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(HealthNewsDigest.com)-For most children, returning to school means returning to an environment filled with new friends, teachers and opportunities. However, for the nearly one out of 10 children affected by asthma in the U.S.,1 a new school year means exposure to triggers that may aggravate asthma symptoms.
Studies show that asthma attacks increase in the back-to-school months and that asthma emergency room and hospitalization rates spike in September.2 Asthma is one of the most common causes of school absenteeism due to illness and accounts for almost 13 million missed school days each year among children ages 5 to 17 who reported at least one asthma attack in the previous year.3,4
“In my practice, I see an increase in pediatric asthma patients this time of year as children return to school and become exposed to a new environment with new allergens or irritants that can aggravate their symptoms,” said Dr. Kevin Murphy, board-certified pediatric pulmonologist at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Neb.
Fortunately, there are ways parents can help manage their child’s asthma with the start of a new school year.
Understanding Asthma In School
Asthma symptoms, which include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, can occur at any time, so it is important for parents to work closely with their child’s doctor to identify asthma triggers that can exacerbate a child’s asthma during school. For example, classrooms may contain indoor allergens such as chalk dust, mold and dust mites, and recess time can result in breathing difficulties from exposure to outdoor allergens and changes in the weather.3
Upon identifying asthma triggers, parents should talk with their child’s doctor about appropriate ways to manage their condition.
“When my daughter Danielle heads back to school, she often experiences difficulty breathing in the classroom and on the playground,” said Julie Driggers of Omaha, Neb. “While a quick-relief inhaler helps bring her some relief during an asthma attack, I make it a point to set up an appointment with Danielle’s doctor before school starts to review her asthma treatment plan and discuss any changes or new options.”
In addition to a quick-relief inhaler, which treats wheezing and shortness of breath at the first sign of symptoms, children may require use of a long-term maintenance medication to help prevent or reduce the airway inflammation that can lead to asthma symptoms.5
More About Long-Term Maintenance Medications
According to accepted asthma guidelines, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the preferred foundation therapy for initiating long-term control in children with persistent asthma.5 ASMANEX® TWISTHALER® (mometasone furoate inhalation powder), for example, is an ICS inhaler approved for the maintenance treatment of asthma in patients four years of age and older. ASMANEX is not indicated for the relief of sudden asthma symptoms or in children less than four years of age and has not been demonstrated to be effective in treating asthma symptoms caused by specific asthma triggers.
“An inhaled corticosteroid, like ASMANEX, is a useful option to help parents establish a regular routine for their children when taking asthma medication,” said Dr. Murphy. “Important is that parents should work with their child’s doctor to determine a treatment plan that’s right for their child,” he adds.
Tips For Managing Asthma6
Beyond medications, parents should consider additional ways to help manage their child’s asthma in the school setting, such as:
• Work with your child’s doctor to develop an asthma action plan that outlines the child’s asthma history and includes information about current medications.
• Provide school staff with the asthma action plan and emergency contact information.
• Talk to your child about what triggers asthma symptoms and make sure your child knows where his/her rescue inhaler for the treatment of sudden asthma symptoms is at all times.
• Learn the asthma policies and asthma emergency procedures in place at your child’s school.
• Find out how often and when a school nurse is on-site.
For more information, visit www.AsthmaSchoolTips.com.
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