- Eating a balanced diet (low-fat, high-fibre, fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and the early introduction of ‘non-processed’ foods. These are raw, whole foods like eggs, meat, fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. One study found that the fatty acids found in fruits and vegetables could reduce the swelling, known as inflammation, which is linked with asthma.
- Early introduction of foods that often cause allergies, known as allergenic foods. Studies have shown that an early introduction of allergenic foods, such as nuts or wheat, could reduce the risk of allergies.
- Exposure to things often found on farms, for example milk from a cow (minimally processed) and dust extracts, especially in early life. One study found that exposure to dust from European and Amish farms in particular can help to prevent asthma.
- Early treatment to prevent allergic reactions, known as immunotherapy. This is currently unavailable before the age of 5 years in some countries. One study has suggested that immunotherapy may be effective at preventing asthma in children, but the findings were not clear and more research is needed.
Call for child-friendly care for children with lung-related conditions
During congress there was a talk from a person who had lived with asthma since they were 12 years old. They shared their perspective and hopes for future care:
- When they were a child, they wished that the asthma-related care was more child-orientated to make it more fun or interesting so that children enjoy going to appointments e.g. blowing up a balloon.
- In Germany, it is difficult to access a specialised lung health professional, so treatment generally goes through the family doctor rather than a specialist. They would have liked more training on how best to deal with asthma in everyday life.
- They also called for an increased awareness that asthma is a systemic disease which affects many aspects of everyday life.
- They found that playing musical instruments, for example, the trumpet helped to improve their air flow.
How can digital health impact the self-management of asthma for children?
In asthma, self-management of the condition is essential for effective treatment. Therefore, it is important to find ways of helping children stick to treatment schedules and use inhalers effectively. Some ideas for how digital health devices could help children include:
- Apps that give medication reminders
- Social forums where people can share their experiences of asthma
- A digital action plan to advise people living with asthma on what to do if their condition deteriorates
When children were asked about the roles of healthcare professionals and AI in making decisions related to their care, most would prefer their doctor to be assisted by AI. Find out more about the theme of digital health at this year’s Congress.
