Supporting Your Child’s Emotional Well-Being With Asthma

Asthma and its symptoms can make it difficult for kids to fully enjoy some of their favorite activities, like running around and playing outdoors. Shortness of breath and other symptoms are not the only way asthma affects kids, though. Asthma can also impact emotional well-being. The board-certified providers at A to Z Pediatrics in New Port Richey, FL, treat asthma in children and can guide in supporting your child’s emotional well-being while dealing with asthma.

Symptoms of Asthma

Individuals with asthma can experience many different symptoms, such as wheezing or shortness of breath. Although asthma is a chronic condition, symptoms are not always present. Asthma symptoms tend to flare up when the airways become narrow, swollen, inflamed, or filled with excess mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe. Asthma symptoms include:

• Wheezing
• Gasping for air
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Pain or tightening in the chest
• Coughing (especially at night)
• Excessive fatigue after playing
• Rapid breathing

Many different factors can adversely affect the airways and contribute to a flare-up of asthma symptoms. Factors that are known to trigger symptoms include physical activity, playing sports, allergens, stress, certain foods or fragrances, and smoke. Avoiding these things can help prevent an asthma attack or reduce symptoms.

Asthma Treatments

Asthma cannot be cured, but there are many effective treatment methods for managing and preventing symptoms. The skilled providers at our pediatric office in New Port Richey, FL, treat asthma in several ways and will develop a custom treatment plan tailored to the needs of your child.

Asthma treatment could include a controller inhaler to prevent symptoms, a portable rescue inhaler for treating symptoms at the moment, a nebulizer, and anti-inflammatory or steroid medications. Allergy treatment might also be beneficial for kids whose asthma symptoms are triggered by allergies.

Asthma and Emotional Well-Being

Dealing with asthma can be overwhelming at times and can affect children’s emotional health. One way to support your child’s emotional well-being is to teach them stress reduction techniques. When kids feel stressed, asthma symptoms can be exacerbated. Reducing stress can help keep symptoms from flaring up as much, as well as help your child stay calm during a flare-up.

Another way to help support your child is to work with the pediatrician to develop an asthma action plan so your child knows how to handle a flare-up of symptoms when you’re not around, such as during school. Having an action plan can help kids stay calm so they can treat their symptoms right away and experience relief sooner. Other actions you can take include teaching your child to have a positive outlook and reassuring them they are no different than other kids without asthma.

If your child has asthma, we can help with symptom management and emotional well-being. For the treatment of childhood asthma, call A to Z Pediatrics in New Port Richey, FL, at (727) 375-5242.