- Breathlessness and wheezing incite a fear of suffocation and death, even in very small children.
- This anxiety produces further constriction on the muscles surrounding the airways, which makes breathing even more difficult.
Caregivers must first focus on reducing their own anxiety, which can heighten a child's own fears. The next step is to help the child relax. One method for this is as follows:
- The child sits comfortably, bending slight forward with the eyes closed.
- The hands are placed gently over the navel.
- The child is then told to pretend the stomach is a balloon.
- The "balloon" must be "blown up" by inhalation, not exhalation. The child can tell if this working because the hands will move slightly apart.
- When the child breathes out, the "balloon" will be made flat.
This exercise both relaxes the child and discourages shallow, oxygen-poor breathing. Massaging the child in gentle circles on the chest is relaxing and may also loosen mucus.
Other recommendations include:
- A child may find relief by lying stomach-down on several pillows so that the head is slightly lower than the chest while the caregiver gently pats the back between the shoulder blades.
- Warm liquids, such as soup or hot cider, are effective in loosening mucus and may also relax bronchial muscles. Cold fluids, like cold air, should be avoided.
- Overhydration (too much liquid) can be harmful, however, so these drinks should not be forced on the child.
- Warm, moist air from vaporizers can greatly ease and moderate asthma attacks.
Visits by home health care nurses or social workers may help if the family is having trouble managing the asthma and following prescribed treatments. Often, having the home evaluated for triggers can be very helpful.
Review Date: 05/03/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical
School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
