5 Ways to Prevent Asthma Complications

Most cases of childhood asthma appear with symptoms that are easily controlled. However, some children struggle more than others, and preventing asthma complications becomes a challenge.

Enlisting the help of Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon MD adds an asthma specialist to your child’s team. Dr. Tandon and her staff are asthma specialists, so we assist you by developing an effective management plan for your child’s respiratory illness.

Preventing asthma complications comes down to controlling and reducing the frequency of your child’s flare-ups. We’ve prepared a list of five key ways you can prevent asthma attacks or reduce their severity.

1. Avoiding triggers

Asthma attacks begin with exposure to conditions for which your child has sensitivity. There’s no single set of asthma triggers: Each patient has their own combinations, so sometimes it’s difficult to discover the specific conditions that trigger your child.

Common pediatric asthma triggers include:

Allergens, such as dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen
Cold, dry air
Emotions, stress, anxiety, crying, or laughing
Exercise, which can induce asthma attacks, particularly when combined with cold air
Exposure to irritants and pollution, including smoke, smog, chemical fumes, and strong fragrances
Insect bites can cause asthma attacks when a child is allergic to the insect
Medications
Respiratory infections, including cold, flu, and COVID-19
Weather changes

Acid reflux and preservatives in beverages and food may also be asthma triggers for some. Avoiding triggers is the most effective way to prevent asthma complications.

2. Use medications as directed

It’s common to have more than one medication prescribed for asthma, usually in inhaler and oral form. Be sure about what each product is for and how it should be administered. Typically, there’s a daily control medication as well as another for use at the beginning of an asthma attack.

3. Vaccinate against respiratory illness

Annual flu vaccines and updated COVID-19 vaccines protect asthmatic children from other conditions that can trigger asthma attacks or cause breathing difficulties.

4. Use an asthma diary

Making notes on potential triggers and flare-up symptoms can help you detect patterns in your child’s illness that may be diagnostically significant. Share your findings with Dr. Tandon.

5. Develop, understand, and share your child’s asthma action plan

An asthma action plan is a written document that covers all aspects of your child’s asthma condition. It can be shared with schools, hospitals, and other caregivers so that your child’s asthma is treated consistently in as many circumstances as possible.

An asthma action plan should include: