Exercise can help your child cope with asthma
Children miss half a million school days a year because of it. New Zealand has the second highest rate in the world. One in four New Zealand children has it and it’s the most common cause of children’s hospital admission. It’s also tough on parents, but getting on top of it can make life better for all.
In asthma, the lung’s air passages swell, produce mucus and make breathing difficult. Anyone can get it. It usually begins before the age of five and the reasons for it aren’t clear – mothers who smoke, respiratory infections at a young age, antibiotic use, a home that’s ‘‘too sterile or clean’’ have all been blamed.
Many under-fives are not diagnosed and don’t have asthma well controlled. But, while there’s no actual cure, with a bit of education and good treatment the symptoms can be controlled and children can get on with their games and sport.
It sometimes goes away as they grow up, but even adults who have asthma – such as Olympic swimmers Liz Coster and Helen Norfolk, and singer Billy Joel – don’t let it stop them. In fact, once asthma is under control, swimming and other sport is often encouraged as it improves the airway function.An eight-year-old patient once said to me, ‘‘When my breathing hurts, I all hurt’’. He is now an international triathlete.
Parents are the key to getting their child diagnosed with asthma and the symptoms well controlled. If your child is wheezy, has a tight chest or is short of breath, or just coughs a lot (at night or after play), note down these problems (and how bad they are) daily for several weeks. Sometimes it’s a cold that hangs on for too long or a trigger such as the family pet or pollens that are important signs.
An asthma attack can be frightening for everyone involved. Being prepared and knowing what to do before it gets out of control will greatly reduce the stress. Every child should have a written asthma action plan from their GP. This is vital. If it is not offered, ask for one. It will tell you what medications are to be taken and when to get emergency help. A copy should always be handy for babysitters, teachers and sports coaches.
Ask your practice nurse to show you and your child the correct use of inhalers, spacers, nebulisers, tablet and liquid medications or peak flow meters. Using the wrong inhaler at the wrong time is a common mistake that results in more asthma symptoms. Find a local asthma support group: www.asthmafoundation.org.nz or www.asthma-nz.org.nz
| DIY: COPING WITH ASTHMA |
1 Ensure the school knows your child’s asthma action plan.
2 Carefully monitor the medication your child actually uses.
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3 Minimise any triggers your child has, such as cold air or the pet cat.
4 Ask about the Buteyko breathing method. |
(Published in the Sunday News, 5 July 2009)
More everybody MYHEALTH columns from Barbara Docherty
Barbara Docherty is a registered nurse and clinical lecturer at the University of Auckland School of Nursing, and writer for the everybody.co.nz website. The opinions contained herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of the publisher or sponsor. Copyright UBM Medica (NZ) Ltd.
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