Wearable Asthma Informatics – Future of Asthma Care in Children

September 5, 2019

Lisa Feierstein

Asthma, Breathe EZ, Children's Health

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asthma, asthma action plan, Asthma Triggers, informatics, new technology, planning, Technology

An incredible amount of research has gone into childhood asthma in the last few years, leading to deeper understanding of the condition and better care for children with asthma.
New technology hopes to help predict a child’s asthma attacks before they occur. A wearable asthma informatics system is under development as part of an initiative of the US National Institutes of Health.

What is PRISMS?

This new asthma monitoring system is part of the PRISMS Initiative, which stands for Pediatric Research Using Integrated Sensor Monitoring Systems. A team of researchers from University of California-Los Angeles and the University of Southern California are developing an integrated platform of wearable sensors that can gather data about the environment of children with asthma and help predict asthma attacks.

How does the Asthma Informatics Platform Work?

The platform connects a variety of sensors and equipment using bluetooth and wi-fi, compiling all the data for health professionals. The platform includes the following:

Smart Watch: acts as a hub connecting to all other devices during the day and collects bioinformatics like activity level and heart rate.
Air Quality Sensor: attached to backpack or placed nearby and measures very small particulates in the air that can make asthma worse.
Medication Sensor: receptor in inhaler that records when medicine is taken.
Spirometer: measures the volume of breath twice a day, data is automatically sent to the system.
Smartphone app: includes questionnaires to gather data from the child about their environment.

How will PRISMS help asthma care?

With the data that PRISMS collects, medical professionals can identify patterns and help families identify asthma triggers. In the future, a platform like PRISMS could send alerts when sensors detect that an asthma attack is likely.

Overall, using the data from all children in the study, researchers hope to find new trends in childhood asthma. Patterns realized from the data of the children in the study may lead to new treatments and new environmental policies to keep all children healthy.

New Technology will bring better care for children with Asthma

In the future, portable medical health devices may be commonplace, and the data collected from systems like PRISMS will help make asthma care better than ever.

Resources

Predicting Asthma Attacks in Kids – Chemical & Engineering News
PRISMS Initiative – National Institutes of Health
Got Asthma or Allergies? There’s an App for That!

Back to School Tips for Kids with Asthma

August 8, 2019

Lisa Feierstein

Asthma, Breathe EZ, Children's Health

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asthma, asthma action plan, back to school, planning

It’s that time of year again. A fun summer has come and gone and it’s time to start thinking about back to school. While stocking up on school supplies, don’t forget to prepare your child’s asthma plan for the new school year.

The American Lung Association has published a “Back to School with Asthma Checklist” for a smooth adjustment back to school for children with asthma. With careful preparation, your child can focus on enjoying their school days without worrying about their asthma.

Here are some tips for making this school year a good one:

1. Schedule a checkup before school starts

Summer is the perfect time to fit in a doctor’s appointment, since your child’s schedule may be less busy. Be sure to bring any forms required by your child’s school so that you can be prepared for meeting with the school nurse (See Tip #2 below).

Discuss how your child’s asthma treatment plan has been working in the past year. In particular, make sure your child knows how to use their inhaler and spacer properly.

Review your child’s asthma triggers, and make a plan to help your child avoid exposure at school. A summer checkup is a great time to discuss any troubles with allergies, which are common in children with asthma.

2. Get the school nurse on board

If your child is starting a new school, or has a recent asthma diagnosis, make sure that the school nurse is part of your child’s asthma team. First, make sure all necessary forms documenting your children’s medication are submitted timely so they can be processed before school starts.

With the help of your child’s doctor, write an Asthma Action Plan and share it with the school nurse. If your child’s school does not have a full time nurse, include the receptionist or other staff members in the Asthma Action Plan as well.

3. Don’t forget after school activities

If your child participates in an after-school activity, make sure your child’s coach or activity leader has access to your child’s Asthma Action Plan. It’s very important that those supervising your child know what an asthma emergency looks like and how best to help your child.

Make back to school easy with these tips

After a fun summer, transitioning back to school can be hard for many kids. If your child has asthma, keeping these tips in mind can make it easier.

Additional Resources

Back to School with Asthma Checklist – American Lung Association
Does Back to School Mean Back to Allergies?

5 Keys to a Fun and Safe Summer Camp Experience for Kids with Asthma and Allergies

February 8, 2018

Lisa Feierstein

Allergies, Asthma, Breathe EZ, Children's Health

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asthma action plan, camp, chronic medical conditions, planning, rite of passage, summer camp, Victory Junction

Summer may seem years away when you are wearing a scarf and lots of layers on a cold winter’s day. It will be here before you know it. What is your favorite memory of summer camp? Do you have happy memories of canoeing, campfires or maybe even sleeping under the stars? Summer camp is a time for all children to spend time on their own, make new friends and try out new activities.

As a parent of a child with asthma you already have many ongoing concerns about their daily environment and its impact on their lung health. Your apprehension is normal. As we have discussed in other asthma related posts, advance preparation is always the best strategy when choosing any activity for your child with asthma.

Consider both Traditional and Asthma-focused Camps

An asthma-focused camp may include educational components and have specially trained staff. Traditional camps can be okay too, especially if they are willing to make accommodations for your child’s asthma.
Not All Camps are Created Equal

Remember that some camps may be more asthma friendly than others. Consider your child’s specific triggers and allergens. Those who are very allergic to animals might be better off at a nature camp vs one centered on horseback riding. Those with high mold sensitivities might be better off at a camp with air conditioned cabins.
Review Camp Medication Administration Guidelines

Check in with camp staff in advance to find out how medication is administered. Research how they manage daily, rescue and emergency medications. Ask your questions before camp begins. Find out which medications your child can keep with them and self-administer. Ask if they can keep rescue inhalers and epi pens with them at all times.
Food Concerns – From Campfire Treats to Dining Hall Delicacies

Don’t forget about food allergies. Check out the meal and snack offerings. If your child can’t enjoy typical camp treats due to allergies see if you can send along some substitutes in advance so your child won’t feel left out.
Before, During and After

Work with your child’s healthcare provider or asthma specialist to create a before, during and after plan for camp.

Before: Are all of their medications up to date, including dosage changes related to your child’s growth since last summer.

During: Update or create an asthma action plan to include situations that might arise at camp if your child is exposed to a trigger or allergen – whether known or new.

After: At the conclusion of camp check in with the staff to ask how things went. This will help you plan for future camps. Don’t just ask about your child’s asthma. Ask your child about their favorite (and not so favorite) parts of their time at camp.

Camp Victory Junction

Children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, and others with serious illnesses that would preclude them from attending a traditional summer camp program should look into the options at Camp Victory Junction.

This summer, children ages 6 to 16, with asthma can register for Camp Victory Junction in Randleman, NC. The week of July 15-19 is designated especially for kids with heart, lung, kidney, and immunological diseases. Camp Victory Junction provides a typical camp experience within a medically-safe environment.

Additional Resources

Traveling with Asthma

The Sunshine Vitamin

Children’s Asthma Camps – Find a Camp (Nationwide search)

Participating organizations include: American Lung Association, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and the American Thoracic Society.

About Camp Victory Junction

Victory Junction enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camp experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering; all in a medically-safe environment at no cost to the camper or their family.

Located in the hills of Randleman, North Carolina, Victory Junction is spread across 84 acres, allowing children to do what they do best— be kids, play, imagine, make friends and enjoy the adventures and experiences of camp life.

Summer Camp for Everyone: Even Kids with Diabetes!

January 25, 2018

Lisa Feierstein

Children's Health, Diabetes

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chronic medical conditions, planning, rite of passage, summer camp, Victory Junction

Many of us have fond memories of summer camp like singing around campfires, roasting marshmallows, creating arts and crafts treasures and swimming in cool refreshing lakes. Perhaps we’ll try to suppress the memories of itchy mosquito bites, rain soaked clothing, and ‘interesting’ food offerings. Good or bad, summer camp is definitely a rite of passage.

Even though the New Year has just begun summer will be here before you know it. It might be time to plan how your children will be spending their summer. If you are a parent of a child with diabetes, you have more to consider than the typical parent as you choose a summer camp program for your child.

Advance Preparation Will Reduce Anxiety and Worry

It is completely normal for parents to feel anxious about dropping their child off at an overnight summer camp. As we have discussed in other posts about diabetes , the key to managing diabetes centers on planning and preparation.

Research Options: Take time to investigate camp choices based on your child’s interests. Don’t focus solely on managing their disease.
Ask for help: Determine what services or accommodations your child may need during camp.
Document Needs: Gather documentation and create a written plan of care with your child’s healthcare provider.
Communicate: Connect with camp staff and open lines of communication as soon as possible.
Network: Check in with other parents that have sent children to programs in consideration. Ask your healthcare provider for additional ideas.

The American Diabetes Association notes that any camp should be prepared to make reasonable modifications so that any child with a chronic disease, like diabetes, can take full advantage of camp programs and activities like any other child.

Camp Victory Junction

Children with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, and others with serious illnesses that would preclude them from attending a traditional summer camp program should look into the options at Camp Victory Junction.

This summer, children ages 6 to 16, with diabetes can register for Camp Victory Junction in Randleman, NC. The week of June 17-12 is designated especially for kids with diabetes. Camp Victory Junction provides a typical camp experience within a medically-safe environment.

Additional Resources:

Traveling With Diabetes

Diabetes Tips: Making Sure Its In The Bag

American Diabetes Association: Rights of Children with Diabetes in Camp

Find a Camp – Nationwide Search

About Camp Victory Junction

planning Archives - Active Healthcare