Roughly 6 million children in the United States find themselves impacted by asthma. Asthma is a common respiratory condition that can cause issues with your child’s breathing. The condition is characterized by inflammation in the airways, which can trigger an asthma attack and other unwanted symptoms. Finding an effective treatment plan is necessary for your child’s short and long-term health. Inhalers are a common treatment option that can help your child in the event of an asthma attack. Below you will find helpful asthma inhaler techniques for children.
Asthma Inhaler Techniques for Children
Inhalers are devices that deliver measured amounts of medication to your lungs. Inhalers, also referred to as “MDIs” or “metered dose inhalers,” are pressurized canisters of medicine. They are held in a plastic holder with a mouthpiece. The medication is released in the form of a mist which is administered orally through the mouthpiece. The medication helps relax the muscles that tighten around your airways during an asthma attack. This helps open the airways letting more air move in and out of the lungs. This can help restore your breathing so it’s a crucial part of your child’s treatment asthma treatment plan.
Parents can take a supportive role in their children’s asthma treatment plan. Educating your child on how to properly use their inhaler can help your child take care of any issues that occur when you are not around. Consider the following asthma inhaler techniques for children.
Proper Use:
One of the most important things you can do it help your child understand how to properly use their inhaler. Depending on how old they are, this explanation can be tailored to be more age-appropriate for your child. It’s important for your child to understand how to quickly and efficiently take the cap off the mouthpiece, periodically check that there is adequate medication in the canister, and how to properly administer the medication. Your child should inhale through their mouth (not their nose) and take deep, slow breaths when they press down on the canister. Helping your child understand how to operate their inhaler is an important step in their treatment plan.
Regular Cleaning:
It is crucial to properly clean the inhaler on a regular basis. This can prevent medication buildup and blockages. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how frequently you should clean the inhaler. However, you should clean in at least once a week.
Use Spacer Devices:
A spacer device can help deliver more medication directly to your lungs with each spray. Spacers decrease the amount of medicine that remains in your child’s mouth (on their tongue or on the back of the mouth). Medication that stays in your child’s mouth is unhelpful as it needs to get to their airways. A spacer can help you child inhale more slowly and deeply, making just one or two sprays highly effective in treating an asthma attack.
Asthma Treatment Plan
If you are concerned your child may have asthma, contact an asthma doctor in New York City. An asthma doctor can create a treatment plan that works for your child. If your child has been diagnosed with asthma and their current treatment isn’t working, it’s important to find a new pediatric pulmonologist in Queens that can adjust the treatment plan.
Each patient is uniquely different so it can take some time to find a treatment plan that works. To ensure the long-term health of your child, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mayank Shukla at Dr. Manyank Shukla Asthma & Sleep Institute. Untreated asthma can cause serious health issues, such as scarring and loss of the surface layer on your child’s lungs. This lung damage can be permanent and irreversible.
