Latest News

Asthma Awareness Week (30th April- 6th May) with Clover House

Author : Sarah Kean-Price

[Return to 'Latest News' listing]

Date : 04/05/2012 16:34:36

Today's blog posting falls during Asthma Awareness Week so we are sharing a longer blog post with some of our experiences and tips with you to help you and your child deal with their asthma!

 

Managing asthma well needs you to plan for it. Understanding your child's triggers and warning signs will help prevent asthma attacks whilst revamping your diet and stress levels will help decrease the likelihood of asthma related problems.

 

Asthma management plan:

 

Your health professional should have encouraged you to make an asthma management plan. These lay out the triggers and warning signs for your child and state any medication they take.

 

Having an asthma management plan is really great – you can give one to your child's school, their friends' families and any other groups they attend so everyone knows what to avoid and what to do if an attack does occur.

 

Before we go any further, it is important that you go to the hospital immediately if:

 

• Your child is finding breathing to be really, really difficult.

• Their lips or fingernails are turning blue.

• They are really drowsy or confused during the attack.

• Their pulse is rapid.

• They are extremely anxious.

• They are sweating.

 

If your child has any of these symptoms, do not attempt to medicate with oils, massage or anything else – just go to the hospital.

 

Triggers and warning signs:

 

Asthma can be set off by many things but the main triggers are:

 

Pollen.

Changes in weather.

Mould.

Animals.

Wood smoke, tobacco smoke or pollution.

Infections e.g. common cold.

Dust.

Feeling strong emotions.

Allergies to any of the above.

 

Obvoiusly, some (like pollen and weather changes) you can't control but you can plan around them. Others can be reduced or removed from your home and car very easily.

 

You can also work out a list of warning signs so that you can be ready for a possible attack. Keep a diary on how your child looks and how they are feeling so you know what comes before an attack.

 

Diet:

 

As with virtually all problems, Clover House recommends that you transition to a healthier diet - one with more whole foods (like whole-grain bread, brown pasta), fruit, vegetables, water and less additives, refined ingredients (like white flour and rice) and dairy products.

 

More onions and garlic should help with decreasing their mucus levels and aiming to include more Vitamin C, B and E will help with getting more anti-oxidants.

 

Stress relief:

 

A recurrent theme in our archived case studies shows that a decrease in worries seems to coincide with a decrease in the need for inhalers.

 

A London-based study found children's asthma was likely to worsen within the 48 hours following a stressful major life event. Another 2005 American study found that children with parents who suffered from major depression were 67% more likely to develop asthma or an allergy-related disorder.

 

Neither of these studies are saying that you or your child's anxiety or depression will cause your child's respiratory problems. But it does seem to suggest that removing one can decrease the likeliness of having the other.

 

Indeed, within our many case studies, one child saw their inhaler dependancy decrease following treatment sessions where herapy for anxiety was a notable part of it.

 

In another, decreasing the mother's upset surrounding her divorce did coincide with her child also becoming less dependant on inhalers.

 

Get it off your chest!

 

Asthma affect 1 in 5 households – could you or someone you know benefit from Clover House's help?

 

We can work with your family and your asthma management plan to develop and refine your understanding of your little one's asthma issues.

 

Alternatively, maybe a friend or relative has a child with asthma and could do with a bit of extra support.

 

Share this blog with them through our Facebook group, email us, ring us on (01225) 344047 or drop in.

 

For more information, talk to your doctor and check the NHS's information page on Asthma in children. Asthma UK is also a great, reputable source.

 

 

[Return to 'Latest News' listing]