Helping Your Child Live Well With Asthma

How your pediatrician in Maricopa, AZ, can help your child deal with asthma symptoms.

It can be scary when your child is having an asthma attack. Your child’s airways are much smaller than those of an adult, so breathing problems are even more pronounced. The good news is, your child can live well with asthma, and your doctor can help.

Dr. Anthony DiGeorge of Southwestern Pediatrics in Maricopa, AZ, and his skilled team offer a wide range of pediatric and adult primary care services, including asthma treatment.

One of the main causes of asthma episodes is exposure to an allergen. The first step in allergy treatment is to find out what your child is allergic to. Your pediatrician may recommend skin testing, blood testing, or other methods to identify allergens.

When you know what your child is allergic to, it’s much easier to avoid the allergen, and avoid an asthma attack. Treating allergies with shots or sublingual immunotherapy can also help. In addition to treating allergies, there are other ways to help your child live well with asthma. Remember to:

• Avoid letting people smoke around your child
• Keep your child active, to keep lung function strong
• Have your child eat healthy, to avoid gaining excess weight
• Place a HEPA filter in your child’s bedroom to keep the air free of irritants
• Use hypoallergenic bed linens
• Vacuum carpets regularly, or switch to hardwood floors

You should also schedule regular visits for your child with the pediatrician. Professional asthma care is the foundation of living well with asthma. Your pediatrician may recommend a combination of long-term medications to keep asthma under control, and short-term rescue inhalers to treat sudden, acute asthma attacks.

Many children suffer from asthma. In fact, 1 child in 10 has asthma, according to the CDC. If your child also suffers from asthma, don't worry. Your pediatrician can help. To find out more about how your child can live well with asthma, call Dr. DiGeorge of Southwestern Pediatrics in Maricopa, AZ, at (520) 568-9500 now!