Innovations in Asthma Medications for Children

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways in the lungs which carry air in and out as you breathe. If your child has asthma, the airways can become inflamed and narrowed at times. This makes it harder for air to flow out of them. Learn how to manage your child's asthma in Raleigh, NC, with help from the experienced White Oak Pediatrics team.

Common causes of asthma include a history of asthma in the family, exposure to allergens, obesity, or exposure to smoke and other pollutants.

Asthma Treatment in Raleigh, NC

There are a variety of treatments used to manage asthma and reduce attacks, including:

• Inhaled corticosteroids
• Combination inhaled medicines
• Biologics
• Corticosteroids

Alongside the traditional treatment options, developing technology has brought about advancements in asthma care. DOT stands for direct observed therapy. This therapy includes an evaluation of how the patient administers their medication. This was an expensive treatment option in the past. Technology has made DOT more accessible and affordable.

Patients can record short, time-stamped video clips of themselves taking each dose of their prescribed inhalers. The videos are sent to the doctor so they can observe the treatment and confirm that the medication is being used properly. This allows them to provide the patient with feedback.

Another treatment that has benefitted from tech advancements is spirometry which is a test to determine airway obstructions. When this test is performed at home in an unsupervised setting, it shows inaccurate findings, particularly for children. Virtual, supervised measurement of pulmonary function at home is now possible and shows reliable results. Spirometry can be virtually supervised using a cell phone or tablet.

Contact Us Today

If your child is showing asthma symptoms reach out to our team. White Oak Pediatrics can help your child manage asthma in Raleigh, NC. Call us at (919) 787-0266 to learn more about how we can help your child.