Keeping kids safe from asthma

How to keep your kids safe from asthma in the winter.

The winter brings the most beautiful time of the year in yuma. Just the right weather with the gentle cool breeze on most days in winter makes for a perfect time for outdoor activities. everyone loves being out there doing what they love, children, and adults alike. But winter can also be harsh sometimes because of changed air quality creating health concerns for some.

Many people, especially young children with asthma, could be sensitive to different triggers because of changing weather and are more prone to being affected by getting a cold, the flu, or asthma attacks, to name a few.

Parents of children who have asthma must have knowledge of preventive strategies and recognition of early symptoms of asthma to keep children from falling sick. asthma can be difficult for the children to handle and especially if your child is also sensitive to dust particles. and pollen grains, which can act as triggers, put them at risk of recurrent asthma attacks. keeping a few things in mind and being prepared for weather changes can save many sick days and help to enjoy most of the days of this beautiful weather.

common questions i get from my patients, friends, and neighbors revolve around what they as parents can do to prevent asthma flareup in their children. My answer is simple: know the weather forecast! knowing if the day is unusually cold or will include sandstorm, dusty and poor air quality conditions before taking the child outdoor will help you choose the right precautions.

during this time of year in yuma, even with calm but cool weather, air quality may not be optimal due to pollution such as dust particles suspended in the air which can trigger asthmatic children. chose any outdoor activity and exercise time for your child based on the weather of that day. The websites for yuma county and the environmental Protection agency are good sources for information about air quality.

it’s always a good idea to keep their mouth and nose covered if it’s unusually cold or the air quality index is not optimal.

Physical exercise has many benefits, in general, but asthmatic children can also experience a flare-up for an unknown reason. fast breathing from the mouth during exercise may irritate airways or dust, pollen particles in the air also can trigger asthma by a similar mechanism.

time of day also affects air pollution because of ozone and particle pollution. Both types of pollution usually become worse later in the day, so exercise in the afternoon may become harder on the lungs. your child having asthma by no means should hold them from being active outdoors and doing exercise. you will just want to make sure that it’s not an unhealthy day for them to be outdoors. Parents should simply ensure that children take it slow and get enough rest and plenty of fluids. Using a rescue inhaler as premedication before exercise also prevents exerciseinduced asthma; however, it should be done with a physician’s advice.

here are a few more important tips:

• Wash their hands to avoid infection. Make sure your children get the flu vaccine, along with other age-appropriate vaccinations.

• Keep the indoor area dry and clean, free of mold. Regular pest control and heating unit air filter change should be done.

• Protect your children from secondhand smoke.

• Know the triggers that cause asthma flare-ups and keep children away from those triggers.

• Keep your children’s asthma action plan copy at your home and others in his daycare or school. Make sure asthma medicines are always available and current.

knowing when to seek medical help and whether the child needs a doctor visit or a trip to the emergency department is crucial to keep them safe. if your child is not responding to their rescue inhaler and other medicine and they continue to have wheezing, nasal flaring and are using abdominal muscles to breathe, you must take them to the emergency department or call 911 immediately. Do not lose time, as they may have a more severe condition called “status asthmaticus,” which can be lifethreatening.

even though asthma does not have a cure at this time, it can be managed successfully with minimal interruption to daily activity with proper precautions, education, avoiding exposure to triggers, regular follow-up with your physician and vaccinations. it is also important to stress compliance with medication and have an asthma action plan. There are many available treatments for asthma and your physician can discuss and decide optimal treatment for your child.

dr. ashish sharma works as a hospitalist for yuma Regional Medical center.