Positive Options for Children with Asthma: Everything Parents Need to Know »

Parents of asthmatic children often feel helpless in the midst of a severe attack. Written in a warm, reassuring tone, Positive Options for Children with Asthma helps parents better understand and cope with this frightening disease. The book offers advice on creating a safe, allergen-free environment, recognizing warning signs, reducing the intensity of attacks, and reviews the various diagnostic procedures, medications, and treatment options available. Most importantly, parents learn that they can play a key role in preventing and managing asthma attacks.

Contents

Preface....................ix
Acknowledgments....................x
Introduction....................1
Chapter 1: Asthma in Children....................3
Is Asthma Inherited? How Is Asthma in Children Diagnosed? Do Children Outgrow Asthma? What Is the Impact on the Family? Chapter 2: Early Symptoms and Warning Signs....................7
Cough: The Most Common Indicator Common Cold Allergies Chapter 3: Asthma in Children: What Goes Wrong?....................14
The Causes of Inflammation The IgE Antibody Chapter 4: What Causes Asthma?....................18
Predisposing Factors Contributing Factors Chapter 5: The Inhaled Allergens....................22
Indoor Allergens Outdoor Allergens Animals and Insects as Allergens Chapter 6: Protecting Your Child from Food Allergies....................34
Diagnosing Food Allergy Avoiding Common Food Allergens Reducing Allergy with Breastfeeding Chapter 7: Conditions that Make Asthma Worse....................38
Cigarette Smoke Air Pollutants Emotional Stress Aspirin Respiratory Viral Infections Climatic Factors Chapter 8: Diagnosing Asthma in Children....................42
History Physical Examination Chapter 9: Tests for Diagnosing Asthma....................46
Nasal or Sputum Smear Tests Blood Tests The IgE Test Skin Tests Breath Tests and Lung Function Tests Chapter 10: Combating Asthma in Children....................55
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Bronchodilatory Drugs Prophylactic Drugs Other Medications Chapter 11: How Asthma Medications Can Be Effectively Delivered....................68
Inhalation Method Chapter 12: Are Allergy Shots Helpful?....................79
Methods of ImmunotherapyEffectiveness of Immunotherapy Precautions Chapter 13: Can Exercise Induce Asthma?....................84
Diagnosing EIA Preventing and Reducing EIA Relieving EIA Chapter 14: Preventing Asthma: Some Necessary Precautions....................89
How to Help Asthmatic Children Avoid an Attack Positive Options for Children with Asthmavi Chapter 15: Early Symptoms of an Attack: What Parents Must Know and Do....................98
Preventing and Managing a Possible Attack Chapter 16: Managing Asthma: Guidelines for Parents....................102
Chronic Mild Asthma Chronic Moderate Asthma Chronic Severe Asthma Chapter 17: Seeking Medical Assistance....................112
The Management of Emergency Treatment Management of Acute Attacks in Hospitals Management of Acute Attacks in Infants Chapter 18: Alternative Therapies for Asthma....................117
Diet Do's and Don'ts Herbal and Natural Remedies Chapter 19: Making Children Independent....................128
Offering Positive Reinforcement Setting Specific Goals Encouraging a Normal Student Life Leaving Home for the First Time Chapter 20: Some Important Rules for Parents....................136
Glossary....................139
Bibliography....................143
Resources....................145
Index....................147