Physical activity – What if my child has asthma? - BHF National ...

What can I do to help?All children and young people should try to do regularphysical activity. However, if your child’s asthma is poorlycontrolled, they should see their doctor or asthma nursebefore they start becoming more active.We can all play a vital role in supporting and encouragingchildren and young people to be more active.Be positive about your child’s condition.❤❤Don’t let asthma be an obstacle to your child beingactive. Many Olympic athletes, professional footballersand other high-level sportspeople have asthma – forexample, Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, therunner Paula Radcliffe, and the footballer Paul Scholes.Make sure your child is adequately preparedfor physical activity.❤❤Make sure your child takes their asthma medicinecorrectly and regularly. Explain to them why thisis important.❤❤Make sure your child has their reliever inhaler (usuallya blue inhaler), and their spacer if they use one, closeby them during physical activity.❤❤If your child’s asthma is triggered by physical activity(exercise-induced asthma), make sure they take theirreliever inhaler about 5 minutes before they begin theactivity. The symptoms of exercise-induced asthma maystart shortly after physical activity begins and usually getworse about 15 minutes after the physical activity hasstopped. Taking their reliever inhaler before doing theactivity can help prevent them getting these symptoms.❤❤Teach your child to stop being physically active as soonas they experience any symptoms of asthma, and totake their reliever inhaler. They can return to light activityonce they feel fully recovered. They should wait at least5 minutes. Sometimes high doses from the reliever canslightly increase the child’s heartbeat or result inmild muscle shakes, but these effects are harmlessand generally wear off after a short time.12 13