Kids Asthma Treatment - Part 2 of 2
< Continued from page 1
Updated September 10, 2014.
To some extent, the treatment of asthma in children (and adults) is somewhat of a trial and error process. The goal is always to give the least medicine necessary to keep symptoms under control. When control is not attained, however, doctors will first evaluate whether the asthma medication is being given correctly. This includes following exact instructions for the dosage, frequency and time of day of the medicine.
It also includes looking at inhaler or nebulizer technique, as using both in kids can be challenging at times.
The doctor will also consider whether other health problems, such as sinusitis, may be interfering with asthma control. And finally, efforts at avoiding environmental triggers must be looked at. When a child continues to come into daily contact with triggers, asthma control will be challenged. It should be emphasized too that every child should have a written, personalized Asthma Action Plan that guides parents on a day to day basis with managing their child's asthma.
When stepping up treatment, or addressing the other factors discussed above, doesn't improve the child's health status, then a referral to an asthma specialty doctor is strongly encouraged, particularly in the presence of any of the following conditions:
Once control has been achieved, the Expert Panel still recommends that kids be seen by their doctors every 1 to 6 months. If a future step-down in treatment is planned, then the child should be seen at 3-month intervals until this occurs. Step-down should be considered if a child has been under control for at least 3 months.
Source:
"Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma." NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma. 28 Aug 2007. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. 18 Dec. 2007 <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf>
When Treatment Does Not Achieve Expected Degree of Control To some extent, the treatment of asthma in children (and adults) is somewhat of a trial and error process. The goal is always to give the least medicine necessary to keep symptoms under control. When control is not attained, however, doctors will first evaluate whether the asthma medication is being given correctly. This includes following exact instructions for the dosage, frequency and time of day of the medicine. It also includes looking at inhaler or nebulizer technique, as using both in kids can be challenging at times.
The doctor will also consider whether other health problems, such as sinusitis, may be interfering with asthma control. And finally, efforts at avoiding environmental triggers must be looked at. When a child continues to come into daily contact with triggers, asthma control will be challenged. It should be emphasized too that every child should have a written, personalized Asthma Action Plan that guides parents on a day to day basis with managing their child's asthma.
When stepping up treatment, or addressing the other factors discussed above, doesn't improve the child's health status, then a referral to an asthma specialty doctor is strongly encouraged, particularly in the presence of any of the following conditions:
Once control has been achieved, the Expert Panel still recommends that kids be seen by their doctors every 1 to 6 months. If a future step-down in treatment is planned, then the child should be seen at 3-month intervals until this occurs. Step-down should be considered if a child has been under control for at least 3 months.
Source:
"Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma." NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma. 28 Aug 2007. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. 18 Dec. 2007 <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf>
Updated September 10, 2014.
To some extent, the treatment of asthma in children (and adults) is somewhat of a trial and error process. The goal is always to give the least medicine necessary to keep symptoms under control. When control is not attained, however, doctors will first evaluate whether the asthma medication is being given correctly. This includes following exact instructions for the dosage, frequency and time of day of the medicine.
It also includes looking at inhaler or nebulizer technique, as using both in kids can be challenging at times.
The doctor will also consider whether other health problems, such as sinusitis, may be interfering with asthma control. And finally, efforts at avoiding environmental triggers must be looked at. When a child continues to come into daily contact with triggers, asthma control will be challenged. It should be emphasized too that every child should have a written, personalized Asthma Action Plan that guides parents on a day to day basis with managing their child's asthma.
When stepping up treatment, or addressing the other factors discussed above, doesn't improve the child's health status, then a referral to an asthma specialty doctor is strongly encouraged, particularly in the presence of any of the following conditions:
- Control is difficult to achieve.
- A child in the 0 to 4 years age group requires step 3 or higher care.
- A child in the 5 to 11 years age group required step 4 or higher care.
- The child has an asthma flare that requires hospitalization.
- Allergy tests or allergy shots are to be considered, due to suspicions of allergic factors.
Physician Follow-up Care for Kids With Asthma
Once control has been achieved, the Expert Panel still recommends that kids be seen by their doctors every 1 to 6 months. If a future step-down in treatment is planned, then the child should be seen at 3-month intervals until this occurs. Step-down should be considered if a child has been under control for at least 3 months.
Source:
"Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma." NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma. 28 Aug 2007. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. 18 Dec. 2007 <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf>
When Treatment Does Not Achieve Expected Degree of Control To some extent, the treatment of asthma in children (and adults) is somewhat of a trial and error process. The goal is always to give the least medicine necessary to keep symptoms under control. When control is not attained, however, doctors will first evaluate whether the asthma medication is being given correctly. This includes following exact instructions for the dosage, frequency and time of day of the medicine. It also includes looking at inhaler or nebulizer technique, as using both in kids can be challenging at times.
The doctor will also consider whether other health problems, such as sinusitis, may be interfering with asthma control. And finally, efforts at avoiding environmental triggers must be looked at. When a child continues to come into daily contact with triggers, asthma control will be challenged. It should be emphasized too that every child should have a written, personalized Asthma Action Plan that guides parents on a day to day basis with managing their child's asthma.
When stepping up treatment, or addressing the other factors discussed above, doesn't improve the child's health status, then a referral to an asthma specialty doctor is strongly encouraged, particularly in the presence of any of the following conditions:
- Control is difficult to achieve.
- A child in the 0 to 4 years age group requires step 3 or higher care.
- A child in the 5 to 11 years age group required step 4 or higher care.
- The child has an asthma flare that requires hospitalization.
- Allergy tests or allergy shots are to be considered, due to suspicions of allergic factors.
Physician Follow-up Care for Kids With Asthma
Once control has been achieved, the Expert Panel still recommends that kids be seen by their doctors every 1 to 6 months. If a future step-down in treatment is planned, then the child should be seen at 3-month intervals until this occurs. Step-down should be considered if a child has been under control for at least 3 months.
Source:
"Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma." NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma. 28 Aug 2007. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. 18 Dec. 2007 <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf>
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