Asthma can be triggered by a variety of things, including exposure to pollen, dust, feathers, molds, animal dander, pollution, cigarette smoke, or cold dry air, as well as an upper respiratory infection, exercise, excitement, and stress. Sometimes a child will develop an asthma attack for no apparent reason.

A child experiencing an asthma attack will cough, wheeze, have an increased respiratory rate, have a feeling of tightness in her chest, and have difficulty breathing. Early signs of an asthma attack include an itchy throat, a change in breathing pattern, fatigue, paleness, nervousness, a runny nose, or moodiness. It is important to watch your child carefully and treat her quickly if you notice an asthma attack coming on. If you have any doubts as to your child's breathing, don't hesitate to call your doctor.

If your child suffers from asthma, one simple way you can monitor her breathing is with an instrument called a peak flow meter, available at many large drug stores and through medical supply catalogs. These are relatively inexpensive, simple-to-use devices that measure how much airpressure your child can exert with a full exhalation. The meter's indicator can be used to compare how your child's air flow changes from day to day. By monitoring this way, you will have a more reliable means of determining whether your child's condition is getting better or worse. Your physician will help you determine what to watch for with your child.

Conventional Treatment For chronic asthma, steroids are currently the conventional treatment of choice. These medicines work by decreasing the swelling and inflammation of the airways. They can be taken orally or inhaled. Inhaled steroids (including Beclovent, Vanceril, AeroBid, and Azmacort) are more commonly used; oral steroids (such as Pediapred) are generally used only in more severe cases. All steroids potentially have significant side effects, especially when taken over the long term, that need to be understood. Talk this over with your doctor or nurse.

Emergency Treatment for Asthma In the event of a severe asthma attack, you need to seek immediate medical care for your child. If your child's asthma is not resolving using the treatments you know, call your physician and take your child to the emergency room. At the hospital, your child will probably be given an inhaled medication that sprays a bronchodilator (a substance that opens air passages to restore free breathing) directly into the airways. If this does not help, she may receive other drugs, such as intravenous steroids or theophyl-line, and may need to be hospitalized. In some cases a child will need to receive oxygen to ease the work of breathing. On the way to the hospital, you can give your child one dose of homeopathic Aconite to help ease her fear. Five minutes after administering the Aconite, give your child one dose of Bach Flower Rescue Remedy. This calming remedy will help ease the shock, anxiety, or fright your child may be experiencing.

Bronchodilators, in either oral or inhaled form, may be prescribed for the relief of occasional symptoms of asthma. These medications work to open up the airways, easing breathing. Inhaled bronchodilators that may be prescribed include Alupent, Maxair, and Ventolin. Oral medications in this category (which include Alupent and theophylline based drugs) are rarely used today because they can cause side effects such as restlessness, insomnia, headache, loss of appetite, increased heart rate, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Long-term use of theophylline may also be associated with behavioral problems and learning disabilities, although the evidence for this is not conclusive.

Dietary Guidelines
A child who has asthma should eat a healthy, whole-foods diet based on lean proteins, grains, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid excessive saturated and animal fats.

Avoid giving your child dairy foods, which tend to increase the production of mucus.

Beware of foods such as nuts, citrus fruits, whole-wheat products (especially yeasted breads), seafood, and foods containing additives like preservatives or food dyes, as well as contact with animals. Any of these items can cause or exacerbate an allergy-induced asthma attack in susceptible children.

Following an asthma attack, encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids once her condition is stable enough for her to do so. It is important to thin secretions so that they are easily coughed out.

Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements for asthma are directed at preventing or supporting recovery from an asthma attack, rather than treating an acute episode. In the event of an acute asthma attack, seek immediate medical care for your child. For age-appropriate dosages of nutritional supplements, see page 81.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) help to regulate the inflammatory response. Good sources are evening primrose oil or EPA (fish oil). Give your child either of these supplements, one to three times a day, for two to three months, following the dosage directions on the product label. A combination of the two may be more effective in some children.
Note: Evening primrose oil should not be given to a child who has a fever.

Magnesium has a bronchodilating effect if taken in the proper dosage. Some doctors give magnesium sulfate by injection to treat acute asthma attacks. Try giving your child one dose of magnesium, twice a day. If she develops loose stool, reduce the dosage.

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) supports adrenal function and the nervous system. Give your child one dose of pantothenic acid, two or three times a day, for two months.
Note: When giving your child supplements of any of the B vitamins, it is best to give a daily B-vitamin complex supplement as well.

Vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to some types of asthmatic conditions. Given in either oral or injectible form, this vitamin can help to prevent an asthma attack. Discuss this with a nutritionally oriented physician.

Herbal Treatment
Herbal treatments for asthma are directed at preventing or supporting recovery from an asthma attack, rather than treating an acute episode. In the event of an acute asthma attack, seek immediate medical care for your child. For age-appropriate dosages of herbal remedies.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous) is a Chinese herb that helps to increase what the Chinese call wei chi, or a person's own protective energy. It also helps strengthen the lungs. Give your child one dose, twice a day, for two weeks out of every month, for six months following an asthma attack.
Note: This herb should not be given if a fever or any other signs of infection are present.

Licorice root soothes the lungs and helps to strengthen adrenal function. Give your child one dose, once a day, every other month, for six months after an asthma attack.
Note: This herb should not be given to a child with high blood pressure.

Minor bupleurum formula is a Chinese herbal combination that is helpful in restoring and building the immune system. Give your child one dose daily for three months following an asthma attack. Stop for three months, then repeat.
Note: Minor bupleurum should not be given to a child with a fever or any other sign of an acute infection.

Homeopathy
Homeopathic treatments for asthma are directed at preventing or supporting recovery from an asthma attack, rather than treating an acute episode. In the event of an acute asthma attack, seek immediate medical care for your child.

If your child suffers from chronic asthma, consult a homeopath to determine an appropriate constitutional remedy.

Antimonium tartaricum is a homeopathic remedy for a child who is wheezing, with a tight feeling in her chest; there may be mucus but it is difficult to cough up. If your child's symptoms match this description, give her one dose of Antimonium tartaricum 12x, 30x, 6c, or 9c every hour until symptoms lessen. Then give her one dose, three times a day, for several days or until symptoms subside.
Note: Do not use this remedy in the presence of a fever.

Arsenicum album 30x, 200x, 9c, or 30c is for the tired, anxious, and cold-sensitive child with asthma, whose symptoms are often worse in the middle of the night or when she is lying down. Give this child one dose, three times a day, for several days or until symptoms subside.

Chamomilla 30x or 9c is helpful for children whose asthma is triggered or accompanied by anger and irritability. Give your child one dose, three times a day, for several days or until symptoms subside.

Pulsatilla 30x or 9c is for asthma that is often triggered by an upper respiratory tract infection. There is little or no mucus. This child has more difficulty breathing in a closed, stuffy room, and feels more comfortable outside. Give her one dose, three times a day, for several days or until symptoms subside.

Acupressure
You can massage the points listed below on a daily basis to help balance an asthmatic child's system. In the event of an acute asthma attack, seek immediate medical care for your child. (You can work these points as you are on your way to the hospital.) For the locations of acupressure points on a child's body, see Administering an Acupressure Treatment.

Liver 3 helps to quiet the nervous system.

Lung 7 clears the lungs.

Pericardium 6 relaxes the chest.

General Recommendations
Follow the regimen prescribed by your child's physician. Be sure you understand when and how to give the medicines he or she prescribes. Taking your child off medication without careful supervision can result in a severe asthma attack and hospitalization, and should not be attempted.

Yoga, relaxation, and deep breathing techniques are invaluable for people with asthma, including children. In addition to building physical strength and flexibility, yoga teaches steady, controlled slow deep breathing, which helps to strengthen the respiratory system. Using relaxation and visualization exercises at the beginning of an asthma attack can help calm your child and ease her breathing.

Encourage your child to get regular exercise to improve lung function. Swimming is particularly good, and the humidify helps to keep the mouth and air passages from drying out. (Make sure, however, that your child does not swim in an excessively chlorinated pool, since high levels of chlorine can produce allergic reactions in some people.) Depending on the severity and type of your child's asthma, she may need to take medication before an activity to prevent respiratory distress.

Certain food additives, especially metabisulfite, can be dangerous for the child with asthma. Sulfites are commonly found in commercially prepared foods such as dried fruits. They are also used by many restaurants to keep fruits and vegetables at salad bars looking fresh and attractive. If your child has asthma, it's best to avoid salad bars and to buy only unsulfured dried fruits. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) can also cause problems for some asthmatics, so avoid food products prepared with this additive. You should also be aware of "hidden" sources of MSG. These often show up on food labels as "hydrolyzed protein," "autolyzed yeast," "sodium caseinate," and "calcium caseinate."

Write to the National Asthma Center for information on programs that teach self-management skills and help children and their families learn to live with asthma. Their address is 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206. The National Allergy and Asthma Network is another good source of information. Their address is 3554 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Prevention
There is no known way to prevent a child from developing asthma. Obviously, however, if your child has suffered an asthmatic attack, you should keep her from coming into contact with any foods or environmental allergens that you suspect may trigger another episode.

Dosage Guidelines

Diet

Herbal Medicine

Homeopathy

Bach Flowers

Acupressure

From Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child by Janet Zand, N.D., L.Ac., Robert Rountree, MD, Rachel Walton, RN, ©1994. Published by Avery Publishing, New York. For personal use only; neither the digital nor printed copy may be copied or sold. Reproduced by permission.