Doctor's tips for parents with asthmatic children
Doctor's tips for parents with asthmatic children
JAKARTA (JP): A doctor told parents of asthmatic children here
Saturday that they could treat their children themselves with the
aid of a newly produced asthma information and treatment kit.
F.X. Marseno told a seminar on Convenient Living for
Asthmatic Patients that parents should consult with doctors to
learn more about the uncurable disease, and increase their skills
and confidence in caring for their children at home.
Asthma is a chronic chest complaint that makes it difficult
for sufferers to breath in some conditions. The kits include an
inhaler, a device to test the severity of the condition and
information on managing asthma.
The one-day seminar at Graha Medika Hospital, which looked at
asthma in children and adults, was attended by about 200
participants.
"Just think your of doctors as consultants only and you can be
'doctors', free of charge, for your asthmatic children," Marseno
said.
He said parents should not panic when their children suffered
a relapse at midnight, because everything they needed was in the
kits.
"Asthma is incurable but the grief can be reduced and even
eliminated with the most up-to-date equipment and better control
of triggering factors, such as influenza, heavy exercise,
respiratory viruses, allergens, smoke and cold.
He said corticosteroid was the latest asthma medicine for
eliminating inflammation.
Others such as beta-2 agonist, theophylin and anti-cholinergic
only prevent a relapse.
A variety of inhalers were introduced at the seminar. Their
action and use was explained in detail.
Parents were told of one of the latest types of inhaler, which
could be given to infants even when they were crying.
"Parents are the best people to treat their asthmatic
children. Don't trust anybody, including your maids, to give your
children medicines," he said.
Pradjnaparamita, another speaker, said parents should take
asthmatic children to a hospital or clinic for a check up once
every three months. But if the condition deteriorates they
should have their child checked more often.
Participants appeared enthusiastic about the question and
answer session, and used the opportunity to get as much
information as possible. (03)