Feeling helpless, seeing your child unable to catch their breath, and taking that trip to the ER.
There's nothing more scary.
You don't want to go through that ever again if you can avoid it, and you can.
Keeping your child out of the ER means focusing on three important things: having a plan, avoiding things that can bring on an attack, and making sure your child is taking the right asthma medicine at the right time.
First is the plan.
Now is the time to visit your child's regular doctor and create an asthma action plan.
It's so important.
It shows you exactly what to do when your child starts to have symptoms, so they don't get worse.
Next, know your child's asthma triggers.
Things like colds, smoke, pollen, mold, pets, or cold air.
When you know the triggers, you can plan ways to avoid them, and prevent attacks.
The third thing is medicine.
There are two kinds: controller and quick-relief.
Taking controller medicine every day helps keep your child healthy.
It can be hard to see the need for medicine when your child is feeling fine.
But controller medicines help your child's lungs work better, all day, every day.
When your child does have an asthma attack, reach for the quick-relief inhaler.
Don't use the controller inhaler. It doesn't work fast enough.
Get your child into the habit of carrying their quick-relief inhaler everywhere, so they can get to it quickly.
By focusing on these three things ...
the plan, the triggers, and taking the right medicines ...
you'll be able to protect your child the way you want to, and steer clear of the ER.
