Managing Asthma Symptoms in Children

An asthma attack can be scary, especially for children. If you have a child with asthma, you need to do everything you can to eliminate asthma triggers. Dr. Aldo Bejarano at AFB Pediatrics in Pasadena, TX, offers comprehensive pediatric medicine services, including diagnosis, treatment, and management of childhood asthma.

What You Need to Know about Childhood Asthma

Childhood asthma is a common medical condition. The CDC estimates 1 in 10 children suffer from asthma. Allergies are one of the most frequent causes of an asthma attack, so one of the best ways to manage asthma is to manage allergies.

Allergy testing from a pediatrician is a great first step to identifying what your child is allergic to. Avoiding the substance, known as an allergen, is an excellent way to curb asthma symptoms, however, avoidance isn’t always possible. Your pediatrician can manage your child’s allergies with:

• Allergy shots
• Sublingual immunotherapy

Your pediatrician will also perform tests to determine whether your child has asthma, and to what degree. Lung function tests including spirometry may be recommended. Your pediatrician can treat your child’s asthma with:

• Long-term control medications including inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, combination inhalers, and theophylline
• Quick-relief rescue medications including oral or IV corticosteroids, short-acting beta-agonists, and ipratropium

One of the most important ways you can manage your child’s asthma symptoms is to decrease the number of allergens in your home. You should:

• Vacuum frequently, or consider hard flooring
• Wash pillowcases and sheets regularly
• Use hypoallergenic sheets and pillowcases
• Keep pets off furniture and out of your child’s bedroom
• Install a HEPA filter in your child’s bedroom

Remember to keep your child away from smoke, perfumes, and other asthma triggers.

Want to Know More about Childhood Asthma?

To learn more about the management of your child’s asthma symptoms and how your pediatrician can help, call Dr. Aldo Bejarano at AFB Pediatrics in Pasadena, TX. You can reach him in the office by calling (832) 386-9200, so call today.