May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. As a mom of two boys who both have asthma, I think it’s a great time to raise some awareness about this issue that affects so many children today. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 13 people have asthma. It is a narrowing of the airways that take air into the lungs. Symptoms include, tightening in the chest, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Some of the triggers for asthma include tobacco smoke, dust mites, pollen cockroach allergen, outdoor air pollution, pets, mold common colds and exercise. Asthma is manageable, and we can all live with it easier as long as there is an action plan in place. The state of Connecticut has action plans here in both Spanish and English that you can discuss with your doctor and school.
First, talk to your doctor about your child’s medical history. If he or she has a history of coughing fits, or trouble breathing after exercise or during allergy season, your doctor may want to take a closer look. Sometimes little kids get the common cold or RSV and that can lead to wheezing or trouble breathing. If this is a common occurrence for your child, he or she may receive a diagnosis of asthma later in life.
Second, if your son or daughter is diagnosed with asthma, know that you are in good company. There are many resources out there for you such as the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and the CDC. These websites have a lot of information and helpful tips that help you to live a little easier with asthma. There are local support groups in White plains and East Hartford through the American Lung Association, which you can find here and here.
Third, if and/or when your child has an asthma attack, don’t panic. Stay calm in order to try to calm the child. Give him or her the medicine prescribed and wait for it take effect. If symptoms don’t improve and/or they are getting worse, call 911 immediately for help.
Asthma can be a scary thing for parents to go through with their children, but it is treatable with the right tools. The more information we have, the better. You can help to spread awareness this month by learning more in the links posted here, and by sharing information with others.
Do your kids suffer from asthma? Do you have an action plan in place?
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