I love being a pediatric pulmonologist; the lungs and the respiratory system are incredible! Did you know that if you spread the entire adult lung out on a flat surface, it would take up half of a tennis court?!<\/p>\n
As fascinating as the lungs are, they can cause trouble too \u2013 especially for people who have asthma. I should know, because I\u2019m one of them! Fortunately, following my asthma treatment plan allows me to stay healthy and manage my asthma at home most of the time. And if your child has asthma, with the right guidance, you can learn to do the same.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not a particularly good handyman, but I do know that using a screwdriver or drill is a better way to place a screw than beating it with a hammer. When treating asthma you also want to be sure to use the right tool!<\/p>\n
An asthma action plan<\/a> can be an important guide to help control your child\u2019s asthma symptoms at home and know which medicine to use and when. If your child doesn\u2019t have a personalized asthma action plan, I recommend you discuss this with their doctor – it might be useful.<\/p>\n Albuterol is a fast-acting reliever medication for asthma symptoms like chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. It\u2019s a bronchodilator, which means it works by relaxing the tightened muscles that wrap around the breathing tubes during an asthma attack. Albuterol typically works in 5 to 15 minutes, and the effect wears off in about 4 to 6 hours. Think of it as a temporary band-aid for relieving asthma symptoms.<\/p>\n Albuterol is usually given via a metered dose inhaler (MDI). Brand names of albuterol MDIs are Ventolin, Proair, and Proventil. It is important to use a spacer chamber whenever you are giving your child asthma medicines with an MDI. Without one, you\u2019ll end up spraying medicine all over their lips, tongue, and throat rather than into their lungs. The spacer chamber gets the medicine straight to the lungs so it can start working.<\/p>\n Albuterol may also be through a nebulizer to create a medication mist that is inhaled. If giving nebulized medications, it is important to place the nebulizer mask on your child\u2019s face or mouthpiece in their mouth while giving the medication. Blowing the mist in front of the face without using a mask or mouthpiece is NOT an effective way to get the medication into their lungs. In most cases children do not need a nebulizer and can use just their metered dose inhaler.<\/p>\n For some children, we also recommend another medication – nebulized ipratropium (Atrovent), a different fast-acting reliever, to use along with their albuterol during bad asthma attacks as part of their individual asthma action plan.<\/p>\n Depending on your child\u2019s asthma severity, their doctor may decide that asthma controller medications are needed. The most-used asthma controller medications are inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). These medications coat the lining of the breathing tubes to reduce inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms. ICS medications don\u2019t work quickly, so they generally shouldn\u2019t be given for quick relief of asthma symptoms.<\/p>\n Sometimes, a different non-steroid asthma control medication called leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) is used alone or in addition to ICS.<\/p>\n Some ICS medications also contain a long-acting bronchodilator medication (different than albuterol.) These combination medications have the effects of both controller and reliever medications. Advair, Wixela, Dulera and Symbicort are combination medications.<\/p>\n Helping your child have less asthma symptoms can start by identifying what triggers their symptoms. Are they exposed to second-hand smoke, do they have allergies<\/a> or does their asthma flare with each viral cold they get<\/a>? Ask their doctor for advice for trigger avoidance and to ask if a controller medication is needed. Also, it is very important to protect any child with asthma by giving them the flu vaccine<\/a>. Influenza can be very severe<\/a> for kids who have asthma.<\/p>\n Consistently using your child\u2019s asthma controller medication as instructed by their doctor is the best way to control their asthma. If their asthma symptoms persist, it\u2019s important to discuss this with their pediatrician to decide if the medications should be adjusted or changed.<\/p>\n American Academy of Pediatrics<\/p>\n How to Use a Spacer without a Mask<\/a><\/p>\n What is Asthma<\/a><\/p>\n Nationwide Children\u2019s Hospital<\/p>\n How to Use a Nebulizer<\/a><\/p>\n Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/p>\n Asthma Action Plans<\/a><\/p>\n Asthma and Allergy Network<\/p>\nAsthma Relievers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Asthma Controllers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Combination Asthma Therapies<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Keeping Your Child\u2019s Asthma Controlled<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Resources for Parents:<\/h4>\n