Kids with asthma… go the distance!

Raising a child with asthma, your main goal is to ensure he or she leads the most normal, healthy life possible. It’s no secret that one of the keys to doing that is through regular physical activity and exercise (and no, kids, that doesn’t include hours logged on video games and smartphones!).

We know precautions are necessary with asthma, so here are three important things to tackle before your child takes the plunge:

Get guidance from your child’s asthma doctor. He or she can help choose appropriate activities, prescribe pre-exercise medication as needed, and provide an Action Plan for dealing with symptoms if they arise.

Know your child’s Asthma Action Plan.. If your child develops asthma symptoms while exercising, follow your doctor-provided Action Plan right away. Once your child is in the clear, be sure to let the doctor know; it’s possible that a change in medication might be all that’s needed for your child to resume the activity.

Avoid your child’s triggers.. Most sports are safe for people with well-controlled asthma, while some are associated with common triggers. For example, children affected by pollen should steer clear of springtime running, and skiing should not be the sport of choice for those who can’t tolerate cold air. However, if these are activities your child enjoys, you can always look for alternatives, like moving exercise indoors on heavy pollen days or wearing a scarf over the mouth to warm the air while on the slopes.

There’s no doubt that exercise is critical for physical and mental health, and there’s no reason your child should be denied that. With proper monitoring and possibly medication, he or she can run, jump, play, ski – whatever their heart desires – alongside their friends.