Asthma Treatment

How is asthma treated?

• Avoidance of things that bring on asthma symptoms or make symptoms worse
• Medications to control asthma symptoms, often called “controller medications”
• Reliever medications taken for immediate relief of symptoms
• A written asthma action plan which supports your doctor's advice and treatment recommendations - your disease management nurse will help you develop your action plan  
• Monitoring your symptoms so you can recognize when your symptoms are getting worse and respond quickly to prevent or stop an asthma attack.

Children with asthma should see a doctor for treatment of their asthma.  Treatment may include allergy testing, finding ways to limit contact with things that bring on asthma attacks, and taking medicine.  Young children will need help from their parents and other caregivers to keep their asthma under control.

Asthma medicines for children are like those adults use, but doses are smaller.  Children with asthma may need both a reliever medication inhaler for attacks and daily medicine to control their asthma.  Children with moderate or severe asthma should learn to use a peak flow meter to help keep their asthma under control.  Using a peak flow meter can be very helpful because children often have a hard time describing their symptoms.