Having an athletic child can be so exciting! Watching him or her run up and down the field or hit a home run is a great way to spend your weekends and evenings.

But what if your child suddenly starts complaining of trouble breathing, wheezing and coughing during an activity? Childhood asthma is a relatively common diagnosis, but it can still feel overwhelming.

Supporting your child’s love for sports while creating a safe balance with his or her asthma is always encouraged. Our staff at AFC Urgent Care Tyvola Road is here to help you understand how to find that balance below.

How Can I Encourage Sports If My Child Has Asthma?

The same way you encourage any of your other children without asthma! If you know that your child’s asthma is usually easily managed by an inhaler or proper rest, your child can still participate in whatever sports he or she desires. Regular exercise can actually even help reduce the severity of asthma symptoms as it can help support lung function over time.

If your child is nervous about activity after receiving an asthma diagnosis, you can encourage a lower intensity sport to start with. Try a few of these asthma-friendly options outlined below.

Asthma-Friendly Sports

• Golf
• Baseball/softball
• Biking
• Short-distance track and field events

Are Endurance Sports Dangerous for Those Who Have Asthma?

While endurance sports can sometimes be more troublesome for your child, that doesn’t mean he or she can’t participate at all! The trouble with endurance activities like cross country or soccer is the minimal to no rest time, which can be harder for your child to catch their breath.

As long as your child fully understands when to ask for breaks and to rest appropriately, any sport is totally fine! Just encourage a little extra training and support your child’s necessity to adapt to any changes and you can watch him or her take to the field or court with confidence.

Tips to Manage Asthma in Sports

• Keep an inhaler on hand at all times.
• Warm up every time and cool down slowly.
• Stay indoors or avoid activity when the pollen count is high.

If you think your child’s asthma is getting worse, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Tyvola Road!