Asthma Health Center

Kids' Asthma Out of Control

Asthma Control Key: Frequent Evaluation

Controlling a child's asthma, Halterman and Kobrynski stress, is not a simple matter. It requires collaboration between parents, the child, and the child's doctors.

The first step is reporting the child's symptoms to a doctor. The doctor then develops an individualized asthma-control plan, which often includes daily use of an inhaler and may require oral medications, too. Daily use of these drugs is essential. But taking medicine isn't the end of the job.

Avoiding asthma triggers is an essential component of asthma control. And asthma triggers are tricky -- new ones can pop up, and old ones may or may not go away.

"Asthma is not a static disease -- it changes over time," Kobrynski says. "Kids may develop new triggers, and their asthma may change -- it may become more severe. At least two or three times a year, they need re-evaluation to see if their treatment plan is adequate."