This blog will provide a broad view of some of the asthma medications, and equipment that you will have to become familiar with. I will also talk about the importance of self-care and providing support for your child to begin managing their own care, and getting familiar with their own individualized routine with these medications.
Self-care is especially important for those that are heading back to school. The GOAL of self-care support is “enabling patients to perform three sets of tasks: medical management of their condition, carrying out normal roles and activities and managing the emotional impact of their condition” (Kirk, Beatty, Callery, Gellatly, Milnes, & Pryjmachuk, 2013).
This is an important topic because “the self-care context in relation to children is complex due to the role played by parents managing their children’s long-term conditions and the influence of peers” (Kirk, et. Al, 2013). As you read this, you may think “but my child is too young to make accountable for their own medication and administration.” It is not about making your child 100% accountable but providing them the information and including them in their own care, so that they are able to learn and have success in managing their asthma as they continue to grow. “Children face a lifetime of condition management and their success in this may influence health outcomes in adulthood” (Kirk, et. Al, 2013).
My intention is to provide you with the tools and resources about the newly prescribed medication and equipment, so that the knowledge can be spread to your child, and they can begin their self-care. Too assist in providing self-care, I have added some fun new resources in the resources tab. A fun video/ cartoon has been added as a tool for your child to learn how to use their inhaler. Also added, is a fun game called Lungtropolis, where your child can act as an investigator who is trying to get rid of the mucus monster by playing games and learning information about their asthma to help save the city!
Now, on to learning about the medication and equipment. The medication treatment prescribed by the doctor depends on your child's age, their type of asthma, and how well the treatment is controlling asthma symptoms. Children up to age 4 are usually treated differently than children who are 5-11 years old (Thompson, 2013). The least amount of medicine that controls your child's symptoms is prescribed and if increasing is necessary, it is done in steps and a dose may be increased or a medication may be added (Thompson, 2013).
Self-care is especially important for those that are heading back to school. The GOAL of self-care support is “enabling patients to perform three sets of tasks: medical management of their condition, carrying out normal roles and activities and managing the emotional impact of their condition” (Kirk, Beatty, Callery, Gellatly, Milnes, & Pryjmachuk, 2013).
This is an important topic because “the self-care context in relation to children is complex due to the role played by parents managing their children’s long-term conditions and the influence of peers” (Kirk, et. Al, 2013). As you read this, you may think “but my child is too young to make accountable for their own medication and administration.” It is not about making your child 100% accountable but providing them the information and including them in their own care, so that they are able to learn and have success in managing their asthma as they continue to grow. “Children face a lifetime of condition management and their success in this may influence health outcomes in adulthood” (Kirk, et. Al, 2013).
My intention is to provide you with the tools and resources about the newly prescribed medication and equipment, so that the knowledge can be spread to your child, and they can begin their self-care. Too assist in providing self-care, I have added some fun new resources in the resources tab. A fun video/ cartoon has been added as a tool for your child to learn how to use their inhaler. Also added, is a fun game called Lungtropolis, where your child can act as an investigator who is trying to get rid of the mucus monster by playing games and learning information about their asthma to help save the city!
Now, on to learning about the medication and equipment. The medication treatment prescribed by the doctor depends on your child's age, their type of asthma, and how well the treatment is controlling asthma symptoms. Children up to age 4 are usually treated differently than children who are 5-11 years old (Thompson, 2013). The least amount of medicine that controls your child's symptoms is prescribed and if increasing is necessary, it is done in steps and a dose may be increased or a medication may be added (Thompson, 2013).
Basic information about some of the common medications/ interventions/ equipment are provided. Use the slide show to help give you visual aid of what the medications/ equipment are.
1. Quick Relief Medication Quick relief medication often come in a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), and is a lightweight, handheld device that propels the medication into the lungs. The medicine is usually in an aerosol, or mist, form and is used by pumping the medication while breathing in quickly (Pope & Stewart, 2013). "Quick relief medications quickly open swollen airways that are limiting breathing" (Mayo Clinic, 2013). 2. Long Acting Medication Long acting medication comes in different sizes, shapes and colors and is in a dry powder form. It is simple to use and activated by breathing in. The medication stays in the holder your child breathes it in (Thompson & Yoneda, 2013). It is also important to keep track of how many doses are left, and most inhalers have counters on them to make it easy. "Preventative, long term control medications reduce the inflammation in your child's airway that leads to symptoms" (Mayo Clinic, 2013). These medications are used daily, and should not be used for quick relief when your child begins having an asthma attack. | 3. Nebulizer A nebulizer is a "small machine that converts asthma medication into a mist that the child can breathe in through a mask (American Lung Association, 2014). Nebulizers are often used/ prescribed for chidlren who are unable or too young to perform proper technique required for inhalers (Mustafa & Ramsey, 2014). The machine comes in different shapes/ characters (as pictured), to make it more fun for the child. Consult your health care provider to find out whati s available. 3. Spacer A spacer is a device that is attached to the inhaler to help the child get an accurate dose of medicine (Pope &Stewart, 2013). Once the inhaler is sprayed, the medication stays in the chamber, and "from that chamber the child can inhale the medication slowly when they are ready" (Pope & Stewart, 2014). A spacer allows the medication to get deeper into the lungs and may prevents side effects, such as yeast infection of the mouth (Pope & Stewart, 2014). 4. Peak Flow Meter "A peak flow meter is a portable, easy-to-use device that measures how well your lungs are working" (Mayo Clinic, 2012). You use this to assist in watching for worsening signs and symptoms, such as wheezing or coughing. A peak flow meter allows you to measure day-to-day changes the breathing pattern of your child. Using a peak flow meter can help with:
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