About 5 million kids in the United States have asthma, which can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, and problems focusing at school.
See Srinagesh Paluvoi, MD, FAAP, FACAAI, and our team at Allergy & Asthma Affiliates, with offices in Lansdowne and Gainesville, Virginia, for a personalized asthma treatment plan. And in the meantime, learn more below about asthma in kids, and help your child breathe easier with our back-to-school tips.
The following symptoms may indicate asthma:
Asthma symptoms vary from person to person, from mild to severe (sometimes life-threatening).
Consider the following back-to-school tips to help kids with asthma breathe easy:
Smoking and vaping can exacerbate asthma symptoms, so encourage your child to avoid participating in these activities. Keep them away from secondhand (and thirdhand) smoking and vaping, too.
Help your child manage any allergies to minimize asthma symptoms this fall and throughout the school year. They might be a candidate for medications, sprays, rinses, allergy shots, other forms of immunotherapy, or lifestyle changes. Take any medicines exactly as instructed by Dr. Paluvoi.
See Dr. Paluvoi to maintain an effective asthma treatment, which typically requires keeping an inhaler on hand in case of an asthma attack. He personalizes asthma treatment plans based on your child’s specific needs.
Getting your child vaccinated for pneumonia and the flu can help prevent these common asthma flare-up triggers, especially as flu season approaches this fall and winter.
Physical and emotional stress can exacerbate asthma symptoms, so practice stress-reduction strategies (going for walks outdoors, meditation, yoga, etc.) with your child to ease stressful situations — school-related or otherwise.
Avoid air fresheners, strong perfumes, scented candles, harsh household cleaners, and other strong smells to keep the indoor air in your home clean and minimize asthma symptoms.
Dust and animal dander are common allergy and asthma triggers, so vacuum your home and change the air filters regularly to avoid breathing difficulties caused by dirty indoor air. Wash sheets, bedding, and towels regularly.
If other treatments haven’t been effective to ease your child’s asthma symptoms, ask Dr. Paluvoi about bronchial thermoplasty, a procedure that uses heat to thin airway muscles and enhance your child’s ability to breathe deeply.
As the colder winter months approach, encourage your child to cover their nose and mouth when outdoors to minimize asthma symptoms caused by cold and dry air.
Healthy weight management is another key component of effective asthma management. Encourage your child to stay active, eat nutritious foods, drink plenty of water, and limit or avoid sugar-sweetened foods and drinks to maintain a healthy weight and keep asthma symptoms at bay.
Dr. Paluvoi personalizes an asthma management plan based on your child’s symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and specific needs. See him routinely to help your child eliminate bothersome asthma symptoms in school and at home. Contact Dr. Paluvoi any time with concerns or questions to maximize your child’s breathing, overall health, and quality of life.
Contact us today at Allergy & Asthma Affiliates for asthma relief by calling our office or requesting an appointment online.
