Grow Up Strong -- Control Childhood Asthma
Asthma is an inflammatory lung condition affecting children and adults. The chances of your child developing asthma depend on both environmental and genetics.
Like allergies, asthma tends to run in families, and allergy and asthma symptoms often go hand in hand. In fact, as many as 75-80% of asthmatic children suffer from allergies as well.
Asthma symptoms are most often triggered by airborne allergens, weather, respiratory infections, and exercise. Common allergens linked to asthma include:
- Household dust and molds
- Pets and feathers
- Outdoor molds and pollens
- Certain food products (least common)
- Other airborne irritants that are easier to avoid, such as cigarette smoke, aerosol sprays, and air pollution, are also common triggers. Certain weather patterns may provoke asthma symptoms, such as wind, which tends to circulate more pollen through the air, and rain (light bouts can increase mold concentrations).
The good news is that although asthma is a chronic condition, it often can be controlled with an appropriate daily treatment plan that reduces airway inflammation. With early medical management and reduced exposure to environmental triggers, many children are able to live without restrictions on their lifestyle. Many even go years without suffering from an asthmatic episode.
Helping your child understand how to control his or her asthma is vital.
RealAge Projection: Learning to be proactive about health issues will benefit kids indefinitely. If they keep it up in adulthood, at 50 they could look and feel closer to 38.
Because each child's asthma is different, work with your child and pediatrician to develop a daily asthma management plan. Make sure your child is aware of the things in his environment that trigger his asthma and how to avoid flare-ups whenever possible. If his doctor prescribes medications to control or alleviate asthma symptoms, such as anti-inflammatories or bronchodilators, make sure your child knows how to properly use them.
