Maintaining children’s health and wellness is a major concern for parents and healthcare providers alike, and when kids are struggling with chronic pediatric medical conditions like asthma, it can make this an ongoing issue.

However, a recent study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology discovered that there may be a more effective way to help kids who are affected by asthma.

Researchers suggested that instead of having parents do all of the talking, children should speak to allergists directly about their symptoms and how the condition – which is characterized by wheezing and difficulty breathing – affects their daily lives.

“Our research shows that physicians should ask parents and children about the effects asthma is having on the child’s daily life,” said study lead author Margaret Burks, M.D., of the pediatrics department of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

An estimated 80 children took part in the study, along with their parents. After working with the kids, all of whom were asthmatic, researchers learned that there are a few essential topics that they should bring up when speaking with a medical professional.

Children should speak with their allergists if they find that asthma has interfered with their abilities to play sports, or if symptoms get worse outside of the house, as this can be a sign that pollen, mold or another allergen is what is behind frequent asthma attacks.

If a youngster feels isolated or melancholy as a result of asthma, this can be important to bring up with a healthcare provider, as well as whether he or she has missed school due to episodes.

The impact of asthma on kids
According to the American Lung Association, an estimated 7.1 million children under the age of 18 are impacted by asthma, and factors that could trigger an episode include respiratory colds, the flu, excitement or stressful stimuli, indoor or outdoor pollutants, and a range of other elements.

In addition, the ALA reported that asthma is the third-leading cause of hospitalization among children under 15, which highlights how pervasive and problematic this condition can be.

For parents who do find a course of treatment for asthma for children, pharmacy automation can make it easy to maintain medication adherence and boost kids’ overall health.

Reaching out to a pharmacist in the area and discussing other ways of improving compliance with treatments can help parents do their best to ensure that children stay well, even when they have to cope with a long-term condition like asthma.