Family management and first aid knowledge of childhood asthma

Asthma in children is a common chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness, leading to recurrent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or coughing. For families of children with asthma, it is crucial to master the knowledge of home management and first aid for asthma. We will introduce home management methods for children with asthma and first aid measures for acute asthma attacks to help parents better control their children's condition and improve their quality of life.

2. Family management of childhood asthma

1. Environmental Control

Children with asthma are more sensitive to environmental factors, so controlling the home environment is an important measure to prevent asthma attacks. First, keep the room clean and clean regularly to reduce the breeding of allergens such as dust mites and mold. Second, avoid using strong irritating detergents and perfumes to avoid inducing asthma. In addition, parents should also pay attention to indoor ventilation to keep the air fresh.

2. Diet adjustment

A reasonable diet can help strengthen the child's physique and relieve asthma symptoms. Parents should encourage their children to eat more foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fresh vegetables and fruits. At the same time, they should avoid eating allergenic foods, such as seafood and peanuts. For children who are allergic to certain specific foods, parents should adjust their diet under the guidance of a doctor.

3. Take medication regularly

Children with asthma need to use controller drugs regularly and long-term to reduce the number of asthma attacks and alleviate the symptoms during attacks. Parents should follow the doctor's advice and give their children medication on time. Do not stop taking medication or change the dosage at will. At the same time, parents should also learn to observe changes in their children's symptoms and adjust the medication plan in a timely manner.

4. Psychological care

Children with asthma often experience anxiety, fear and other negative emotions due to repeated attacks of the disease. Parents should give their children full care and support to help them build confidence in overcoming the disease. At the same time, parents can also guide their children to participate in some beneficial activities, such as sports, painting, etc., to relieve stress and improve the quality of life.

3. First aid measures for acute asthma attacks in children

1. Stay calm

When a child has an acute asthma attack, parents should first stay calm and not panic, because the nervousness of the parents may aggravate the child's condition. At this time, parents should quickly take emergency measures, call the emergency number or go to the hospital for treatment.

2. Get away from allergens immediately

When a child's asthma attack is caused by exposure to allergens, parents must act quickly to ensure that the child is immediately removed from the environment containing the allergen. The allergen may be the hair of pets at home, dust, pollen, certain foods, or specific chemicals. For children with known allergens, parents should always be vigilant to avoid their children's contact with these substances that may trigger asthma.

3. Use emergency medicine

Children with asthma are usually advised by doctors to carry emergency medications, such as short-acting β2 receptor agonists. In the event of an acute asthma attack, parents should immediately give their children these medications to relieve airway spasms and alleviate symptoms. When using them, parents should follow the doctor's instructions to operate correctly to ensure that the medication can work effectively.

4. Keep the airway open

When asthma attacks, children may experience symptoms such as dyspnea and coughing. Parents should ensure that the child is in a semi-recumbent or sitting position to keep the airway open. At the same time, parents can help the child pat his back and cough up phlegm to promote phlegm discharge and relieve dyspnea.

5. Observe changes in the condition

While taking emergency measures, parents should closely monitor the changes in the child's symptoms. If the condition cannot be effectively controlled, or if there are severe breathing difficulties, confusion and other symptoms, the child should be immediately sent to the hospital for further treatment.

4. Tips for preventing asthma attacks

1. Regular follow-up

Children with asthma should go to the hospital for follow-up regularly so that doctors can understand the changes in the child's condition in a timely manner and adjust the treatment plan. Parents should take their children for follow-up visits as directed by the doctor and should not stop taking medication or reduce the number of follow-up visits on their own because the condition has improved.

2. Exercise more

Appropriate physical exercise can help strengthen the child's physique and improve resistance. Parents can guide the child to participate in some sports suitable for them, such as swimming, jogging, etc. However, it is important to avoid outdoor sports when the air pollution is severe or the weather is cold, so as not to induce asthma.

3. Learn to recognize the signs of an asthma attack

Parents should learn to recognize the signs of an asthma attack, such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, etc. Once these symptoms appear, timely countermeasures should be taken to prevent the condition from worsening.

V. Conclusion

Family management and first aid knowledge of childhood asthma are of great significance for controlling the disease and improving the quality of life of children. Parents should actively learn relevant knowledge, master family management methods and first aid measures for asthma, and create a safe and comfortable living environment for children. At the same time, parents should also keep in close contact with doctors, pay attention to changes in the condition of children, and develop personalized treatment plans. Through the joint efforts of families and hospitals, I believe that children can overcome asthma and grow up healthily.

Author: Jiang Hongxia Qian'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital