Asthma in Children Essay Example
Table of Contents
Introduction ………………………………………………………………. 3
Overview …………………………………………………………………. 4
What is Asthma …………………………………………………………... 5
What are the signs and symptoms of asthma? ..………………………….. 5
What can make asthma symptoms worse? ………………………………. 6
What is the treatment for asthma? ……………………………………….. 8
Peak flow and its importance ……………………………………………. 9
Asthma Action Plan ……………………………………………………... 9
Patient Information Leaflet ……………………………………………... 10
Summary ………………………………………………………………... 11
References ………………………………………………………………. 13
Introduction
“Asthma can affect anyone, any age, anywhere, but it is particularly common among children. Nowadays asthma affects one in five households in the United Kingdom, and it is increasingly common. So how do you recognize the condition and minimize the impact on you, your child and your family? “(Barlow 2007). Often times parents of children with asthma are not given much information on what to do with their child after discharge from the Emergency department especially in patients who are newly diagnosed with asthma. This results in them bringing back their child even though the asthma attack is mild due to parents/carers knowledge about asthma or on home care is limited. Recent developments in the management of chronic illnesses such as asthma offer many possibilities for optimal control, but parents/main carers of children with asthma need to take on responsibilities for self-care. This paper reflects an informative approach on paediatric asthma. The aim is to give information about asthma, to give a brief definition, explain the symptoms of asthma, what the treatments are, what exacerbates the symptoms, and what to do if an asthma attack occurs. The better the parent / carer and the child understand asthma and its treatment the better they will be able to manage and control it. It will also set out why a patient information leaflet should be introduced to help
Introduction ………………………………………………………………. 3
Overview …………………………………………………………………. 4
What is Asthma …………………………………………………………... 5
What are the signs and symptoms of asthma? ..………………………….. 5
What can make asthma symptoms worse? ………………………………. 6
What is the treatment for asthma? ……………………………………….. 8
Peak flow and its importance ……………………………………………. 9
Asthma Action Plan ……………………………………………………... 9
Patient Information Leaflet ……………………………………………... 10
Summary ………………………………………………………………... 11
References ………………………………………………………………. 13
Introduction
“Asthma can affect anyone, any age, anywhere, but it is particularly common among children. Nowadays asthma affects one in five households in the United Kingdom, and it is increasingly common. So how do you recognize the condition and minimize the impact on you, your child and your family? “(Barlow 2007). Often times parents of children with asthma are not given much information on what to do with their child after discharge from the Emergency department especially in patients who are newly diagnosed with asthma. This results in them bringing back their child even though the asthma attack is mild due to parents/carers knowledge about asthma or on home care is limited. Recent developments in the management of chronic illnesses such as asthma offer many possibilities for optimal control, but parents/main carers of children with asthma need to take on responsibilities for self-care. This paper reflects an informative approach on paediatric asthma. The aim is to give information about asthma, to give a brief definition, explain the symptoms of asthma, what the treatments are, what exacerbates the symptoms, and what to do if an asthma attack occurs. The better the parent / carer and the child understand asthma and its treatment the better they will be able to manage and control it. It will also set out why a patient information leaflet should be introduced to help