Asthma Assistance

If your children have asthma, you naturally want to take care of them and protect them from harm. That’s especially important during the summer, because the heat, pollen, and increased outdoor activity can cause more problems than are seen in the winter months. With that in mind, it’s important to talk to your children’s doctor about the best options for medication, activities, and other concerns. Many people with asthma and other breathing problems stay indoors on days when the pollen count is very high. Your children may need to do this, as well. That will generally depend on how severe their asthma is and how high the pollen count is in your area.

Certain types of pollen are more of an asthma trigger than others, and every person is different. Once you’ve determined your children’s triggers, you can help them feel better and stay healthy by limiting what they do in certain circumstances. While you’re thinking about the pollen over the summer, consider the heat, as well. Excessive heat, especially when it’s coupled with high humidity, is something that many people with breathing problems like asthma have a hard time with. On days that are very warm your children may need to stay indoors. This could be even more important if you live in a climate that’s very humid.

How much exercise your children get can also affect asthma. That doesn’t mean that a child who has asthma shouldn’t get any exercise, but there are limits to how much – and what kind – is safe. Heavy aerobics might not be the best choice for asthmatic children. More sedate exercise is better and safer. It’s generally easier on the body, and it’s also easier for children to stop if they start to feel an asthma attack coming on.

With aggressive exercise, your children might be involved in an asthma attack before they really realize that it’s taking place. That can be dangerous, and make the attack more severe. Talking with a doctor about what your children can safely do is the best way to protect them from serious asthma problems.