Caring for a child with asthma or allergies can sometimes be challenging, especially if the symptoms are severe. If you are looking for asthma or allergy management treatments for your child, you can talk to Dr. Jones and his experienced team at Argyle Pediatrics. This team offers comprehensive evaluations and recommendations to improve your child’s quality of life.
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An overview of asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder in which your airways swell and narrow and produce excessive mucus, making breathing difficult. You may have a wheezing sound during an asthma attack and experience shortness of breath. For some individuals, asthma is a mild issue; for others, it is a major medical condition that interferes with their daily life, and some episodes may be life-threatening. Although this chronic condition has no known cure, specific medications can help control the symptoms. Anyone can develop asthma, including children. Your child may experience an asthma attack after coming into contact with triggers like cigarette smoke, chemicals, and allergens. They may also develop asthma-related breathing difficulties during physical activities.
Treatment options for asthma
During your initial appointment, Dr. Jones creates a rapport with your child before discussing their symptoms, reviewing their health history, and performing tests. These tests are necessary to rule out other severe respiratory disorders. Several childhood conditions manifest symptoms similar to asthma, which may sometimes occur with it. Medical conditions with asthma-like symptoms include sinusitis, rhinitis, and dysfunctional breathing. If your doctor diagnoses your child with asthma, they may recommend an inhaler containing quick-acting medications to unblock their airways. Dr. Jones may also prescribe additional medications to minimize inflammation and home breathing treatments with a nebulizer machine which delivers the medicines in a fine-mist form to make breathing easier for your child.
What you should know about allergies
Allergies are your immune system’s reaction to foreign substances like pet dander, pollen, or even food that may not harm other people. Your immune system releases antibodies that protect you from harmful bacteria and viruses. When you encounter allergies, your immune system perceives the allergen as dangerous and produces antibodies that lead to inflammation of your airways, sinuses, or skin. The severity of allergies varies from one individual to the next and can range from a sneeze to anaphylaxis, a medical emergency. While there is no known cure for allergies, specific can alleviate the symptoms.
How you can manage your child’s allergies
Minor allergies rarely need medical intervention, but if they interfere with your child’s daily life, you can consult your doctor about the available treatments. Your provider may recommend over-the-counter medications for mild to moderate allergies. Dr. Jones involves you and your child in developing a plan to avoid allergens, such as closing windows if your child is allergic to pollen. She may also help you identify the foods that may trigger your child’s allergies so you can remove them from the diet.
Get enlightened on ensuring your child’s health despite asthma or allergies by contacting Dr. Jones or scheduling an appointment online today.
Tiffany is a Medical Student and also works as a fitness coach in part-time. She is also a writer and writes on health and fitness articles. Tiffany loves to engage with users and help them provide various useful information on General Health. She provides researched-based information and also featured on various blogs and magazines.