Dementia and Your Loved One
About Me
Dementia and Your Loved One

I've been a caretaker of an elderly woman with dementia for over two years. I've seen the effects of this mental affliction, and how devastating it can be to loved ones. This is why I am a firm believer in seeking a professional diagnosis, so the patient may receive necessary care and treatment. Once diagnosed at the onset of symptoms, a plan can be devised. Through social interaction and daily care, my charge has achieved a higher quality of life. If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, you can make a difference. Love will find a way.

Dementia and Your Loved One

Dealing With Your Child's Asthma Diagnosis

Vickie Armstrong

If your child has recently been diagnosed with asthma, then you want to learn all you can about dealing with this condition. There are a number of things that you should know that will help you to prevent asthma attacks and things you can do to treat small ones. You also want to recognize the signs of a serious attack and what you can do to help your child through one. Here are some of the things you should know about asthma.

Learn what can trigger an asthma attack

There are many things that can trigger an asthma attack, and these can vary depending on the person. However, there are some triggers that tend to be more common in many asthma sufferers. Some of the things that you want to do to help decrease the chances of your child having an asthma attack include:

  • Learn what animals (if any) your child is allergic to and keep them away from those animals
  • Keep your child away from secondhand smoke
  • Make sure your child doesn't consume even small amounts of food they are allergic to
  • Do not allow your child to be exposed to mold
  • Get your child their flu shot (with doctor's approval)
  • Keep your home dusted and freshly vacuumed
  • Decrease your child's exposure to smog
  • Don't allow your child to over-exert themselves
  • Don't allow your child to swim in a freshly chlorinated pool
  • Change your HVAC filters regularly
  • Keep your child away from pest infested places
  • Use dust covers on mattresses and pillows
  • Keep your child at a healthy weight

Daily life with asthma

When your child has asthma, there are things that you want to do so you know that they are prepared to deal with the possibility of an asthma attack. You will be given a prescription for an inhaler if your child has been diagnosed with asthma. You should see if you can get two inhalers at once, so you can have one with you and also have your child's school keep one in the office in case they need it during school hours. When you bring the inhaler to the office, you will also have to bring a copy of the prescription in with you for the school to keep on file, or they won't be able to administer the medication to your child.

You should also ask the doctor about the possibility of getting a machine for breathing treatments and a prescription for the medication to put in it. Many times, you can avoid a trip to the emergency room by giving your child a breathing treatment at home. 

If your child has an asthma attack and the inhaler doesn't do anything, you will have to go to the hospital with them if you don't have this machine on hand. Even if you do use the machine, if your child's breathing doesn't improve then it warrants a trip to the emergency room.

For more information, contact a medical office like North Texas Allergy.


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