Summer will be here before you know it. For many families in and around Loganville, Georgia, now’s the time for making summer travel plans. If you have a child with asthma and one or more trips are in your future, taking some time to plan ahead can help you and your family focus on your travel experience without worrying about what might happen if an asthma attack develops.
The team at Hubbard Pediatric Group, LLC, led by Holly Hubbard, MD, is happy to share guidance on preparing for summer travel. We hope you enjoy your trip(s), and we look forward to welcoming your family back to our office for your next visit!
An asthma action plan is a written document that summarizes your child’s asthma history. It’s intended to serve as a “one-stop” resource that outlines all the relevant information about your child’s health needs and asthma treatment.
An asthma action plan is a great resource for people who will be caring for or spending time with your child, but are unaware of the specifics of the child’s health needs. Having this information presented in a clear, easy-to-understand format helps ease caregivers’ minds and gives parents significant peace of mind.
Many online resources can help you create a personalized asthma action plan for your child. Some great options are available through the American Lung Association.
Your child’s asthma action plan will begin with his or her name, date of birth, the date the plan was most recently updated, and all emergency contact information.
Here are some other topics that are covered in an asthma action plan:
Most asthma action plans are organized into green, yellow, and red “zones.” The green zone contains information on what to expect on days when your child is feeling good and not experiencing symptoms.
The yellow zone covers what to do if symptoms develop. This includes a list of what medicines could be helpful, when to administer them, and in what dosage. The red zone outlines what to do if symptoms are severe, quickly worsening, or preventing normal breathing.
Once you create your child’s initial asthma action plan, you’ll need to update that document from time to time. The information it contains should be up to date and as valuable as possible.
Getting ready for summer travel is a great time to update your child’s asthma action plan. Be sure to double-check the medication information and check that you have enough medication on hand to cover the time you’ll be away from home.
It can be helpful to print several copies of the asthma action plan to give them to anyone who will be responsible for your child’s care while you’re away. This includes family members, sitters, camp counselors, and the parents of your child’s friends.
If you want assistance in creating or updating your child’s asthma action plan, we are here to help. Dr. Hubbard can meet with you to review your child’s current asthma treatment plan and check that their medications are delivering the intended benefits.
You can schedule a visit with a quick phone call, but we also offer online booking as a fast and convenient option. The team at Hubbard Pediatric Group welcomes you to reach out to our office as you get ready for this summer’s travel plans.
