This week started off on a rather sad note. My daughter got an asthma attack at 1am.We tried all home remedies but all in vain. In a moment of fear and panic, I found myself googling any kind of immediate help we can use for chest congestion as we were getting ready for hospital. Funny thing is it was not a first time incident but the confusion and panic that came along with it, that was surely a first time.
I found myself pleading with God on behalf of all parents raising asthmatic children. You all have a special kind of strength I tell you. Today I want to share a few remedies and lifestyles that should be inherited for an asthmatic child. My son always says I treat Jessica (my asthmatic daughter) in a more special way. It makes me guilty somewhat but with time he will need to understand that such children will forever be different from the rest. I may not punish Jessica for poor performance in school but if i found her without a sweater or scarf on a cold day, I would really punish her. Why? Because only God knows what we go through when she gets an attack that could have been avoided. These are some of the few remedies that I have used to help calm the situation.
My remedies
*Stop the child from whatever they are doing and sit them upright. Bending over or lying down can constrict their breathing even more.
Encourage them to take long, deep breaths. This will help to slow down their breathing and prevent hyperventilation (overbreathing). Ask the child to breathe in through the nose and breathe out through the mouth. This should be done with ease as they do not want to exert more pressure on your chest.
*Make them a cup of coffee, as coffee can help to open up the airways slightly, providing some relief for an hour or two. For a child a glass of warm water is no harm before you seek emergency medical help. If the wheezing, coughing and breathing difficulty does not subside after a period of rest, seek immediate medical attention.
*Move the child away from the trigger. The asthma attack could be triggered by dust, cigarette smoke or the smell of chemicals. Getting away from the trigger as soon as possible and going to any place with clean air might offer instant relief.
*Also remember that the food you give your asthmatic child matters. Some of the foods you can add to an asthmatic’s diet are; Vitamin D-rich foods, such as milk and eggs as well as vegetables such as carrots and magnesium-rich foods like spinach and pumpkin seeds.
And like I have always said, while you are struggling with your child, seek God’s counsel and strength that you may journey with your child into healing. Yes, some people do heal at a later age. I say this as an encouragement to parents in a similar situation to mine. It’s not an easy road to trek but you can’t give up on your little one while they are fighting for breath. Speak life into their situation and watch God’s hand move in both your lives. Blessings!