Exercise induced asthma in kids

[Anonymous]

4 year old has always been very active but recently has started coughing after exercise classes and running around. No other signs of asthma though we do have a family history of it.

Anyone have experience with exercise induced asthma? I read that using an inhaler before exercise helps, but what about young kids who are going to the playground or taking classes frequently. Can’t imagine we give albuterol daily? We have a doctors appointment coming up and will ask. But anyone deal with this? It seems mild for now but will it get worse?

TIA

[Anonymous]

We went through this recently for a slightly older child. Coughing fits were bad enough to merit an inhaler. But they were really really bad, like cough until you can’t breathe bad. So think if this is actually a problem or just something you are noticing.

FWIW cutting back on dairy has helped but I think my kid may actually be lactose intolerant so YMMV.

[Anonymous]

The ped may prescribe a daily inhaler which is different from the Albuterol inhaler (rescue). My kid had this and it sucked. At 12 she's mostly outgrown it.

[Anonymous]

Best tip is to avoid exercise in cold weather, e.g. less than 40 degrees, though maybe even when temperatures are below 50.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Best tip is to avoid exercise in cold weather, e.g. less than 40 degrees, though maybe even when temperatures are below 50.

This.
Cold, dry air makes it worse. Breathing through a thin scarf can help, if the cold can't be avoided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Best tip is to avoid exercise in cold weather, e.g. less than 40 degrees, though maybe even when temperatures are below 50.

OP here - yes this only started happening this winter. I just feel bad not letting a 4 year old who loves going to the playground and being active do those things. The coughing usually isn’t terrible but I think he’s started to realize that exercising causes it and it’s deterring him from running around as much.

What are the downsides of being on a daily inhaler? Is it better to just have him be less active and avoid medication?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went through this recently for a slightly older child. Coughing fits were bad enough to merit an inhaler. But they were really really bad, like cough until you can’t breathe bad. So think if this is actually a problem or just something you are noticing.

FWIW cutting back on dairy has helped but I think my kid may actually be lactose intolerant so YMMV.

Why would cutting back on dairy matter? My kid drinks a lot of it and isn’t lactose intolerant (that I’m aware of…)

[Anonymous]

Get a pulse oximeter from CVS. That will tell you whether the coughing is just irritation or a sign that oxygen is being restricted. It could just be throat irritation, but you need more info to tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went through this recently for a slightly older child. Coughing fits were bad enough to merit an inhaler. But they were really really bad, like cough until you can’t breathe bad. So think if this is actually a problem or just something you are noticing.

FWIW cutting back on dairy has helped but I think my kid may actually be lactose intolerant so YMMV.

Why would cutting back on dairy matter? My kid drinks a lot of it and isn’t lactose intolerant (that I’m aware of…)

Dairy can cause phlegm, which can lead to airway congestion/ irritation and possibly trigger attacks. This isn't true for all asthmatics, but it is a factor for some.

[Anonymous]

Some people also have alllergies that aggravate it so trying something like Claritin or Zyrtec may help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We went through this recently for a slightly older child. Coughing fits were bad enough to merit an inhaler. But they were really really bad, like cough until you can’t breathe bad. So think if this is actually a problem or just something you are noticing.

FWIW cutting back on dairy has helped but I think my kid may actually be lactose intolerant so YMMV.

Why would cutting back on dairy matter? My kid drinks a lot of it and isn’t lactose intolerant (that I’m aware of…)

Dairy can cause phlegm, which can lead to airway congestion/ irritation and possibly trigger attacks. This isn't true for all asthmatics, but it is a factor for some.

+1

If I accidentally have some dairy on a cold winter day I’m screwed.