what are considered the safest (less side effects) of preventative asthma treatment for toddlers?
1) Avoidance of asthma triggers (sounds obvious, but often overlooked). Some triggers are unavoidable (viruses, cold air, etc), but others can be avoided (allergens). If allergies are what is causing the asthma attacks, then time to figure out what allergens and avoid them and/or get treated for them. If dust, mold, fungus, etc – get specialiazed sheets/bed covers/box spring covers for the bed and wash sheets regularly, etc. Furthermore, a daily antihistamine could be key
Example: Claritin 5mg a day
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2) Inhaled steroids (not oral steroids!). Oral steroids are OK for brief periods of time when Asthma is out of control, but NOT good for longterm use to prevent asthma (too many side effects). Inhaled steroids have very little systemic effect, and therefore hardly have any side effects. Inhaled steroids are the cornerstone of asthma treatment/prevention.
Example: Pulmicort 0.5mg a day (via a nebulizer, is recommended for toddlers)
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3) Finally, a so-called "leukotiene inhibitor" has very few (if any at all) side effects and is often very beneficial (and OK in toddlers).
Example: Singulair 4mg a day
= = =
…but talk to your doctor more about these, of course!
Posted in asthma treatment
August 9th, 2010 at 2:47 am
1) Avoidance of asthma triggers (sounds obvious, but often overlooked). Some triggers are unavoidable (viruses, cold air, etc), but others can be avoided (allergens). If allergies are what is causing the asthma attacks, then time to figure out what allergens and avoid them and/or get treated for them. If dust, mold, fungus, etc – get specialiazed sheets/bed covers/box spring covers for the bed and wash sheets regularly, etc. Furthermore, a daily antihistamine could be key
Example: Claritin 5mg a day
=
2) Inhaled steroids (not oral steroids!). Oral steroids are OK for brief periods of time when Asthma is out of control, but NOT good for longterm use to prevent asthma (too many side effects). Inhaled steroids have very little systemic effect, and therefore hardly have any side effects. Inhaled steroids are the cornerstone of asthma treatment/prevention.
Example: Pulmicort 0.5mg a day (via a nebulizer, is recommended for toddlers)
=
3) Finally, a so-called "leukotiene inhibitor" has very few (if any at all) side effects and is often very beneficial (and OK in toddlers).
Example: Singulair 4mg a day
= = =
…but talk to your doctor more about these, of course!
References :