Our staff have put forth unprecedented effort for patients and each other during this pandemic and are very much appreciated. I wanted to take a moment to recognize certain ones that have stood out to me in a positive light.

Tiffany S. has been invaluable. She has been quick to resolve the issues I’ve run into with telehealth visits and has been professional throughout our interactions. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this without her assistance.

Melissa T. has been quick to help me with Nextgen issues as they arise. While I haven’t worked with her quite as directly during the pandemic, I wanted to mention her for all the hard work she does for our organization.

Megan F. has worked so hard at getting telehealth visits scheduled, making sure patients understand how to connect to it and communicating with me. There have been several instances where we had issues getting patients connected. Megan was quick to resolve those issues and while still maintaining a positive attitude.

Heat-related illnesses affect people of all ages and can come on suddenly. That’s why at Family Health Care, we want everyone to know how to take care of their bodies when temperatures climb. The more you know about staying cool in the heat, the more protected you’ll be from heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Are you concerned that your child may have asthma? Treating asthma symptoms as early as possible is important to help your child breathe better. Many parents are concerned about their children and visit Family Health Care to get answers. It’s important for parents to be aware of the early signs and symptoms of childhood asthma because this is a condition that has the potential to be life-threatening. The bright side is that this condition is treatable  and the right medications are administered. If you believe your child might have asthma, continue reading to learn more about the earliest warning signs.

Common Asthma Symptoms

The symptoms of this respiratory disease vary from person to person. Some children experience severe symptoms that interfere with their ability to play and participate in sports or other strenuous activities. Other children have milder symptoms and may not have many serious incidents. The symptoms listed below can vary in intensity from child to child:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest pain or tightening
• Coughing, especially at night

Early Warning Signs of an Asthma Attack

While it’s important to get your child seen by a primary care provider, it’s just as important to know how to spot the signs of an asthma attack if your child is diagnosed as asthmatic. Parents who spot the early warning signs can help their child better through the episode and provide the necessary support to help them manage the symptoms and not feel frightened . When you can’t breathe, it’s scary, especially for young children.

If your child has been diagnosed with asthma

stay alert for the following signs that an asthma attack may be imminent:

• Feeling tired or weak following exercise
• Trouble sleeping
• Increased coughing and wheezing
• Shortness of breath or losing breath easily
• Exhibiting symptoms of an upper respiratory illness such as having a headache, sneezing, feeling congested or having a sore throat

These are general signs of an asthma attack and the subsequent episode could be minor or quite severe. As asthma symptoms worsen, your child may have trouble performing routine daily activities like walking up stairs or walking to the car without feeling out of breath. If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, consult with  your primary care provider  as soon as possible:

• A cough that refuses to go away
• Increased wheezing
• Increased shortness of breath
• Increased coughing
• Quick-relief medications such as your child’s rescue  inhaler that  doesn’t  relieve the symptoms

When asthma symptoms continue to worsen, it’s not unusual for children to feel anxious, find it difficult to talk, and have a pale, sweaty face.

Work Closely with Your Child’s Primary Care Provider

Childhood asthma is a serious condition, but it’s treatable. In fact, when parents work closely with their child’s primary care provider  to develop a plan, it makes it easier to anticipate and handle a serious asthma attack when it happens.

Do you have a child whom you think has the early signs and symptoms of asthma? Contact Family Health Care for affordable family health care.