Utah Valley Pediatrics strives to keep parents up to date on the latest health topics and advisories. Our newsletter covers medicine changes and news, pediatric news, seasonal and age specific topics and what's new at Utah Valley Pediatrics.
Archives
Summer 2009
Vol. 3 Issue 2
Medicine Changes and News
A False Sense of Security: Refusing Vaccination Puts Us at Risk
Medical Discount Cards — Not Worth The Investment
Pediatric News
Does My Child Have an Allergy?
Protecting Your Child From Asthma Flare-Ups
Seasonal and Age Specific
Fun in the Sun: Protect Your Children From Skin Damage
Sign Up Early for Sports and Camp Physicals
What's New at UVP
Dr. Michael P. Fullmer Joins Payson Office
Payson Office Expands After Hours Care
Contacts
Kevin Moffitt
Administrator
801-373-8930
Katie Jenkins
HR Manager
801-373-8930
Quick Links
Dealing With Asthma Flare Ups
Parents who have children with asthma often have to be extra vigilant. If your child's asthma does not stay under control your child can experience what are called asthma flare-ups (also called attacks or episodes). Because it is important to treat flare-ups early, it is a good idea for parents to learn how to recognize and prevent flare-ups.
How Do I Recognize an Asthma Flare-Up?
The signs of a flare-up can vary from child to child, so it is important to be aware of your child's unique signs.
Common signs include:
• Breathing rapidly or irregularly
• Experiencing unusual fatigue
• Coughing, even when your child doesn't have a cold
• Clearing of the throat
• Having trouble standing or sitting still
• Sleeping restlessly
• Worsening of asthma symptoms, including wheezing, coughing or shortness of breath
If the flare-up is especially severe you may notice one or all of the following.
• Your child struggles to breathe even when staying still.
• Your child cannot say more than a few words without pausing.
• Your child's chest retracts when breathing (the skin sucks in sharply around the ribs when inhaling).
What Can Cause a Flare-Up?
People with asthma often already have swollen airways in their lungs. During a flare-up this inflammation gets worse so that there is very little room for air to get through. This often happens when a person is exposed to certain triggers, including:
• tobacco smoke
• cold air
• exercise
• infections, such as colds
• animal dander
• dust mites
• mold
• cockroaches
• allergies
How Do I Prevent a Flare-Up?
The best way to prevent flare-ups is by following your pediatrician's directions. Be sure that your child takes the controller medicine prescribed by the doctor. Even if your child is doing better, it is important not to skip it. Your child should not go anywhere without an inhaler and should actively avoid any asthma triggers. Work with your pediatrician to create and follow an asthma action plan. This plan will help you know how to handle changes in your child's breathing and what to do in emergency situations.
What Do I Do When My Child Has a Flare-Up?
Flare-ups can be life threatening, so it is important to immediately follow your child's asthma action plan. This might include taking rescue medication, visiting the doctor or even going to the hospital.
If you have not yet created an asthma action plan for your child, be sure to talk to your pediatrician.
For more information:
"A" Is for Asthma – and for Active! (Sesame Workshop) (Includes a helpful video that helps children better understand asthma and what to do during an attack.)
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