when feeling well.
Yellow Zone = Caution Zone. This zone tells you how to look for signs that your child's asthma is getting worse. It also tells you which drugs to use to get your child's asthma back in control.Red Zone = Danger Zone. This zone tells you what to do when your child is having a bad flare-up or asthma attack.
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What can make this more likely to happen?
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Pet dander
- Mold
- Smoke
- Respiratory infections or common cold
- Cold air
- Exercise
What are the main signs?
Signs that your child is having an asthma flare-up are: ‚
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Chest tightness
- Trouble breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble breathing with activities like gym, sports, playing
- Trouble sleeping due to breathing problems
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
On your childs action plan, the doctor will list your child's asthma drugs and when to take them. Your child's plan should also tell you when to make drug changes based on your child's signs. There are most often two types of drugs used to control asthma in children. These are ‚
- Long-term control drugs
- Quick relief or rescue drugs
Long-term control drugs are also called maintenance or anti-inflammatory drugs. They help stop asthma signs by controlling the swelling in your child's lungs. They also help to lessen the amount of mucus in the lungs. They must be taken on a regular basis (even when your child feels well) in order to work. ‚
Quick relief drugs are also called rescue drugs. They work quickly to help stop your child's asthma signs once they have started. These drugs relax the muscles around your child's airway. This make breathing easier. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Follow your childs asthma action plan. Your child's plan will tell you what drugs to give, how much to give, and when to give.
- Sometimes, an asthma flare-up cannot be treated at home. Use your child's action plan to know when call the doctor, go to the hospital, or call an ambulance. This information will be found in the Red Zone on your child's asthma action plan.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. The doctor will go over the asthma action plan with you and your child to see if any changes need to be made. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
You can help prevent your child from an asthma flare-up by knowing the signs and doing these things: ‚
- Keep your child away from known asthma triggers and risk factors.
- Keep track of your childs asthma signs and when they happen. Good asthma control will help prevent flare-ups.
- Make yourself and caregivers familiar with your child's asthma action plan.
- Give your child's drugs as directed on the asthma action plan.
- Make sure you know what drugs you have, where they are, and how to use them.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- The action plan tells you to do so (Red Zone)
- You do not have the drugs listed on the plan
- You have questions about the asthma action plan
Helpful tips
Take time to review your childs asthma action plan with the doctor. Be sure that you understand all of the information in the plan. You may want to ask the doctor: ‚
- How will this drug help my child?
- How quickly will this drug help my child?
- Can you show me how to give this drug?
- Are there any side effects from the drug? What can I do about them?
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org ‚
American Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/asthma/taking-control-of-asthma/create-an-asthma-management-plan.html ‚
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/asthma-asthme/treatment-traitement/index_e.php#plan ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/asthma/action_plan.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚