Tips For Easing Your Child's Asthma Symptoms
Asthma is a respiratory condition that causes inflammation in the airways. It can affect people of all ages, including young children. If your child has been diagnosed with asthma and has been struggling with coughing, wheezing and breathing trouble, you may be looking for ways that you can help ease the symptoms. Luckily, there are many things you can do to help your child control asthma symptoms even though the condition can't be cured. Here are a few options to help ease symptoms of asthma for your child.
Exercise and Weight Management
It's easy to convince yourself that your child with asthma should be taking it easy and not be very active. The truth is, he or she needs regular physical activity. Regular exercise can help to ease the symptoms of asthma and can even improve heart health. The frequent exercise will help your child maintain a healthy weight, too. This is important, because overweight kids may have greater respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
Structured Breathing Techniques
Sometimes, structured and rhythmic breathing can help to ease asthma symptoms. Relaxation exercises paired with a series of calm, deep breaths in through the nose and out the mouth will help keep the airways open. In addition, yoga breathing, lung muscle exercises and mediation can prove helpful. The more relaxed your child is, the less stress and tension there is to increase asthma issues. In some cases, hypnosis is even found helpful to ease muscle tension that can lead to asthma attacks.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture may help to ease the frequency of asthma attacks and the breathing difficulties for some children. It can be a difficult treatment option for young children, because they have to stay very still during the treatment. Older children, on the other hand, may be able to remain still and calm enough to get the benefits of this alternative treatment option.
Environmental Trigger Reduction
One of the best ways to reduce asthma symptoms is to eliminate the triggers in your house. Some of the things that lead to asthma attacks include dust, allergens and mold. Put dust-proof covers on all of the mattresses, pillows and box springs in the house. Then, replace your carpets with hardwood or tile. Add an air purifier and you'll have the benefits of eliminating most of the allergens and irritants from your home.
Talk with an asthma specialist about other ways that you may be able to help your child. He or she may recommend the use of an inhaler for attacks, or possibly suggest a daily inhaler to help prevent problems. Care centers like The Regional Allergy Asthma & Immunology Center, PC can help answer your asthma questions for your child.
