According to the CDC, asthma is a leading chronic illness among children and adolescents in the United States. Children with asthma will experience an asthma episode (or asthma attack) when exposed to triggers such as dust or tobacco smoke. Before school officially begins again, it is important for parents with asthmatic children to coordinate with the child’s doctor and school nurses and administrators to avoid an asthma episode.

What causes an asthma episode/attack?

An asthma episode occurs when the airways become swollen and inflamed, and the muscles around the airways contract, leading the airways to produce extra mucus, causing the breathing tubes to narrow.

Coughing, wheezing and trouble breathing are expected during an asthma attack. Other signs and symptoms include:

• Severe shortness of breath
• Tightness in the chest
• Low peak expiratory flow (PEF) readings, if using a peak flow meter

Asthma symptoms can be controlled by avoiding triggers and taking medications prescribed by a healthcare provider.

How Parents Can Help Their Children

You’ve heard the phrase “Teamwork makes the dream work.” This can be true when parents work with school nurses and administrators to ensure their child is prepared if they endure an asthma attack. Here are effective ways parents can help their children with asthma.

Meeting with Doctor

Before the school year begins, schedule a visit with your child’s doctor to assess his or her asthma symptoms and triggers. Additionally, this visit can be a good opportunity to ask your child’s doctor for a prescription inhaler or two.

Creating an AAP

Create an Asthma Action Plan and share it with your child’s school nurses and administrators.

Coordinate with School Nurse

Finally, before school begins, bring a copy of your child’s AAP to share with the school nurse. And depending on how young your child is, you may need to leave the inhaler with the nurse, or a trained medical administrator at your child’s school.

We can help

Back-to-school season is a special time for children and parents, and while asthma attacks can be scary, asthma can be treatable. Look to the expert Otolaryngologists at Greater Knoxville ENT to treat your child’s asthma. We offer comprehensive, advanced solutions for all ENT conditions for adults and children. Give us a call at (865) 244-4396 to schedule an appointment.