed at www.schoolasthmaallergy.com.
* Tell the teacher. Meet with school personnel, such as a school nurse, physical education coach or teacher, to discuss your child's asthma and allergies. Go over the information they need to help care for your child's condition and find out about the school's medication policies.
* Know your triggers. It is important to be aware of the things in your child's environment that tend to make his or her asthma or allergies worse, and to minimize exposure to those triggers. It is a good idea to give a list of your child's asthma or allergy triggers to school personnel. A complete list of asthma triggers can be viewed at www.freebreather.com.
* Take care of allergies. Asthma often is associated with allergies. Some allergens, including pollen, mold, animal dander, dust mites, and irritants like cigarette smoke, can trigger an asthma attack. To control asthma, talk with your child's physician about appropriate treatment and avoiding exposure to allergens. For possible treatment options talk to your doctor and visit www.myhealth.com.
* Go with the peak flow. The peak flow meter is the single most important tool in managing asthma. It measures how well air moves out of the lungs and can detect subtle lung changes hours or even days before a patient feels symptoms. To start using the peak flow meter, you need to determine your child's personal best peak flow rate, which is the highest peak flow number reached over a two-week period when there are no asthma symptoms present, and be aware of the expected range for the child's height and gender. For specific information on how to measure with peak flow meters, log on to www.schoolasthmaallergy.com or www.freebreather.com.
* Know your child's zones. Peak flow readings fall into one of three zones and will help keep your child's asthma in check. The green zone (80% to 100% of your child's personal best peak flow reading) signals good control over asthma. The yellow zone (50% to 79% of your child's personal best) signals caution - your child's asthma is getting worse. Make sure he or she takes quick- relief medicines. You may also need to increase other asthma medicines, as directed by your child's doctor. The red zone (below 50% of your personal best) signals medical alert. Add or increase quick-relief medicines and call your doctor immediately.
* Take medication as directed. Because each case of asthma and allergies is different, treatment needs to be tailored for each child. Asthma medications are divided into two types - quick-relief and long-term control. The first group is used to relieve the immediate symptoms of an asthma attack. The second group may help reduce the frequency and severity of asthma episodes over time. Like any medication, asthma treatments often have side effects. Be sure to ask your doctor about the side effects of the medications your child is prescribed and about the warning signs that signal a need to contact your doctor.
* Teach your children well. Many kids with asthma and allergies feel self-conscious, uncomfortable or different from other children. Assure your child that these conditions are nothing to be embarrassed about. Encourage your child to talk about his or her health with you. Help your child manage the condition by understanding the medications they need to take. Long-term control is the most effective way to help keep asthma from interrupting your child's life and learning.
* Have a buddy. Set up a "buddy system" so your child's friend can alert the teacher or other school personnel if an asthma attack is coming on. This system can be particularly helpful at the playground or class outings.
* Get and stay informed with the World Wide Web. Important asthma and allergy information as well as interactive health management tools are just a click away on the World Wide Web. SchoolAsthmaAllergy.com provides a special section just for parents, and www.freebreather.com features a Kid's Corner that helps explain asthma to children. Interactive allergy management tools are also available in the allergy learning lab section accessed through www.myhealth.com.
Whether in school or on vacation, children with asthma and allergies should see their doctor regularly, not only to monitor these conditions, but also maintain their overall health.
Asthma is a chronic condition of the airways in the lungs, meaning that even when asthmatics feel healthy, the condition causes the lungs to remain inflamed. Asthma becomes more acute during an attack, and the symptoms associated with asthma become heightened, more troublesome and sometimes life-threatening.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the self-reported prevalence of asthma in the United States increased 75% between 1980 and 1994, and the disease currently affects more than 17 million Americans. The U.S. National Institutes of Health reports that in 1995 nearly five million American children younger than 18 years had asthma, making it one of the most common pediatric disorders.
It is common for asthma to appear more frequently in families with a history of allergies. More than 50 million Americans are estimated to suffer from allergic diseases such as rhinitis and asthma.
FreeBreather.com is a new, interactive Web site that gives people with asthma personalized, interactive tools to help them manage the condition. Sponsored by Schering/KEY, the site features an array of information sections. It includes a goals planner, which helps people set their own asthma management goals; a kids corner, which explains asthma to children through a fun, interactive visual program; and local pollen reports. This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports.
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