One of the chronic disease that is affecting everybody regardless of socio-economic status is asthma. It is most common among children hence proper care and prevention should be on top of your list if you have an asthmatic child.Asthma (Az-muh) is a chronic disease that affects your airways by experiencing attacks of breathlessness and wheezing.

Some have acquired asthma and others through genetic composition.

Although causes of asthma attacks are not totally understood, some prevalent factors for asthma attacks comes from inhaled asthma triggers. These includes:

• indoor allergens (like house dust mites in bedding, carpets and stuffed furniture, pollution and pet dander)
• outdoor allergens (such as pollens and moulds)
• tobacco smoke
• chemical irritants in the workplace

Some other causes include cold air, extreme emotional arousal like anger or fear and physical exercise.

For children with asthma, it is very important that you choose a pediatrician who is specializing pulmonary infections or other related specialization. Work closely with your doctor and make sure you bring your child for a visit when symptoms occur. Diligently follow his/her medication.

Check the medications since some can trigger asthma attacks like aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs.

Taking care of your asthmatic child requires patience and follow through.Here are simple tips I could recommend:

1. Avoid exposing your child to asthma triggers.

2. Keep your house clean and ventilated.

3. Let him take enough sleep at night (minimum of 8 hours) and in between naps at day time to avoid stress.

4. When at the playground, bring lots of extra shirt and ensure that he has dry shirt on. Sweats that left unnoticed will dry eventually that may cause coughing and soon triggers asthma.

5. Avoid giving them chocolates, peanuts and other foods that might cause allergies.

6. At home, make sure there is enough zyrtec and ventolin nebule just in case. Make sure you buy yourself a nebulizer so you don’t have to rush to the hospital whenever your child has an asthma attack.

7. Let your child take supplements to ensure that he is healthy and has strong immune system. I recommend Herbalife N-R-G tablets and Vitamins and Minerals (Crushed and mixed with milk or juices , half tablet once daily).

With close to four years of taking care of two asthmatic children, I have noticed that letting you child eat the right kind of foods like vegetable and fruits helps so much in ensuring a healthy body hence lesser chance of getting sick.The Herbalife supplements have been very helpful in keeping them healthy and minimizing asthma attacks.

Medications can help only for short – term problems but is not advisable for longer use especially for children.