Respiratory Therapists Say Plan Now for an Asthma-Free School Year

For Immediate Release

IRVING, TX (August 4, 2005) – Getting the kids ready to head back to school is always hectic for parents, but if your child has asthma, respiratory therapists from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) suggest adding a couple of additional items to your “to-do” list.

The first order of business, says AARC member Ed Conway, RRT, clinical manager in the division of respiratory care at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in Ohio , is to schedule a doctor's visit.

“Parents should be sure their child has been seen by their doctor prior to returning to school so they'll be sure they have the right medications and also to get an Asthma Action Plan.”

Medications – both those that control the disease over the long haul and those that provide quick relief when symptoms get out of hand – can keep kids breathing easy at school. An Asthma Action Plan provides clear instructions on how to handle escalating symptoms.

With the medication list and Asthma Action Plan in hand, parents should then set up a meeting with school personnel. “Prevention is the key factor with children and asthma,” says Conway , and visiting with key adults in the child's life will ensure everyone understands how to keep asthma under control.

The school meeting is also a great place to cover the child's allergies and asthma triggers and come up with a plan to minimize exposure. “Some of the common allergens that children face at school are inhaled irritants, such as chalk dust, and strong fumes from chemistry labs, perfumes and after shaves, cleaning liquids, and art supplies such as markers and glues,” says Conway .

Some kids may have food allergies as well, and classroom pets can also be a problem. “Pets like hamsters or rabbits will have dander from their fur, and their droppings could also cause an asthma episode,” continues Conway . Even a simple fish tank can pose problems. “If a classroom has an aquarium there are chances that mold can build up if it is not cleaned frequently.”

Exercise-induced asthma can be a issue for kids too, and the registered respiratory therapist says the best strategy here is to have the child use his quick relief medication prior to going to gym class or out on the playing field.

In fact, continues Conway , kids need to have access to their asthma medications at all times, and that's another point to address with school staff. “If the child is not able to carry his medications with him at school, then they should be close by.” Quick access to medications, he continues, can keep asthma symptoms from ever progressing to a full blown asthma attack.

Following these simple steps, says Conway , will pave the way to fewer asthma symptoms during the year and less missed school for kids and work for parents.

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are specially trained and licensed respiratory health care professionals assisting physicians in diagnosis, treatment, and management of respiratory diseases. RTs provide care in hospitals, outpatient centers, physicians' offices, skilled nursing facilities, and patients' homes.

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is a not-for-profit, professional organization, consisting of 37,000 respiratory therapists, physicians, and other health care professionals. AARC is dedicated to assisting persons with respiratory diseases receive safe and effective respiratory care.

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Contact: Beth Binkley
Binkley@aarc.org
American Association For Respiratory Care
9425 N MacArthur Blvd, Suite 100 , Irving , TX 75063
972-406-4657, 927-243-2272

Back-to-school Tips for Kids with Asthma

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) says children with asthma can enjoy a symptom-free school year, provided parents touch base with the child's physician and school personnel before the year begins. Here's what parents need to do:

• Schedule a doctor's visit prior to the first day of class to go over asthma medications and acquire an Asthma Action Plan.
• Meet with the child's teacher and other school personnel that may be overseeing the child's activities during the year.
• Inform school personnel about the child's medications and come up with a plan whereby he'll either be able to carry them with him or have ready access to them at all times.
• Discuss the child's allergies and asthma triggers and how they can be minimized in the classroom and on the playground or in the gym.
• Go over the Asthma Action Plan and make sure the child's teacher and other adults who will take part in his care clearly understand the steps they need to take should asthma symptoms flare up during the school day. 

You can learn much more about childhood asthma and what can be done to ensure it doesn't interfere with your child's life on the AARC's consumer web site, www.YourLungHealth.com .