by Dr. Chiarina Galvez
School is out, warmer weather is here and kids want to be outside. Biking, swimming and playing sports will dominate their world for the next few months. Asthma can be a serious health challenge for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens. Pediatric Pulmonologist Dr. Chiarina Galvez covers precautions and preparations to help asthmatic kids enjoy the summer.
Shouldn’t asthmatic children avoid outdoor physical activity? Limiting exposure to triggers can be helpful, but remember it is not realistic to expect a child to stay indoors. Parents can take meaningful steps to help keep their child’s asthma in check and still enjoy the season.
Allergies: If a child’s asthma is triggered by spring allergies, a provider may recommend taking an allergy medication about two weeks before the season begins and continuing it throughout the allergy season for maximum benefit. If possible, plan outdoor activities after 10 AM when pollen counts are lower.
Bathing and changing clothes before going to bed helps to avoid inhaling outdoor allergens as you sleep. Also, keep the windows closed and use air conditioning in the home and car when pollen counts are high.
Exercise: For children who experience exercise-induced symptoms, be sure they use their rescue inhaler 20-30 minutes prior to physical activity – even if it’s just romping around the neighborhood with friends. Also, it is very important that they have access to their quick-relief medicine at all times.
What should parents watch for? Although wheezing is a common symptom, cough is often an overlooked sign of asthma. Watch out for cough from physical activity or after coming in from the outdoors. Decreased ability to play or to “keep up” with friends can be a sign of uncontrolled asthma, and so is waking up suddenly from sleep due to shortness of breath, cough, or wheezing. Monitor inhaler use – needing a refill of quick relief inhaler more than two times a year could indicate that a child’s asthma is poorly controlled.
Are spring and summer the worst seasons for asthma? Not necessarily. Different children have different triggers which can change with the seasons. The two most common asthma triggers for children are colds and allergens. Asthmatic children need to see their specialist before the start of every school year because the new setting exposes them to asthma’s most common triggers – new viruses and allergens. The most important part of managing asthma is for parents and their children to be very knowledgeable about how and when asthma causes problems and how to use medications.
Dr. Chiarina Galvez is a pediatric pulmonologist at TMCOne. She provides diagnosis and treatment for infants, children and adolescents with acute and chronic respiratory disorders. Call (520) 324-7200 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
