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Asthma - FAQ
Wouldn't it be easier and simpler to give my child a tablet or syrup instead of worrying if he is inhaling the correct dosage?

With an inhaler the medication is delivered directly into the airways of the lungs. The medication is going directly to the site where it's needed.

My child has asthma. What exercise do you recommend?
Encourage your child to swim or, if you don’t have access to a pool, choose activities that require short bursts of energy. Sprinting is better than cross-country.
I’m asthmatic but I want to start exercising. Where should I start?
Consult your doctor before embarking on any exercise programme. Choose an asthma-friendly sport, start out slowly, take your time getting fit and include your friends. This will help prevent injury and will boost your enthusiasm.
What can I do to improve my exercise tolerance?
Stay active. The fitter you are, the better you’ll be able to manage your asthma. Use the recommended medication to help prevent chest tightness.
What causes asthma symptoms at night?

Neither sleep nor dreaming is responsible for nocturnal (nighttime) worsening of asthma. However, there might be several other reasons for this phenomenon:

  • Allergic triggers: If you come into contact with substances in your bedroom that cause an allergic reaction, such as cat or dog dander and dust, they may be responsible. Irritating fumes from kerosene heaters and wood-burning stoves may also cause an asthma attack. Exposure to these or other triggers from earlier in the day may also cause a delayed reaction with asthma symptoms appearing during the night.
  • Hormones: Levels of hormones in the body also change throughout the day. In people with asthma, the changing levels of hormones during the night may predispose the muscles in the lungs to contract, resulting in narrowing and inflammation of the bronchi.
  • Stomach acid reflux: If you notice a burning in your lower chest area or a bitter taste in your mouth when you awake in the morning, you may have stomach acid reflux.

What do I do once exercise-related coughing or wheezing has started?
Use a reliever bronchodilator. Sodium cromoglycate, theophyllines and inhaled steroids won’t relieve symptoms once they’ve started.
Why do I get asthma when I exercise?
In many asthmatics, particularly children, breathlessness and wheezing is brought on by exercise. It maight be the result of cold air and faster breathing. EiA usually occurs after about six to ten minutes of exercise and may interfere with the continuation of the sport. But this shouldn’t stop your child from being physically active. Asthmatic children should be encouraged to join in for their general good health, although they may need to use a bronchodilator before exercise. No one is certain why exercise sets off asthma, although experts believe asthmatics wheeze when they exercise because faster, deeper breathing dries out the airways and triggers a spasm. The cold air can also be a factor. Breathing through the nose instead of the mouth causes less wheezing. Exercising in cold, dry weather is more likely to cause wheezing, while swimming is especially good for asthmatics because the air in swimming pools is warm and damp. If you jog in early in the morning or evening and the air is cold, tie a bandana loosely around your face to cover your mouth and nose - this will warm the air and is of great help, according to some asthmatic joggers.
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