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 | Now that most of our children have gone back to school, viral respiratory tract infections will begin to spread. It's these viral infections that are the most common reason for asthma exacerbations. In fact, the fall and winter are the most common times of the year for children to experience asthma exacerbations, especially within a few weeks of starting back to school. What's more, many of these children with asthma may have stopped using their asthma controller therapies during the summer break, leaving their asthma less protected from getting worse as a result of getting sick. So, what can be done to reduce these asthma exacerbations? Most children should remain on their asthma controller therapy year-round, check their peak flow value and follow their asthma action plan, and make routine asthma follow-up appointment with their doctor. If you asthmatic child does get sick, get in to see their doctor right away to make sure their asthma isn't affected, especially if they've had to go to the emergency room or hospitalized in the past for asthma. Following a few important tips can keep your asthmatic child healthy during back to school time, minimize asthma exacerbations, and avoid trips to the emergency room and hospital. | |
Don't Stop Asthma Medicines During the Summer
Most people don't like taking medications, especially when they're young and otherwise healthy, as is the case for many people with asthma. So it's not surprising that many asthmatics stop taking their controller medications during the summer. After all, the weather's warm, they're less likely to get sick (viral infections such as the common cold trigger asthma), most people have less stress due to school break (stress is a common asthma trigger), and people are taking vacations and likely to forget about their daily routines (including taking their daily medications).
| How to Prevent Asthma Attacks
Every year, millions of Americans with asthma have an urgent care or emergency room visit because of an asthma attack. Most of these asthma attacks occur as a result of a respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold or influenza. For children and young adults, this most often occurs in early autumn, when viral respiratory tract infections occur shortly after school has started for the year. For older adults, asthma attacks more often occur in the early wintertime, around the holidays.
| Develop and Follow an Asthma Action Plan
An asthma action plan is a plan based on values obtained with a peak flow meter. A peak flow meter is a hand-held device that every asthmatic should have in order to measure their lung function at home. If a drop of a certain amount of lung function occurs on the peak flow meter, an asthmatic can follow certain instructions on the action plan to better manage their asthma. A person's doctor should prescribe the asthma action plan - this is not a "one size fits all" plan.
| Common Allergy Issues in Children
Issues that are unique to children, or that are commonly seen in childhood are discussed. Sections focus on food allergies, possible prevention of allergies in children, and problems that the allergic child may face in school.
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