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Why is it important for your child with asthma to get the right combination of asthma medicine?

Asthma is a lifelong disease that causes wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Asthma attacks can be painful, frightening and dangerous.

How should doctors treat asthma?

If your child has asthma, medicines prescribed by a doctor can help prevent these attacks. You and the doctor should make an asthma action plan for your child that includes how to correctly use the medicines. Asthma medicines are called anti-inflammatories or controller drugs that help reduce swelling in your child’s lungs. Your child should also be prescribed reliever drugs to use when your child is having an asthma attack. Relievers help reduce wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.

The doctor should show you when and how to correctly help your child use the medicines. The health plan and your child’s doctor should also help you learn how to help your child avoid asthma triggers such as tobacco smoke, mold, pet dander, and outdoor air pollution.

Talk with your child’s doctor and health plan to find out about what other services are available. Many health plans offer additional support and resources for patients with asthma. These additional services may be educational materials (online and in print), classes or support groups, or phone counseling.