Any suggestions for coping with asthma in 5 year old?

Question

My daughter has asthma. It comes on when she has a cold or an ear or throat infection. I had to give her a liquid steroid last night as she had asthma really badly, the trouble is the steroid makes her so hyper-active, jumping off lounges and running around etc. It drives me crazy because she really needs to rest. I have seen specialists and this is what they all prescribe. She has no dairy or peanuts in her diet because she is allergic to them. What sort of medications do you give your asthmatic child? Are there any new developments I'm not aware of? She also has a daily preventer puffer that has made the attacks less frequent. I would really like some natural remedies if there is any, or diet tips. I hate giving her all these steroidal drugs. Any tips would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Thank you to everyone for your answers, the info is really helpful.

Answer 1

There is a once a day pill here in the US called Singulair.(Montelukast sodium) It is not a steroid and it helps with allergies and asthma. It is available in a chewable for children over 2 years old. My children and grandson take it. You must be faithful to take it daily but it really reduces the breakthrough of symptoms. Colds and allergy triggers can be a problem for asthmatics. In those cases you should have a nebulizer machine at home. The abuterol you get in the puffer can be administered at home through this machine. It is a lifesaver. Just know there will be times the only thing that will help is the steroid. You should also keep track of her pulmonary function with a small device she blows into. It can warn of trouble ahead. Talk to your GP. they should be able to get all these things for you. Be aggressive with this disease as waiting can make things worse. Hope this helps. Good luck

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Asthma is an allergy and is triggered by something. The best non medication treatment for asthma is learning your triggers and avoiding them. Common triggers are smoke, dust, mold, mildew, plants, dust mites, pets and grass/weeds.

If you can not figure our your triggers, you may need to see an allergist and have allergy screening done. This may point out your triggers.

The National Asthma Prevention Program and the Expert Panel of Diagnosis and Management of Asthma both agree if you have to use a prescription inhaler such as albuterol more then two time per week, your asthma is NOT in control and you will need a prescription controller medication.

Controller medications are steroids (Asthmacort Asthmanex, Flovent, Pulmocort), Leukotriene modifier (Singulair, Aculade, Zyflo) or mast cell stabilizers (Cromolyn sodium, Intal, Tilade).

You may want to talk to your doctor about several strong controller medications and maybe Xolair shots.

If you want a proven, all-natural way to cure your asthma, without having to pay for useless medications with harmful side-effects, then this is the most important page you'll ever read.

Answer 4

My 2 1/2 year old daughter is on Albuterol and Flovent, and a pile of other stuff (for a serious respiratory condition, not asthma). I have found that she often has some negative response (hyperactivity, indigestion, etc.) when she first starts a medication, but adjusts within a few days. So I would suggest giving your current prescriptions a chance and see if things settle down. Work closely with your doctor if you want to modify your child's prescriptions, including alternative medicine. If you don't want to use a medication because of its side effects, make sure that your daughter's doctor is aware of your decision, and that you understand the potential consequences. Many medications aren't tested on or allowed for small children - at five years, your daughter is at the upper end of that age range. You may find that you have more options for her within a year or two.

It is difficult to give a small child so many medications, but with a serious condition like asthma you must steel yourself to do what's necessary. The good habits that you develop now (including self advocacy and self education, as well as compliance with the plan that you and her doctor have agreed on) will be with your daughter for the rest of her life.

Answer 5

Gosh I know what your going thu. My son is almost 12 now and suffered for about 8 years. One thing I noticed that made a big difference was. I took him to the chiropractor. When he was born his spine was twisted when they pulled him out. In 3 adjustments I could tell a great difference. Then the doctor put him on singular. And bam in just a year he was not longer on the inhalers. I kept him on the singular and he still is. When he gets a cold I get Flonase from the doctor and he gets well right away. Im so greatfull for the ronald mcdonald house for the things they tried but I think the Chiroprator and just the singular were the way to go. My son has grown 15 inches and gained 60 pounds since he got off those inhalers.

Answer 6

My son is on singular, zyrtec, flovent everyday. He takes albuterol when he has a flare up. It's very important you get the asthma under control because if not, it can interfere with the healthy development of the lungs. When the drugs weren't enough, we sat in the bathroom with the shower turned on as hot as possible. The steam helps.

Double check all food -- including food served at school/daycare. He may be getting dairy in small doses in foods that are cross contaminated. Additionally, it may be time to retest the allergies. Perhaps she has developed an allergy to something else.

Answer 7

i have really bad asthma and am allergic to milk and nuts (and other things as well) i take flovent (a coristeriod inhaler that keeps the lungs from getting inflamed so it cuts down on attacks) and just plain albuterol for an actual attack. the only natural remedies are to avoid triggers or anything that even causes a slight allergic reaction (becuase then the lungs can get irratated and be more prone to an attack). avoid smoke, people smoking, people eating things shes allergic to. there are some herbs that they say may help but ive tried and they dont. the only thing is to avoid triggers. i hope she feels better :(

Answer 8

My son has the exact same thing. They told me to give him advair everyday and I was for awhile. But he only gets asthma when sick like your daughter and I heard that this medication had long term use side effects. I decided to take him off of it unless he has a cold. We also have a nebulizer to use at home when he has a cold. I don't know about natural herbs but if your daughter only gets this a couple times a year like my son I see no reason to medicate her all the time, that is just my opinion.

Answer 9

best bet would be to call a doctor. you might want to find a good holistic doctor too if you don't wanna deal with too many prescriptions, but if you do, make sure it's one that's been through at least 4 years of med school. unfortunately there are those who've been to a few years of schooling and don't have a solid background so stay away from those... if someone starts telling you to rub sharks fin on her belly twice a day while chanting something... run away! check with a doctor for sure... when we're talking your kids well-being, yahoo answers might not be the greatest.
p.s. you can check web-MD or another online medical site for some good tips.

Answer 10

Asthma frequently gets worse through anxiety or excitement.
Practice some relaxing activities with your child. There are videos on Yoga for children available.
Reduce or eliminate sugars from her diet.
Try bee pollen - it has been known to help.
Try to keep pollutants away from her. I know, not easy in the city, but you might try an air cleaner in the home at least...