DD diagnosed with asthma. Lots of questions (and feel like crying!)

[Rainydaze]

DP took DD (2.5 years) to the docs today as she's had a cough for a few weeks. We've taken her about it already, but the doc just said it will stop of its own accord. It's really only at night, and also when she comes in from the cold. I've also had a cough and so thought that we were suffering with the same thing.

However, the doc now thinks that it's asthma. I'm shocked as DD's not wheezy, which I presumed was a standard symptom.

We have a Ventolin inhaler, which I'll give to her at night.

Please could someone tell me more about asthma? What causes it? What can be done about it? Can a child grow out of it, or is this unlikely? are there different types of asthma?

I'm going to be a lot more strict about cleaning up after the cats and dog, as I worry that their fur might be making things worse. BTW, I DO clean every day, but will just clean even more!

I know it's not the end of the world, but I'm upset that DD apparently has asthma. I don't know anything about it, but am scared to read too much online as that always leads me to imagining the worst!

Thanks to anyone who can tell me more about asthma. :)

my girls all have asthma.

with the older ones a cough is the first sign they need to up their medication. the samp weather recently has meant all have had their meds increased at some point over the winter.

asthma uk is a good site for information.

will try and get back to this thread later, as girls just home from school.

I was going to recommend the asthma UK website aswell, I have found that a really good source of information. The asthma thread on here is great aswell with lots of people experienced with asthma willing to answer questions.

DS is nearly 14 months and has been treated "as asthmatic" since 6 months and was diagnosed with asthma when he was 12 months. Getting the diagnosis was actually a relief as it meant I knew what it was and that it could easily be controlled.

It is possible for them to outgrow it, and in most cases it is only mild and as long as you keep on top of medication it won't cause any problems.

Is she only on ventolin or has she been given a preventer aswell?

Astma is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the immune system attacks the body's own cells. It means immune system is out of balance and needs to be balanced. Need to find a functional health doctor, it's big in USA.
First thing after the emergency meds is to change diet. Go off gluten, sugar and other carbs, and eat fresh veg and fruit organic prefferably. Find other foods, chemicals that trigger astma attacks, often it's pollutants in the air and you cannot avoid it outdoors, at home you might use air purifiers.
The immune system attacks foreign things in the blood stream that get there through leaky lungs (astma), leaky guts, leaky brains and so on. To read about autoimmune diseases find Dr Kharrazyans why do I still have thyroid symptoms when my blood exams are normal. Read chapter about immune system how it works and what causes it's disbalance.

Thanks all for your replies.

The Asthma UK site is very useful, isn't it?

The MN asthma support thread looks great too. Thanks Pixie for showing me the way!

Antisugar, I always make sure DD has a lot of organic fuit 'n' veg. We're vegan so she has little choice to eat her greens in abundance! I'll have a go at gluten-free and regulate her carbs intake too.

Could you recommend an air purifier? Sorry for the other question, but I've read so many mixed reviews on a variety of different machines.

Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate your advice. :)