Your Child’s Asthma: Taking Control

Asthma is a long-term (chronic) disease of the airways in the lungs. It can’t be cured, but it can be controlled. Get to know your child’s asthma triggers and symptoms, and understand your child’s treatment plan.

The benefits of control

A child whose asthma is in control can do all of the things other children do. He or she will:

• Be able to play with other kids and take part in sports

• Be able to sleep well. This means more energy for school and play.

• Miss fewer school days--and you’ll miss fewer workdays.

Asthma symptoms

Some children have symptoms often (persistent asthma). Others have symptoms once in a while (intermittent asthma). Know your child’s pattern of symptoms.

Mild to moderate asthma symptoms

Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about what to do when any of these symptoms occur:

• Coughing, especially at night

• Getting tired or out of breath easily

• Wheezing (a whistling noise when breathing out)

• Chest tightness

• Fast breathing when at rest

Severe asthma symptoms

You should have an Asthma Action Plan that tells you what actions to take based on your child's symptoms. If you don't have an action plan, talk with your child’s healthcare provider about getting one. If you do have an action plan, review it with the provider once in a while to ensure it is up to date.

Call your child’s healthcare provider right away if your child has any of these symptoms:

• Very fast or hard breathing

• Sinking in between the ribs and above and below the breastbone (chest retractions)

• If you or your child monitor asthma with peak flow readings, a peak flow less than 50% of your child's personal best

Call 911 right away if your child has any of these symptoms:

• Unable to walk or talk

• Lips or fingers turning blue

• Your child seems in severe distress

Is your child’s asthma controlled?

If you answer yes to any of the questions below, your child’s asthma may not be in control. Work with your child’s healthcare provider to make changes to his or her treatment plan. Discuss any problems that make it hard for you or your child to stick to the plan.

• Does your child need to use his quick-relief inhaler more than 2 times a week (other than before exercise)?

• Does your child wake up at night with symptoms more than 2 times a month?

• Does your child have trouble doing regular, daily activities more than twice per week?