Article by Guest Writer: Laura Bender
Photo Source: http://kidshealth.org
Back-to-school season is always a whirlwind, but for families of children with asthma, worries about their child’s health at school often add to the stress. The Richmond area is home to more than 18,000 children with asthma. The good news is, there are actions families can take to keep their asthmatic kids safe at school, and lots of resources to help them do it.
- First, students with asthma and their families should take time to understand the disease. The American Lung Association has many courses and resources available at www.lung.org/asthma, including a fun online game called Lungtropolis, where kids can fight the “mucus mob” while learning about their asthma.
- Second, families should call or visit their child’s school nurse to find out what forms they need to fill out and how to provide medication. Virginia law allows children to carry and use their inhalers at school, so the school nurse will know what preparations parents need to make for this.
- Third, children with asthma should visit their doctor for an asthma check-up, and the doctor should complete an asthma action plan. This is a personalized worksheet that lays out the child’s asthma triggers and symptoms, lists the names and dosages of their medications, and sets a plan for what to do in the event of an asthma exacerbation. You can download an asthma action plan form from the Virginia Asthma Coalition at http://virginiaasthmacoalition.org/asthmaactionplan.html.
- Fourth, all children – especially those with asthma – should get a flu shot. Influenza is a health risk for all kids, and is especially dangerous for kids with asthma.
- And fifth, students with asthma and their families should make a habit of monitoring their local air quality. Outdoor air pollution can lead to exacerbated asthma symptoms and cause asthma attacks. On days with elevated levels of ozone (smog) or particle pollution (soot), students with asthma should consider taking it easy during recess or PE and reducing their time outside. You can download a free smartphone app to check your air each day at www.lung.org/stateoftheairapp. You can also visit EPA’s air quality website at www.airnow.gov to check local pollution levels from your computer.
In May, Richmond was named the nation’s most challenging place to live with asthma – for the third time in four years. Part of that is because of the poor local air quality, and part is due to the health care that people with asthma receive. You can help with both. To take action against air pollution, visit www.fightingforair.org or email laura.bender@lung.org. And if your child has asthma, now is the time to add these five items to your back-to-school to-do list.
About the Author
Laura Kate Anderson Bender |Coordinator, Virginia Healthy Air Coalition
American Lung Association
Serving DC, MD, NC, and VA
1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
