Helping Children with Asthma Stay Active

Many children find friendship and learn valuable lessons through sports. Parents who have children with asthma fear that being active and participating in sports might be harmful for their health. Asthma should not prevent any child from staying active and enjoying the sports they love. However, you may need to modify your child’s involvement to suit their needs.

Here are a few ways to control symptoms and avoid asthma triggers.

1. BE PROACTIVE: Ensure your child’s asthma is under control before involving them in sports. Make sure your child takes their prescribed medicine, especially before exercise if they need it. Encourage your child to breathe through the nose as mouth-breathing can cause bronchospasms. By staying on top of your child’s asthma, you can prevent severe flare-ups and minimize milder ones.

2. BE PREPARED: Carry your child’s blue rescue inhaler with you at all times in case of a flare-up.

3. STAY PROTECTED: Avoid asthma triggers such as cold air, smog, pollen, etc., before your child’s sporting activities. Ensure your child has enough time to warm up before sports and to cool down afterwards.

4. HAVE A PLAN: Create an asthma action plan with your doctor or health care professional that suits your child’s needs. Your child’s action plan should include:

• What symptoms you should watch for
• What symptoms mean and the difference between a mild and severe flare-up
• How to use medication according to symptoms
• When to call the doctor or 911

For more information on asthma action plans please visit www.lung.ca.

5. INFORM OTHERS: It’s important to share your child’s asthma condition and emergency action plan with coaches or teachers. They need to understand the severity of asthma and what signs to look for to know when your child needs to take a break, or requires immediate medical attention.