Table of Contents
Introduction xi
Asthma Defined 1
How Does Asthma Occur? 1
The Asthma Impact 2
Why More Asthma Cases? 5
Is There a Cure for Asthma? 7
What Is Asthma Control? 8
The Asthma Disconnect 10
Asthma in the Future 11
Raising the Asthmatic Child 14
Taking It Day by Day 14
Communicating with Your Child 15
Talking with Your Family 19
Talking with Your Health Care Provider 21
Tailoring Treatment Goals 23
Developing an Asthma Action Plan 25
Where You Live: The Indoor Environment 28
Where You Live: The Outdoor Environment 29
Asthma Signs and Symptoms 31
The Asthma Diagnosis 31
Swelling Airways 34
Wheezing 38
Cough-Variant Asthma 39
Nocturnal Asthma 40
Other Asthma-Related Conditions 43
Signs of an Attack 45
Asthma Triggers 49
Know Your Child's Triggers 49
Common Indoor Allergens 51
Animals andPets 54
Outdoor Allergens 56
Secondhand Smoke 58
Other Indoor Irritants 59
Outside Irritants 61
Other Medical Conditions 63
Medications 65
Exercise 65
Complementary and Alternative Medicine 66
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Today 66
Learning to Relax 70
The Arts Link 73
Chiropractic and Osteopathy 74
Acupuncture 75
Homeopathy 75
Food Nutrients 76
Diet Changes 78
Herbal Remedies 80
Asthma Medications 83
The Medication Challenge 83
Quick-Relief Medications 85
Oral Corticosteroids 87
Long-Term Control Medications 88
Getting What You Need from Medications 92
Side Effects and Safety Issues 94
Initial Daily Therapy 97
Take the Medications 98
Devices 101
Metered-Dose Inhalers 101
Spacers 103
Dry-Powder Inhaler 105
Nebulizers 106
Storing Concerns 109
Peak Flow Meters 109
Spirometry-and Beyond 112
Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers 114
Is It Asthma? 114
Is Asthma Forever? 118
Asthma or Another Condition? 120
Asthma Action Plan 122
Medications for Younger Children 125
Quick-Relief Medications 126
Preventive or Controller Medications 127
Controlling Symptoms 127
Explaining Asthma 130
Finding the Right Child Care 131
Communicate Honestly 131
Coordinate with Confidence 135
Eye on the Environment 138
Early Warning Signs 141
Organize the Right Medications 143
Plan Ahead 143
School-Aged Children 145
Is It Asthma? 145
A Step Each Day 148
Getting Kids Up to Speed 149
Getting the Right Asthma Action Plan 151
Asthma Diary 155
On the Go 156
When Should Your Child Stay Home? 157
Asthma and Other Medical Conditions 159
School Days 162
Classroom Challenges 162
Asthma-Friendly School? 166
Partnership for Better Care 167
Working with Teachers and School Staff 168
Understanding Your Child's Rights 172
School Environmental Triggers 175
School-Based Asthma Education Programs 179
Teenagers and the Asthma Challenge 180
Asthma and the Teenage Lifestyle 180
Parental Support 181
Get the Right Treatment Plan 183
Medications 187
Controlling Symptoms 190
College Bound 194
Teen Support 196
Finding the Right Provider 197
Forming the Team 197
Who's Right for You? 198
When Is a Specialist Needed? 202
Advance Visit Preparation 204
Communication 101 205
Follow-Up Visits 209
Insurance and Paying for Care 211
The Costs of Asthma 211
Comparing Commercial Health Plans 213
The Plan for You 214
Medicaid 216
State Children's Health Insurance Program 217
Patient Assistance Programs 218
Buying at Discount 220
On the Home Front 222
Keep Your Home Free of Allergens 222
Asthma Control in the Bedroom 225
Asthma Control Throughout the House 229
"Air" Conditioning 233
Pets and Problems 235
Other Kid-Healthy Tips 237
Products to Use (or Not) in the Home 240
Household and Portable Room Filters 240
The Right Humidity 248
Vacuum Cleaners 250
Pesticides and Pest Repellants 252
Other Cleaning Products 253
Asthma-Friendly Products 254
When You're Away 255
Visiting at a Friend's House 255
In the Good Old Summertime 257
Challenges of Flying 260
Staying in Comfort 262
Watch Out for Triggers 264
Traveling Abroad 265
Activities and Exercise 266
Other Away-from-Home Tips 266
Emergency Care and Hospitalizations 268
Hospitalization Trends 268
Knowledge Is Power 270
Missed Medications 271
Be Prepared 273
What an Emergency Looks Like 274
At the Emergency Room 275
When Hospitalization Happens 276
The Hospital Discharge 278
When Hospital Visits Increase 280
Exercise and Fitness 281
The Truth about Asthma and Exercise 281
Exercise-Induced Asthma 283
Treatment, Control, and Conditioning 286
What Exercises Work 289
Asthma and Physical Education 292
Self-Management and Record Keeping 297
Managing Change 297
Self-Management Education 298
Barriers to Self-Management 302
Getting Great Care 304
Record Keeping: Asthma Diary 306
Record Keeping: Personal Health Records 307
Web Sites for Parents of Children with Asthma 310
Glossary 314
Guidelines: Classifying Severity and Control 317
Index 323
