Kids with asthma

[Tracy Savage]

A kid on my sons soccer team had an asthma attack during a game. He sat out for 5 minutes then continued to play the whole second half. Is this safe for him? It seemed very scary to watch.

 

[Aimeedyan]

When I was a kid, I could not have done that but I would assume the parent would know their child's limitations (?). Maybe they felt confident that his inhaler did the job and he was okay?

 

[minniebeth]

I guess it would also depend of the level of the "attack". There are times my DD would need her inhaler, but a full blown attack for her usually puts her in the ER despite rescue inhalers. She had to give up soccer because of this. I'm sure his parents know where his limitations are, but still, it's just so scary, because you never know.

 

[Goofyluver]

I would venture that the attack was not a severe one. There is a difference between needing a quick puff of the inhaler, and a severe asthma attack. Sometimes...the "coughing fits" can be controlled with an inhaler dose. My DSs attacks require hospitalizations and ER visits.

 

[Aimeedyan]

You know, I thought more about this. I don't know any asthmatic (myself included) that physically could have gotten up 5 minutes after a true asthma attack and played soccer. I can't walk across the room that soon after an attack. If I have a true asthma attack, I have to move from inhaler to nebulizer (typically multiple times) before being able to take a deep breath again.

My guess is that the wrong terminology was used. This child may have been wheezing and needed to sit a minute and use his inhaler but I doubt seriously he had a true asthma attack.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Both my kids have asthma and play soccer. Their asthma is generally under control, but they do use their rescue inhaler before, during, and after any exercise. DD has had to leave games because of asthma before, and at least sat out the quarter before I could be sure that the albuterol was working. If I were that coach I'd want the kid to sit out the quarter, at least. Sometimes kids just really want to play and they downplay how they feel. I know my DD especially used to get really embarrassed that she had to use her inhaler and spacer all the time at practice and during games. But better that than the ER...

 

[Stacerita]

My guess is that the wrong terminology was used. This child may have been wheezing and needed to sit a minute and use his inhaler but I doubt seriously he had a true asthma attack.

This is what I would have guessed. And if the child did have a true attack, I'm sure he would have still been out and not returning to the game. DD would have sat out and used her inhaler for wheezing and such. But a true attack, she would have been out the remainder of the game.

 

[bballmom56]

My son can feel the constriction as soon as it is starting, so before it gets too bad, he takes his albuterol. That works for him almost instantly. He has never had an attack that he couldn't control, nor has he had to go to the hospital. Now maybe his is a milder form or doesn't progress as quickly and aggressively as others. But it would be possible for him to grab his inhaler during a time out, and not even miss a beat of playing time in a basketball game.

I think it depends on the individual as to how serious the asthma is, and you have to know how your body reacts to the triggers and the rescue inhaler.

 

[Mkrop]

DS11 has cough variant asthma and his attacks are coughing fits. He uses his rescue inhaler(XOPENEX) before games and practices, he has never had an attack during a game and he plays football, basketball and baseball. He did have an attack during football practice, the coach who I had long conversations about what DS's asthma attacks look like, ran to the medical bag, got the inhaler and DS was almost isntantly fine. He sat him out of practice and 10 minutes later he was doing drills and was fine, and believe me football drills are brutal.

DS also had a time when he did have some wheezing and was put on steriods, we asked if he needed to miss his baseball games, Dr said no, he asked that he play outfield and that they put in a pinch runner for him. DH was one of the coaches so this was no problem.

His Dr encourages excersise and sports.

Now I certainly think it depends on the asthma plan that the parents and the Drs have set forth, I am sure each person is very unique in their severity when it comes to asthma.

 

[Tracy Savage]

Thanks for the insights. It sure looked to me like the poor kid couldn't breathe. His dad-the coach- just told him to "Buck up" and put him back in the game. Not cool, in my opinion, but who am I to say. It just scared me to watch him on the ground trying to breathe.