Changes for kids in new asthma guidelines

Changes for kids in new asthma guidelines. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has introduced separate asthma management guidelines for children aged 5 to 11 years. Previously, this age group had been combined with adults in terms of asthma treatment and management recommendations. The change reflects new evidence that these youths may respond differently than adults to asthma medications. The NHLBI created the addition as part of its newly issued national asthma guidelines for healthcare providers—the first complete update in 10 years. The guidelines focus on the diagnosis and management of asthma. The updated recommendations also emphasize the importance of teaching self-care skills to people with asthma and urge the use of written asthma action plans to help them understand their daily treatments and recognize and handle worsening asthma. Advice on reducing exposure to environmental asthma triggers and relieving asthma by treating sinusitis, acid reflux, and other health problems is also included.