A Root-Cause Approach to Asthma in Kids

Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in children, but managing it isn't just about treating symptoms. At The Lanby, we believe asthma care should go beyond inhalers to understand why a child's airways are inflamed in the first place.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes the airways to become swollen and overly reactive, leading to symptoms such as:

• Wheezing
• Persistent coughing (especially at night)
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Difficulty keeping up with physical activity

While genetics play a role, environmental and lifestyle factors often determine how frequently symptoms occur and how severe they become.

Looking Beyond the Inhaler

Rather than asking only, "Which inhaler does this child need?" Our Lead Pediatrician, Dr. Gluzman starts with a different question:

Why are this child's airways inflamed in the first place?

Asthma isn't simply a lung condition, it's an inflammatory condition that shows up in the lungs. That's why pediatric care at The Lanby looks at the full picture, including:

• Birth and feeding history
• Eczema and allergies
• Digestive health
• Nutrition
• Sleep
• Home environment
• Stress and emotional well-being

Asthma often occurs alongside eczema, food allergies, seasonal allergies, chronic congestion, or gut health concerns. By identifying what's driving inflammation upstream, many children experience fewer flare-ups, rely less on rescue medication, and may even be able to safely reduce controller medications over time under medical supervision.

How Lifestyle Supports Asthma Management

Lifestyle plays a much bigger role in asthma than many families realize.

Nutrition

An anti-inflammatory diet can help support a healthier immune system. Dr. Gluzman encourages families to focus on:

• Colorful fruits and vegetables
• Omega-3-rich foods
• Fiber-rich whole foods
• Minimally processed meals

Reducing highly processed foods, excess sugar, and identifying food sensitivities when appropriate may also help lower overall inflammation.

Gut Health

Because much of the immune system lives in the gut, digestive health is an important part of asthma care. Factors like antibiotic exposure, C-section birth, and low-fiber diets can influence the gut microbiome and have been associated with higher rates of allergies and asthma.

Sleep & Environment

Quality sleep helps regulate inflammation, while untreated snoring or sleep-disordered breathing can worsen asthma symptoms.

Dr. Gluzman also works with families to reduce common household triggers such as:

• Dust mites
• Mold
• Pet dander
• Fragranced candles and air fresheners
• Harsh cleaning products

Whenever possible, removing triggers is just as important as adding treatments.

Do Children With Asthma Need Medication?

Often, yes.

Asthma medications save lives, and inhaled corticosteroids remain the safest and most effective way to control persistent asthma. Unlike oral steroids, these medications deliver a very small dose directly to the lungs and have an excellent safety record when properly monitored.

At The Lanby, we don't view medication and lifestyle changes as competing approaches, we believe they're complementary. Medication helps control active inflammation while nutrition, sleep, environmental changes, and gut health address the underlying contributors. As a child's asthma improves, treatment can be reassessed with their pediatrician.

Five Ways Parents Can Help Reduce Asthma Flare-Ups

Parents can make a meaningful impact at home by:

• Creating a low-allergen bedroom with dust-mite covers, weekly hot-water bedding washes, and a HEPA air purifier.
• Removing fragrances, plug-in air fresheners, and harsh cleaning products.
• Prioritizing anti-inflammatory meals rich in fruits, vegetables, fiber, and omega-3s.
• Encouraging quality sleep, outdoor time, and regular physical activity once asthma is well controlled.
• Following the asthma action plan and using controller medications consistently as prescribed.

Common Misconceptions About Asthma

One of the biggest misconceptions is that inhaled steroids are dangerous. In reality, inhaled corticosteroids are low-dose medications delivered directly to the airways and are far safer than repeated courses of oral steroids caused by uncontrolled asthma.

Another myth is that children are "fine" if they aren't wheezing. Asthma can also appear as nighttime coughing, coughing during exercise, or chest tightness. And while genetics influence asthma risk, lifestyle and environmental factors have a significant impact on how the condition develops and behaves.

When Should Parents Seek Medical Care?

Schedule an evaluation if your child:

• Uses a rescue inhaler more than twice a week
• Wakes frequently with coughing or wheezing
• Misses school because of asthma
• Needs oral steroids more than once a year

It's also important to seek further evaluation if symptoms don't improve with treatment or don't seem to fit a typical asthma pattern. Conditions like reflux, chronic sinus disease, vocal cord dysfunction, sleep-disordered breathing, and anxiety can all contribute to breathing symptoms.

Any episode involving severe breathing difficulty, chest retractions, inability to speak, or blue lips should be treated as a medical emergency.

Pediatric Care at The Lanby

At The Lanby, we believe children deserve more than symptom management. Through our root-cause approach, Dr. Gluzman combines conventional pediatric medicine with lifestyle medicine to uncover what's driving inflammation and create personalized Care Plans that support long-term health.

Our goal isn't just to help children breathe easier today, it's to build healthier, more resilient bodies for the future. If you're looking for a more comprehensive approach to managing your child's asthma, pediatric care at The Lanby is here to help. Book a complimentary discovery call to learn more. 

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