Asthma is a rather difficult disease to cope with, especially if it concerns a small child. However, as it is a condition that cannot be cured, it must be coped with and kept under control if you want to have a semblance of a normal life. So how do so many people who suffer cope with it? There are many fronts on which this condition will have to be dealt with.
The first thing to do as soon as you or someone in the family has been diagnosed with asthma is to make sure that you follow your doctor’s advice implicitly. This would mean keeping the medication that he has prescribed always within easy reach so it can be administered at the very first signs of an attack coming on. Keeping the attack under control means not having to deal with the agony of a full blown asthma attack, which in many cases people say feels like dying as they lie gasping for breath. This is even more traumatic in a small child who may not be able to communicate just how awful he is feeling. The medication, very often given with an inhaler to get it to the point of the problem quicker, relaxes the airways and helps the person breathe better. If your child is school going, make sure his medication is available with someone reliable in school so he can be administered a dose as soon as he feels the attack coming on. These quick relief medicines usually contain beta 2 agonists which give you fast relief.
Just remember that the more often the asthma does not get to becoming a full blown attack, the greater the chances that the attacks will be fewer. Each full blown attack means the airways get more inflamed and that’s bad because the thickening of the airways is not reversible. This is why preventive measures are so important. Yes, there are some side effects and people will tell you that corticosteroids could cause stunted growth in children. However, the disadvantages are far less than the benefits and if you use it wisely and as soon as possible, you won’t need your medication that often.
Maintain a daily diary so you see some pattern emerging as to what the possible triggers could be. This helps you cope better with the asthma and gives you some degree of comfort that maybe if you were to avoid certain foods, environments or triggers, you could avoid an attack. Your doctor might advise you to use a peak flow meter and keep a record too. You must also make sure that you maintain regular contact with your doctor and see him on a regular basis so he can check you to see that everything is all right. There are times when the strength of the medication, the frequency of the doses or the medication itself will have to be changed.
Find asthma support groups so you know that it’s not the end of the world – even though it might seem like that at times – and you know you are not alone. This is especially important for mothers of small children who suffer from asthma because it gives them some kind of comfort to share with others and to learn from them. Even an online group is a good idea because you can exchange experiences and get the benefit of the advice of people who have been through it. You can, very often, also find a doctor who is good in this area in case you are looking for a change of doctor.
Also make sure that you have recourse to emergency services so that in case of a bad attack, you can be sure of hospitalization as soon as possible. Call 911 even before you talk to your doctor so that the patient can be taken to hospital quickly.
Women who are asthmatic and get pregnant should stay in touch with their doctor as well as their gynecologist so that their condition is kept under control without any harm done to the fetus. An asthma attack means low levels of oxygen which could be detrimental to the baby and one must make sure that this does not happen. In fact, you need to talk to your doctor before you get pregnant so you know just what to do to keep your baby safe.
For some people who are affected by environmental triggers, something as simple as wearing a mask or a scarf can keep an attack at bay so take this precaution and you can go about your daily life. Suffering from asthma does not mean you have to keep away from all physical activity and the great outdoors – all it means is that you take the right precautions.
If your child has asthma, involve him in devising a regimen so that he can keep as asthma-free as possible. Don’t make it out like he is ill or can’t do things – make it a positive plan where he can do whatever he wants if he takes a bit of precaution. Children love being a part of their own wellbeing rather than be lectured to and given a whole set of ‘don’ts’ to follow.