So, your worst fear has been realized. The wheezing turned out to be asthma. Hundreds of thoughts run through your head. You ask yourself, “Will my kid ever have a normal life?” Your children’s health is one of the most important things in the world for you as a parent. To face this challenge with your child, you have to keep focused and tackle it systematically. Asthma is difficult, but it isn’t a curse that can’t be born. You and your family can do this.
Here are 5 steps that you can take to feel less overwhelmed and more in charge of the situation.
1. Keep calm and do your research
One of the best ways to manage anxiety and fear is research. We usually fear things that are unknown. But if we aim ourselves with facts, then bit by bit, things start to make sense. You focus on the solutions rather than the fear. The same thing can be said when dealing with asthma. Some things you might want to consider:
- Take down notes when visiting the doctor
- Research more about medical terms or treatments that were not clear to you
- Keep an asthma diary to keep track of the asthma triggers
2. Find an asthma specialist that you can trust
You may be limited to the specialists depending on your healthcare coverage, but it doesn’t mean you should settle for anything less. It might take some time in the beginning, but finding the right pediatrician that’s not only highly qualified, but also someone that you can trust is going to be worth it.
3. Improve the air quality in your home
Probably the simplest yet one of the most effective ways to manage asthma symptoms. The better the air, the less pollutants in the home that can trigger an asthma attack. In order to do this, you need to know what’s going on and that’s by having an indoor air quality sensor. Various products are out in the market and though we would recommend you to pick uHoo because of all its benefits, we’d still want you to choose which one would best fit your taste and needs.
4. Encourage a healthy lifestyle
Being paranoid comes naturally with parenthood. This could be magnified when your kid has asthma. You might be too worried that any activity might trigger an attack. It’s good to be careful, but there’s a danger in being too cautious. As long as you have done everything to keep the asthma symptoms under control, your kid shouldn’t feel restricted and would be able to pursue normal activities and sports.
5. Remember you don’t have to do it alone
Ask friends and family members for help. Since asthma is a common chronic condition, a family member or a friend may either have asthma or would know how to help. He or she would be more than willing to help you by sharing their own experiences.
In the end, living with asthma is a team effort, and a familial one. Your friends and family likely all know somebody who has suffered from asthma, and will be supportive of your situation. With the proper knowledge and loving care, you can help your child lead a very normal and fruitful life.
