When your child has asthma, the airways in his lungs become swollen. It constricts the airways causing shortness of breath. Asthma attacks (also called asthma attacks) around the airways become more swollen and produce extra mucus. This tightens the airway. The muscles around the airway tighten, making it harder for air to enter and exit the lungs.
What Causes An Attack?
An attack occurs when the airway in a child with asthma reacts to a trigger. These are the things that aggravate asthma. Triggers can be smoke, perfume and chemicals, pollen, pet allergies, mold, cockroaches, and dust from mites (dust mites). Attacks can also be caused by exercise, having a cold or flu, and climate change.
What are the Symptoms of an Attack?
Your child is having an attack if he or she has any of the following:
Difficulty breathing
Breathing faster than usual
Noisy wheezing
Feeling of tightness or chest pain
Coughing, especially at night
Difficulty sleeping
It is easy to get tired or out of breath
You have to breathe in every word you say every time you speak
What to Do to Attack
When your child starts to have symptoms, do not procrastinate! When your child's health care provider gives you an asthma action plan, it will tell you what exactly the symptoms will be as a sign of an attack on your child. It will also tell you what you need to do. This may include having your child do the following:
Use quick relief rescue medication. It immediately relaxes your child's breathing by relaxing the muscles that tighten around the airways.
Use a peak flow meter to check how severe the attack is. If the peak flow is less than 50 percent, your child's attack will be severe. You need to call your child's healthcare provider right away. You can also call 911 if your child has any of the symptoms listed above.
When to Call 911
Call 911 right away if your child sees any of the following at the time he or she has an asthma attack:
Excessive speed or difficulty breathing
Suction between the bones in the breast (ribs and above and below the breastbone (also called retractions)
Inability to walk or speak
Lips or fingers turn blue.
Peak flow reads less than 50 percent as most normal
Preventing Attacks
The key to preventing attacks on your child is to make sure his or her asthma is well controlled. Follow the steps below:
Work with your child's healthcare provider. Asthma control requires teamwork. Continue appointments arranged by your child's healthcare provider and asthma manager. Do not make an appointment when your child has asthma. Follow the asthma action plan you and your child's health care provider have made to manage his or her asthma.
Keep your child's airway open. Long-term controller medications such as corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory medications can help with this. They reduce inflammation of the airways. A child with asthma can have a swollen airway at any time, not just when he or she has symptoms. So control medications should be taken daily, even if your child is feeling well.
Monitor and manage the attack immediately. Learn to recognize your child's symptoms and act immediately. Teach your older child to recognize and provide relief for his or her own symptoms. Follow the advice under “What to Do Whenever You Have an Attack” as well as your child's asthma action plan.
Control the triggers. Helping your child avoid triggers is a key to controlling asthma. Take the time to find out what triggers your child. Your older child can help by telling you triggers that you may not be aware of. Take steps to control these triggers. For example, if you or anyone in your household smokes, it is time to quit. Or head outside to smoke. To control dust from mites (dust mites), wash all bedding and stuffed animals once a week with warm water. And vacuum every week using a vacuum filter that can catch the smallest possible grain.
