Choosing the Right Asthma Medication
In light of the recent findings, you may be tempted to alter your child’s medication. Before you consult your doctor to make any changes, consider the different medications available, and how they factor into an asthma management plan:
- Inhaler vs other types of medication. Inhalers have been favored over other types of asthma medication, primarily because they are fast-acting and easy to use. Oral and intravenous medication can be important tools for taming severe asthma attacks, but inhalers – both the preventative and rescue varieties – are the most effective first line of defense.
- Steroid vs non-steroid. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the vast majority of pediatricians agree that corticosteroids are the better choice, hands-down. They work best for relieving the inflammation in the airways that restricts breathing, plus they are effective for long-term asthma treatment. Non-steroidal medications (like bronchodilators) tend to have a shorter lifespan in the body, plus they can bring some nasty side effects. In many cases, they also need to be paired with a corticosteroid to counter those risks.
- Dosage. The studies show that the level of corticosteroids in each dose can affect growth differently: in the trials that followed particpants for over a year, lower doses in following years led to better growth. In turn, experts recommend sticking to the lowest effective dose for the lowest risk, which means you should be very clear on how and when to use the inhaler. It’s also a good idea to request that your child’s height be monitored regularly.
Ultimately, childhood asthma that’s left untreated is far more likely to impact health in later years than a small restriction in height, and that’s why most doctors continue to suggest steroid inhalers to control and reduce symptoms. Well-controlled asthma in childhood ensures proper lung development, and that’s nothing to be taken lightly.
Tips to Control Asthma Symptoms
Whichever medication allows for better breathing and fewer asthma symptoms is the medication that’s best for your child. However, there are other daily measures you can take to keep asthma attacks at bay, and avoid the need for a higher dose or a stronger treatment. Allergy-proof pillow and mattress covers can keep nasty mites and other irritants away from your child’s lungs, and be sure to wash stuffed animals regularly. As for the rest of the home, use mild cleaning products and keep the environment nice and dry to protect against mold.
Allergies and asthma are closely related, so it’s important to keep on top of pollen alerts, food allergies, and changes in air quality. But don’t let asthma control your child’s life: if you keep using the medication as directed by your doctor and adopt a few preventative measures, there’s no reason why they can’t enjoy the same freedoms and activities that other children enjoy.
