This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Childhood Asthma

Asthma is one of the most common chronic disorders in childhood and currently affects an estimated 7.1 million children under the age of 18, according to the American Lung Association.

A chronic lung disease, asthma causes the airways to inflame and constrict, making it difficult to breathe. Common symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and a dry, unproductive cough (meaning there is no mucus present).

Children have smaller airways than adults, which makes asthma a serious concern. Fortunately, there are many natural treatments and lifestyle adjustments to help prevent and manage asthma.

Find out what's happening in Framinghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Start by avoiding asthma triggers.  Pollen and pet dander are common allergens, and keeping a clean living space free of dust and mold can help control triggers. Cold weather, exercise and irritants such as pollution and cigarette smoke can cause an asthma episode. Additionally, a common cold or respiratory infection can also trigger asthma.

Keeping an asthma diary can be a very useful tool in helping to identify triggers. A parent or an older child can document any emotional or environmental factors that seem to be contributing to asthma attacks. This technique shows patterns that develop over time and helps to detect and avoid various asthma triggers.

Find out what's happening in Framinghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There are a variety of natural remedies to reduce asthma symptoms, including enzyme blends that work to help digest and loosen mucus, as well as N-acetylcysteine, which also breaks up mucus. Homeopathic remedies can also help reduce symptoms and include argentum nitricum, arsenicum album and kali carbonicum.

In addition to natural remedies, a long-term control medication as well as a quick-relief or “rescue” medicine will help reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms. By working with your child’s doctor and pharmacist, you can find an effective medicine.

Above all, promoting an overall healthy lifestyle is vital to your child’s asthma management. This includes having a healthy diet, encouraging regular exercise and proper rest, and allowing for sufficient time for recreation. A healthy lifestyle supports a healthier body that is more resistant to asthma and allergies.

While there will always be external triggers, it’s important to regulate as many controllable factors as you can to prevent an asthmatic episode. Attention and consistency are the keys – by identifying the right treatment and sticking to it, you can help your child breathe more easily.  

Steve Bernardi is a registered compounding pharmacist, a Framingham resident and co-owner of Johnson Compounding and Wellness Center in Waltham.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?