How Can My Child Contend With The Stigma Associated With Having Asthma?

— -- Question: How can my child contend with the stigma associated with having asthma?

Answer: Asthma is a fairly common disorder affecting about six percent of children and up to 20 percent of children in some urban communities. Your child may be surprised to know that many other children in their class have asthma.

It is important for children to know that asthma should not prevent them from participating in sports or social activities. There are numerous professional athletes and Olympians with asthma.

The best thing you can do to keep your child from feeling different or singled out because of asthma is keep their asthma controlled by giving them their preventive asthma medication on a regular basis and taking them to their healthcare provider for regular checkups. Notify your healthcare provider if your child is unable to exercise regularly or is having symptoms more than twice a week or requiring rescue medication such as albuterol more than twice a week or missing school due to asthma.

If at all possible, asthma rescue medication should be kept in the health suite of the school so your child can use her medication in private and under observation of health suite personnel. The bottom line is, asthma should not keep your child from doing anything.

Next: What Happens If We Treat Our Child's Symptoms Only When Needed?

Previous: What Do I Need To Do To Keep My Child's Asthma Under Control At School?