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It can be a challenge for a child to live with asthma.

Find out how parents can help their asthmatic children lead healthy, active and normal lives despite the condition. Asthma occurs when a child suffers symptoms such as recurrent attacks of shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness of the chest and coughing. These symptoms are caused by the narrowing of the air passages, resulting in reduction of air flow in and out of the lungs.

What causes this chronic disease?

The causes of asthma are still unknown. Children are more likely to develop asthma if a family member has it, as it is hereditary among families. Environmental factors and allergies could also play a part. The most commonly identified asthma triggers that could leave your child out of breath include both indoor and outdoor allergens. So avoid these nasty irritants – tobacco smoke; house dust, bed mites and a pet’s fur, urine or saliva; fumes, gases or dust; pollen and moulds; weather change, especially cold weather; cleaning liquids; and certain foods that can cause allergic reactions.

Taking control of this chronic disease

Although asthma does not go away, the good news is that it can be easy to manage and control. Daily management of your child’s asthma, from his dietary needs to breathing exercises, can help both you and him lead a healthy, happy and active life. As a first step, it is always important for you and your child to seek help from medical professionals or specialists even if your child develops the asthma symptoms for a short period of time. Then, together with your child’s paediatrician, create a good asthma management plan to include all relevant and vital information in the event of an asthma emergency. List in this plan all of your child’s asthma triggers, and how to avoid them. Also include the name and dosage of his daily asthma medication and all emergency phone numbers and locations of emergency services.

Use asthma medications correctly. Advise your child to take his medications on schedule and use the inhalers correctly. Ask your child’s doctor to demonstrate how these inhalers should be used. Control indoor allergens. Create an asthma-friendly home by eliminating allergens such as dust, tobacco smoke, pollen and moulds. It is also important that you and your child are knowledgeable about this chronic disease and how to live with and manage the condition in order to prevent an asthma attack. Understanding and adapting to lifestyle and environmental changes can be frustrating, but it is essential in order to prevent asthma aggravation. This includes practising a healthy diet, good stress management, breathing exercises, and avoiding cigarette smoke or other air pollutants.

Does food make a difference?

While eating a healthy diet may reduce your child’s asthma symptoms, there is no special asthma diet to cure this breathing disorder. Children with asthma have an increased risk of having a food allergy. Allergic reactions to certain foods may cause asthma symptoms. Some of the common food allergies that can trigger asthma are peanuts, eggs, soy, wheat, cow’s milk, and shellfish. However these reactions are very individual-based and are not generalised for all asthmatics.

Drinks containing caffeine such as coffee, tea and soda are among the few beverages that can dilate your child’s air passage and make it easier for him to breathe. The chemical similarities between caffeine and theophylline (used in certain asthma medications) can help asthmatics curb breathing difficulties.

However, coffee and caffeine-containing products are not encouraged to be taken by children due to other unwanted side effects.

A good diet plan is essential for asthma management as certain foods could exacerbate symptoms. Studies have also suggested that because society eats less fruits and vegetables and more processed foods, the risk of asthma has increased.

Children lacking in vitamin C, vitamin D and E, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids or malnourished children are more likely to have poor lung function. However, this does not mean that a deficiency of these nutrients can actually cause your child to have asthma. The one thing for sure is that good nutrition is good for everyone, especially those with chronic disorders.

Is it safe for him to exercise?

Exercise and other sports and activities are all part and parcel of maintaining a normal and healthy lifestyle. Having asthma does not mean that your child can never do any physical activity without aggravating his asthma symptoms.

In fact, regular exercise should be a part of any asthma management plan. Having stated this however, the physical exertion from exercising or playing sports can trigger exercise-induced asthma.

In any event, talk to your child’s doctor to find out how much exercise he should be getting.

The types of exercise that can be done by asthmatic children include sporting activities such as swimming, gymnastics, baseball, and volleyball. Activities such as running, basketball, and hockey are less well-tolerated as these involve long periods of exertion. Remind your child that asthma should never deter him from exercising.

Breathing exercises may help

Practising a healthy and active lifestyle with asthma involves practising breathing exercises. There is a certain saying that goes, “no one who has asthma breathes correctly, but no one who breathes correctly has asthma. Breathing exercises will also limit the use of rescue inhalers.

A suggested method for your child to breathe right is by breathing in deeply and exhaling, releasing muscle tension and clearing his head of negative thoughts. Other breathing techniques can include drawing shallow nasal breaths, and exercises involving posture, relaxation, and upper-body movements, such as raising the arms and shoulder rolls.

When your child is feeling stressed, instruct him to repeat to himself the words ‘Relax, and Let Go’ as this could trigger physical relaxation and positive thoughts. The power of the mind can be a powerful ally.

Managing stress

Stress is the most common asthma trigger in both children and adults. Asthma causes stress when your child feels out of breath, and this makes it harder to control his asthma symptoms. Asthmatic children often become wheezy at birthday parties due to the excitement and exertion from running around and playing games with other children. Parents should teach their asthmatic child to plan his daily schedule to allow enough time to accomplish what needs to be done without feeling pressured. This could prevent shortness of breath and avoid panic in your child. A few simple ways to manage your child’s stress is by advising your child to change the thought processes that could trigger stress. Your asthmatic child should be able to identify his stressors and diligently avoid them. Get your child to practise effective time-management, for example, taking turns to do the chores round the house or taking time out from studies to play or mingle around.

Stay away from cigarette smoke

You have probably heard this time and time again, smoking is bad for health, especially for children. Parents who smoke in front of their asthmatic child are exposing him to long-term breathing problems or worsening his existing breathing problems. The passive smoke from cigarettes that these children inhale can adversely affect their lung function, causing breathing difficulties. In some cases, this could lead to fatalities. As parents, we want the best for our children, therefore, avoid exposing your child to cigarette smoke or other dangerous air pollutants in order to protect his little lungs. Asthma cannot be cured, but by taking charge of his lifestyle, diet and well-being, he can control his symptoms.

The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice.