According to the charity Asthma UK more children with asthma are rushed to hospital when school starts than at any other time of the year. One of the main culprits in this increase in attacks seems to be that many children forget to use their preventer inhalers over the summer holidays; as a result this leaves them much more vulnerable to asthma attacks at the start of the autumn term when the cold and flu season begins.
The good news is that by taking a few simple steps, up to three quarters of these hospital visits can be prevented:
- Keep an asthma diary: this is a great way to keep track of the days and times your child suffers coughs or asthma attacks, and to discover what triggers your child’s asthma. Once you have identified the likely causes you can work with your child to control or reduce the trigger factors.
- Keep a clean house: most asthmatic children are sensitive to dust; by keeping household dust to a minimum this can instantly improve your child’s condition.
- Avoid using harsh cleaning products and chemical: fumes from household cleaners can trigger asthma. Avoid inhaling fumes at home and prevent exposure away from home as much as possible.
- Get rid of carpets: carpets are dust mite magnets! If wood or laminate flooring isn’t an option, make sure to vacuum at least twice a week with a cleaner which has a HEPA filter.
- Keep a pet free home: pet dander is a common asthma trigger; if you can’t bear to be parted from your furry friends, make sure that you limit their access to your furniture and bedrooms.
- Keep your home smoke free: breathing smoke; even second-hand smoke on clothes or furniture, can trigger asthma attacks, so if you haven’t already quit, this is as good an incentive as any to give up cigarettes!
- Prevention is better than cure: make sure your child uses their preventer inhaler regularly. This can keep inflammation to a minimum and prevent asthma attacks.
- Try complementary therapies: If you’re worried about the negative effects of giving your child steroids, natural treatments such as salt therapy can help to reduce inflammation and clear mucus from your child’s airways, which can limit the number of asthma attacks they suffer.
- An apple a day!: make sure to feed your child a diet rich in fruits and vegetables as a healthy balanced diet is the first line of defence against colds and coughs.
- Keep your child involved: As much as possible, get your child involved in managing and understanding their condition. They will be much more motivated to do the right things if they understand from a young age what triggers their asthma and ways to avoid those triggers.
These tips have been provided by experts at the Salt Cave Clinic (based in 320B Earlsfield Road London SW18 3EJ -020 7183 8278) that treats breathing conditions including asthma, eczema, flu and cold with 100% natural Salt Therapy. Clinical trials have shown that children react very quickly, effectively and intensively to natural healing methods. The effectiveness of Salt Therapy is directly observable and highly recommended for most paediatric respiratory and skin conditions. Salt Therapy is also safe for expectant mothers!