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 | 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 summertime. After all, the weather's warm, they're less likely to get sick (which triggers asthma), most people have less stress (school's out), and have more control over their activities (they're less likely to experience exercise-induced asthma). What is surprising to me is how many doctors support taking the summer off from asthma medications. There are many reasons why stopping asthma medications during the summer is a bad idea. First, it's rare to have the underlying problem of asthma -- inflammation of the lungs -- go away during the summertime. This means that stopping asthma medicines during the summer leaves inflammation untreated, which could lead to complications from asthma (such as emergency room visits and hospitalizations). Second, asthma attacks during the summer are still very possible, especially with a variety of asthma triggers around during this time of year (grass pollen, barbeque smoke, and lots of outdoor activities). Lastly, and probably most important, is that one of the most common times of the year for asthma attacks for kids is within the first few weeks of starting back at school -- as a result of exposure to cold and flu viruses. | |
Is Your Asthma Controlled?
Many people overestimate the amount of control they have over their asthma. This is often because people get used to feeling a certain way as a result of asthma; they think that having asthma symptoms is normal. Since uncontrolled asthma can lead to loss of lung function, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and even death, it is important for people to realize when their asthma is not controlled.
| Develop 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.
| Attend an Asthma Education Class This Summer!
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children, and uncontrolled asthma can result in urgent doctor visits, emergency room (ER) visits and hospitalizations. Often, the basics of asthma care are not well understood by children and their caregivers, which may lead to further problems with asthma.
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