Children with asthma: 4 proven treatments for children with asthma

In the treatment of children with asthma, the main objective is to keep symptoms under control. What this means for the child's asthma attacks that are rare or nonexistent, symptoms are minimal or completely gone and you can participate in exercise or physical activity without limitations. Side effects of medications will be few and far between and rescue inhalers will rarely be necessary. The treatments focus on both prevention of the symptoms and treat an asthma attack already in progress.

• Quick-relief medications used to treat children with asthma when they are in the midst of an attack. Often these will also be used before your child starts a physical activity like exercise. Examples of such drugs include short-acting beta agonists such as albuterol, and oral or intravenous corticosteroids such as prednisone, which is used for those with severe asthma.

• Long-term control medications are used daily and come in a variety of ways. Combination inhalers containing both a long-acting beta-agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid. This is the best option for those whose asthma is well controlled with other medicines. Leukotriene modifiers help prevent asthma symptoms during a period of up to 24 hours. Other options are also available.

• Allergy-induced asthma medications used by children with asthma whose symptoms appear when exposed to an allergen. Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, are used once a week for a short period of time and then once a month for three to five years. This helps reduce the sensitivity to the allergen that helps control asthma. Xolair is another medication that helps reduce allergy symptoms and injected every two to four weeks.

• Action plans for asthma is essential for children with asthma. With this plan, the parent knows that the treatment is working and where changes should be made. He and the child is taught to recognize an asthma attack and what to do when one occurs. In addition, both will learn when relief should be sought.

Only a doctor can determine what treatment options are needed for your child. Discuss the questions and conce
s with your doctor, who knows how to prevent asthma symptoms and attacks. Asthma attacks can be fatal, so the more you know, the better able to control this serious medical condition.