Thanks for all of your input, we are still trying to get our arms around this so we can go to the next doctors appointment with the right questions and folllow up.
Asthma, who knows about this?
- Thread starter chinamigarden
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- Jul 9, 2010
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See a pulmonary specialist, as opposed to your regular pediatrician. I have it, and use a daily inhaler, and carry a rescue inhaler. My DD had it as well. Her pediatrician was lost. I finally got my pulmonary doc to recommend a pulmonary for kids, and her asthma became well controlled. Eventually, she grew out of it (she's 17 now). It still kicks up a little here and there, so she keeps an inhaler in her gear bag, but she does not take regular meds.
Learn as much as you can, and see the pulmonary. They will explain it all to you.
Asthma is basically an allergic reation that constricts your airways. The daily meds desensitize your airways, so reactions aren't as severe. Also, they are 12 hour broncho-dilators, so they help keep things open for 12 hours. You CAN NOT use these more than twice a day. The rescue inhalers are fast-acting broncho-dilators, and can be life-saving. They last about 4 hours.
Often, if you can tell what triggers it, you can help avoid that, and make life easier. For me, random cold viruses trigger it, so there is really no way to avoid it. Others can be triggered by any normal allergen, such as cat hair, dog hair, pollens, nuts, etc. Finding out what causes it is very helpful.
Athletically, it can be annoying, but it's not too limiting. I had it bad as a kid, but I still managed 10 years of football (and the corresponding 3 broken fingers, 1 broken hand and a blown up knee that came with it). My DD has missed a game or two during a flare-up, but in the big picture, it hasn't been too limiting for her. When she was littler, like up to about age 12, we never traveled without a nebulizer.
A key is to recognize that your tight chest is not a sign of weakness, and taking your inhaler in no way says you are inferior. She has to recognize those symptoms, communicate them, and deal with them. Often, two puffs from the inhaler, a few minutes rest, and you're ready to go. You can not "tough out" an asthma event. You have to use your inhaler, or get medical help. This is hard for kids to grasp - they think that they can play through it, like a runny nose. This is not the case.
Knowledge, good management, and knowing how to react are key.
Learn as much as you can, and see the pulmonary. They will explain it all to you.
Asthma is basically an allergic reation that constricts your airways. The daily meds desensitize your airways, so reactions aren't as severe. Also, they are 12 hour broncho-dilators, so they help keep things open for 12 hours. You CAN NOT use these more than twice a day. The rescue inhalers are fast-acting broncho-dilators, and can be life-saving. They last about 4 hours.
Often, if you can tell what triggers it, you can help avoid that, and make life easier. For me, random cold viruses trigger it, so there is really no way to avoid it. Others can be triggered by any normal allergen, such as cat hair, dog hair, pollens, nuts, etc. Finding out what causes it is very helpful.
Athletically, it can be annoying, but it's not too limiting. I had it bad as a kid, but I still managed 10 years of football (and the corresponding 3 broken fingers, 1 broken hand and a blown up knee that came with it). My DD has missed a game or two during a flare-up, but in the big picture, it hasn't been too limiting for her. When she was littler, like up to about age 12, we never traveled without a nebulizer.
A key is to recognize that your tight chest is not a sign of weakness, and taking your inhaler in no way says you are inferior. She has to recognize those symptoms, communicate them, and deal with them. Often, two puffs from the inhaler, a few minutes rest, and you're ready to go. You can not "tough out" an asthma event. You have to use your inhaler, or get medical help. This is hard for kids to grasp - they think that they can play through it, like a runny nose. This is not the case.
Knowledge, good management, and knowing how to react are key.
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3sDad
Guest
My DD has it, it flares up occasionally and she'll use her inhaler...seems to more environmentally induced...gas heat (like in houses) which is very very dry...old buildings (probably mold)...
She may go 6 months without her inhaler (always has it available) and then need it for a while...She is on a once a day chewable pill now...dang....er....cant think of the name...SINGULAIR...takes it at night...hasnt had a flare or used her inhaler since...Her Dr recommended she use her inhaler an hour or so before a game etc...but she never seems to need it during ball season...
Asthma is controllable...listen to your Dr....
She may go 6 months without her inhaler (always has it available) and then need it for a while...She is on a once a day chewable pill now...dang....er....cant think of the name...SINGULAIR...takes it at night...hasnt had a flare or used her inhaler since...Her Dr recommended she use her inhaler an hour or so before a game etc...but she never seems to need it during ball season...
Asthma is controllable...listen to your Dr....
I coach and my daughter is a pitcher/2nd base. I keep rescue inhaler on me at all times. Before games I let the ump know I might need medical time-out while on field or while she is on base. Never had an issue with umps/other coaches. Try resp. therapist for breathing techniques to use when attack starts - bad attack can be helped with breathing techniques. Also sipping very warm/hot water will help relax breathing passages - but not easy on a hot day
