Asthma Awareness Month Archives - Active Healthcare

Fun Kids Asthma Awareness Activities

Lisa Feierstein Asthma, Breathe EZ, Children's Health Leave a comment   , ,

What’s better than sharing a fun website with your kids? Here is one to help them learn more about asthma for Asthma Awareness month. The name of the website is NoAttacks.org which is sponsored by the EPA.

When you visit the website you will be drawn in by all of the bright colors and fun activities. You will see different sections that you and your child can click on to learn more about asthma attack prevention and also tips on how to come up with an asthma action plan.

asthma triggers

Kids’ Stuff

In this section you’ll find downloadable books to read and coloring books.
There are also other fun activities from crossword puzzles to seek and find that will help you and your child learn more about asthma and asthma awareness.

air quality

Media Center

In the media center, watch and sing along with The Breathe Easies. The group sings about how to stop your asthma triggers in your home.

The Breathe Easies songs are available in five different languages, English, Spanish, Lakota, Navajo, and Anishinaabe.

breathe easies


7 Asthma Myths for Asthma Awareness Month

Lisa Feierstein Asthma, Breathe EZ Leave a comment   , , , , ,

Did you know that May is Asthma Awareness month? With spring in the air it is a perfect time to test your knowledge and learn more about asthma symptoms and triggers. Check out these seven asthma myths.

Myth: All Asthma is the same

There are several types of asthma but here are the most common ones. Allergic asthma is most commonly associated with grass, mold, and dust. In cough-variant asthma the number one symptom is coughing. This commonly flairs when there is dust, cold air or a strong smell. Exercise-induced asthma is when you have a hard time catching your breath during intensive physical activity. The effects can last five to twenty minutes after working out.

Myth: People with Asthma Should Not Exercise

Physical activity is beneficial to everyone, including those with asthma. Exercise can be easier for people with asthma when it is done in places of high humidity as this helps open the airways.

Read some tips about Exercising with Asthma

Myth: Pets cause Asthma

For some people, asthma is triggered by pet allergens. The protein found in pets’ saliva, skin flakes, urine, and feces can also cause allergic reactions. Surprisingly the fur of an animal is not always an asthma trigger. Animals with fur can also be a carrier of other triggers such as dust and other allergens.

Read more about how Puppies Can Reduce A Child’s Risk for Asthma

Myth: Don’t Worry about Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke and smoke in general is not good for anyone’s health. Exposure to smoke is one of the most common asthma triggers. Smoke irritates airways and causes them to swell and narrow. Irritated airways can more easily fill with mucus making breathing more difficult.

Myth: You can Outgrow Asthma

People who have asthma when they are very young may outgrow their symptoms as their lungs develop. However, in many cases, symptoms can reoccur in adulthood following exposure to smoke or respiratory viruses.

Myth: Asthma is Contagious

Asthma is not contagious but it can run in your family. The Centers for Disease Control report that three-fifths of all asthma cases are hereditary. If one of your parents have asthma you are three to six times more likely to develop it yourself.

Myth: Asthma has a Cure

There is no cure for asthma but with the right tools and knowledge, your asthma can be managed so you can live a healthy life.

So how did you do on the quiz? See the additional links below to expand your asthma knowledge. Why not share this post with friends and family who need to learn more about this chronic disease.

Additional resources:

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – Asthma Facts and Figures
Asthma Facts and Figures

Social Media – Asthma and Allergy Awareness Campaigns
Asthma and Allergy Awareness Campaigns


Are You Asthma Aware?

Lisa Feierstein Allergies, Asthma, Breathe EZ Leave a comment   , ,

Did you know that May is Asthma Awareness Month?

Asthma Awareness MonthSpring is in the air, and as temperatures rise, an asthmatic’s symptoms reach their peak.

This is a perfect time to review some key points about asthma. With May quickly approaching, let’s have a refresher of some Frequently Asked Questions asked by asthmatics and their loved ones.

Question: Should I only take my controller medication if I’m having an attack?

Answer: No, controller medications are used to treat the underlying issue and not an attack. They do not immediately relieve symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, or chest tightness.

Question: Can I exercise and play sports even if I have asthma?

Answer: Yes, exercise is possible with asthma, but consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program or sport.

Question: Can I become addicted to my controller medication?

Answer: No, asthma medications are not considered addictive. With that said, it is important to understand them and to use them properly.

Question: Is it okay if I’m around smoke as long as I am outdoors?

Answer: No, secondhand smoke should always be avoided if you are an asthma sufferer because tobacco smoke is among the most common of asthma triggers.

Question: Does my controller medication stop working the longer I use it?

Answer: No, these medications are designed to work for the long haul and should be taken daily until your doctor suggests otherwise.

Question: Is it normal to use my rescue inhaler at least once per day?

Answer: No, this inhaler is not meant to be used every day, only in the instance of an asthma attack.

Question: Will using inhaled steroids/controller medication stunt my growth?

Answer: No, asthma drugs do not stunt growth, although one recent study did report a temporary stunt in childhood that disappears by adulthood.

To celebrate Asthma Awareness Month, the Triangle Asthma Coalition would like to make you aware of two upcoming events:

  1. 2017 Asthma Fair, May 6th, 9 AM to 12:30 PM, Raleigh, NC – Held at the Andrews Center at Wake Med and hosted by the Triangle Asthma Coalition, this educational event provides patients and their families with information about taking control of their asthma.
  2. 2017 Asthma Summit, May 24th, 8 AM to 4:15 PM, Burlington, NC – Held at St. Mark’s Church and hosted by the Asthma Alliance of North Carolina, the summit’s target audience includes nurses, respiratory therapists, registered environmental health specialists, and health educators.

For more information about the events, please visit the events page of the Triangle Asthma Coalition website.

Happy Asthma Awareness Month to all!

 


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