Nearly 15% of Americans have asthma according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including 6.5% of kids. While asthma can’t be cured, it can be managed, and a custom asthma action plan holds the key.
At Nevada Pediatric Specialists, in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, our team understands the frustrations and worries associated with childhood asthma — both for kids and their parents. We work closely with every patient to establish an asthma action plan that’s tailored to each child’s needs so they can enjoy happier, healthier lives.
An asthma action plan is a written plan that details the steps to take to manage asthma symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Because asthma affects everyone differently, these plans must be individually tailored to each child in order to be effective.
To develop your child’s plan, we review your child’s symptoms, their triggers, and their prior and current treatments to learn what has worked and what hasn’t. In general, your child’s plan contains information about:
Once your child has an asthma action plan, they should take it everywhere with them.
Action plans are often divided into three sections: one explaining what to do to manage symptoms when your child is feeling fine, one that details what to do if your child is showing signs of a flare-up, and one that explains what steps to take if the flare-up is severe.
With asthma, the airways become inflamed and clogged with mucus, making it more difficult for your child to breathe. While even a mild flare-up can be nerve-racking, a severe asthma attack can prevent your child from getting enough oxygen, sometimes completely sealing off the airways.
Knowing what to do during a flare-up is essential for preventing symptoms from getting worse. It’s also important to recognize when symptoms become life-threatening and warrant seeking vital emergency treatment.
An asthma plan is a step-by-step roadmap aimed at identifying essential steps that can help your child avoid flare-ups and successfully manage them if they do occur. Having a plan helps you and your child, and it also helps others who might need to intervene.
That’s why it’s important to share a copy of the plan with your child’s school nurse, their teacher, their coaches, and anyone else who may need to step in during an asthma attack. If your child is older, they should also review their plan to understand the steps involved in their care.
Because asthma affects the way your child breathes, it can take a toll on them physically, socially, and emotionally, too. A good asthma action plan helps your child manage their symptoms and prevent attacks so they can focus on the fun parts of being a kid.
If your child has asthma, we can help. To learn how we can design an asthma action plan for your child, call 702-457-5437 or book an appointment online with Nevada Pediatric Specialists today.
