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August 29, 2006
Back-to-School Asthma not a Top Priority for Parents
It’s that time of the year again – kids all across the country are returning to school. For parents the time leading up to the first day of school can be daunting. Tasks range from purchasing new school supplies and clothes to rearranging schedules to accommodate after school activities. Also on the minds of parents are concerns about their children adjusting to a new environment, new friends and new teachers. There is a lot to take care of. For parents of children with asthma there’s even more to consider.
A recent study conducted by the American Lung Association found that 73 percent of parents of children with asthma report they are concerned about how their child’s asthma will affect their ability to participate in school, yet the majority of those parents are not taking steps recommended by the American Lung Association to better manage their child’s asthma.
In addition, studies show that emergency room visits increase in September and October among children with asthma. The back-to-school months herald the cold and virus season, when children return to close classroom quarters after having spent the summer apart from one another. Viruses are a leading asthma trigger, as well as allergens including those that peak in the fall, indoor pollutants, and outdoor air pollution, which can lead to ozone alert days in September and October in some areas of the country.1,2
There are some simple, basic steps parents can take to make sure their child’s asthma is under control and that their school is involved in managing it:
- See your child’s doctor—If your child is due for a check-up with his or her physician, make sure that happens before school begins!
- Know your child’s triggers—Be aware of what may be triggering asthma attacks, and work to keep him away from those allergens and triggers. Asthma triggers may include: exercise, smoke, pollen, dust, air pollution, animal fur, colds, flu and other respiratory infections.
- Understand your child’s asthma control—Keep track of nighttime coughing and/or waking, which may mean that asthma is not being well controlled, as well as actual asthma attacks. Work with your physician to be sure asthma is under control before school starts, which may decrease the chances of it worsening at the beginning of the year.
- Have a written Asthma Action Plan—Work with your child’s physician to complete a plan, which should include individualized information about your child’s asthma symptoms, daily medications, rescue inhaler or nebulizer treatments, any physical activity limitations or need for inhaler before strenuous activities, and specific instructions about what to do and whom to call if an asthma attack does not improve with medication. Click here to download a free Asthma Action Plan.
- Schedule flu shots—Talk to you child’s physician now about getting immunized against influenza in September or October. Preventing influenza may lessen asthma episodes and trips to the ER. Flu shots for people with asthma have been proven safe through research conducted by the American Lung Association.
Click here for more tips and resources to manage your child’s asthma as they return to school.
1 Johnston, NW et al., The September Epidemic of Asthma Hospitalization: School Children as Disease Vectors. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. March 2006. Vol. 117(3); 557-562.
2 Neidell, MJ. Air Pollution, Health and Socio-economic Status: The Effect of Outdoor Air Quality on Childhood Asthma. Journal of Health Economics. Novemeber 2004. Vol. 23(6); 1209-1236.
Posted by lungblogposter at August 29, 2006 12:47 PM
Comments
I need somebody to help me. I hd no asthma attacks for more than 5 years, and last week I had a really bad one, i had to go to the hospital and they prescribed me an inhaler. I don't want to suffer this anymore. Thanks;
Posted by: asthma guy at September 5, 2006 10:32 AM
Dear Asthma Guy,
I'm sorry you had a bad bout with asthma. Unfortunately, asthma is a chronic lung disease that never goes away, even if you feel like it's gone. But don't worry, because as long as your asthma is under control (like by using your preventive inhaler as prescribed) asthma will not control your life! You could also have been exposed to a specific trigger that day. Think about what was around you (animals, extreme heat/cold, perfume, etc.) that could have triggered an attack.
I had pretty serious asthma attacks for a long time, and no doubt it is super scary! Once I started using my meds like I was supposed to, the attacks came less frequently, and now it's been years since my last one. Exercise has helped me a lot, too.
Posted by: breatheasy at September 6, 2006 12:35 PM
I would like for parents and the community as a whole to be aware of Asthma hazzards in schools. I am a teacher in an elementary school who has severe asthma. Schools still have mold, dust, and ventalation problems. Many schools have classrooms in portable buildings(think trailer homes) that have no concrete foundation, the floor is plywood with tile on top and no drainage under the building(a big source of mold!) I have taught in storage rooms and/or offices with absolutely no ventalation.
It effects me greatly, but even more so the children I teach.
I have seen more children with Asthma inhalers than ever before. Until recently in my School system, the students weren't allowed to keep their emergency inhalers with them. They had to be treated in the office.
What can be done?
Posted by: kksmall at September 8, 2006 10:03 PM
Asthma is a SERIOUS lung disease. It should not be taken lightly. It is more than an inconvenience. An asthma attack can kill, unexpectedly and nothing can be done about it.
Anyone who has asthma or know anyone who has asthma, must educate himself/herself about this disease. It can make the difference in your quality of life or the length of your life.
Sadly, my son AJ, 16, died November 20, 2005 from an asthma attack. The paramedics couldn't help him, nor could the doctors. At this time, there is no cure for asthma.
So, take heed. Take care of your asthma. Take it by the horns, take control. Take care of your life.
Posted by: Maria at September 9, 2006 10:51 AM
I have tried to get my school for 2 years now to have a meeting to go over my son's 504 plan as it concerns his asthma before school starts. They have refused both years. I have tried to have them educate the staff about asthma in general. They have refused both years. I have tried to give them an asthma action plan for 2 yrs. They have refused to accept one for 2 years.
They have only asked me to sign a document making them liable free. This concerns me ,becuase our school has no nurse or trained staff.
My son has to have a daily asthma treatment at the school. This is given to him by a parent on the staff who has a son with asthma.
My son's asthma is very different than her son's. I feel like they are trying to put him in a one size fits all asthma treatment system.
How can I get them to get the education they have agreed to do over 2 years ago?
MK
Posted by: marik at September 11, 2006 12:56 PM
What is happening in treatment of pulmonary fibrous? I and many others with IPF would like to know the latest news. Thanks
Posted by: clarence hawkins at December 16, 2006 04:04 PM
