Guest Author - Amy Anaruk
If my daughter did not have an Asthma Action Plan on file at her school, my sanity would not survive her elementary years. She must attend school even when her asthma flares unless she is seriously ill or having severe breathing difficulties. Like all parents of young children with chronic medical issues, I had to learn to trust other adults' handling of my daughter's health. With a complex disease like asthma, my trust didn't come easily. Asthmatics often don't have clear-cut symptoms, and taking a pill won't just make those symptoms go away. It's a condition that involves some guesswork and judgment calls that most people aren't equipped or experienced enough to make.
Asthma in young children therefore means making sure every possible caregiver knows what to do during a flare. Babysitters, school personnel, daycare providers, and afterschool teachers and employees all need detailed instructions about your child's asthma symptoms and treatment so they don't have to make those judgment calls. That's where an Asthma Action Plan comes in. On these step-by-step medical instructions, you can describe the flare symptoms and peak flow readings specific to your child that let caregivers know when to give an inhaler or nebulizer treatment. In addition, you can write down the emergency symptoms your child exhibits during a severe flare, so that caregivers know when to call 911. Basically, the plans take the guesswork out of treating your asthmatic child, giving you peace of mind.
There are lots of good Action Plans out there, but most of them incorporate peak flow readings, asthma medications and dosages, flare symptoms, emergency contact and pediatrician information, and signs of respiratory distress. You can ask your child's doctor for an Asthma Action Plan, or you can check the link below for a printer-ready version that you can fill in at home and then ask the pediatrician to review. A Google search for "Asthma Action Plan" will give you more options in PDF files.
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"Smile, breathe and go slowly." -Thich Nhat Hanh
This article is not written by a medical professional, and information on this page should never be substituted for your physcian's advice. If you have any questions about your asthma and/or allergies, you should always contact your physician first.
