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The September Asthma Epidemic, not just our imagination.
Submitted by the Children's Asthma Education Centre
Ah, September, back to school. The return to school brings many new exciting things, new shoes, new backpacks, new classroom, new friends. But every September, in Canada and in other countries all over the world, one problem recurs, worsening asthma. Many people know that asthma often seems worse in the fall. Some families can almost predict when their next trip to the doctor might be. They are not alone. Recent research has helped us predict when hospitals can expect an increase in doctor and emergency room visits because of asthma and what age the children are likely to be.
Two Canadian researchers have looked at the trends in emergency room visits and hospital admissions for asthma in several countries over 14 years. They found that in every country studied, asthma admissions were most frequent for school age children 18 days after the first day of school. Asthma admissions peaked 2 days later for pre-school children, and 6 days later for adults. School age children, particularly those 6 to 7 years old, seemed to get sick the earliest and be the most seriously ill.
The most important and most common cause of worsening asthma in both groups was getting a "cold". Children with asthma who did not need a hospital visit were more likely to use their controller medicine on a regular basis, even during the summer. The return to school occurs with an increase in allergens in the air, such as mold or weed pollen. However, it is being with other children and catching a cold that puts children with asthma most at risk. School age children get sick first, especially those starting school full time for the first year. Those children then pass their colds along to their younger brothers and sisters.
Children often have better asthma control in the summer and often stop using their controller medicine. This leaves them more likely to have their asthma worsen when they catch the viruses that are common by the third week of school. Children who use their controller medicine throughout the summer are less likely to have a severe asthma attack in September.
So what can you do to protect your child from a serious asthma attack in September?
The best thing you can do is to be sure your child's asthma is well controlled throughout the summer and especially once school starts. To help prevent colds, teach your children to wash their hands frequently and to cover up a cough. Use the controller medicine as prescribed and look out for early warning signs of worsening asthma. Follow your Asthma Action Plan and respond quickly to early signs of worsening asthma. If you do not have an Asthma Action Plan, see your doctor to discuss what to do if asthma worsens.
Learning more asthma will help you manage it. The Children's Asthma Education Centre in Winnipeg offers the Family Asthma Program. Families who have graduated from the Family Asthma Program have fewer emergency room visits and hospital admissions for asthma. These small group classes are held at the Children's Asthma Education Centre at 685 William Avenue. Classes are free, interactive and are taught by a Certified Asthma Educator with the use of Smart Board technology. Phone to register 787-2551 or e-mail them for more information.
Classes at the Children's Asthma Education Centre
For parents of children under age 3 years:
Mondays October 18 & 25 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Parents Only)
Wednesdays November 17 & 24 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Parents Only)
Preschool Classes
For parents with children age 3 to 6 years old
Wednesdays, September 29, October 6 & 13 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Parents Only)
Tuesdays, October 12, 19 & 26 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Parents Only)
School Age Classes
For school age children age 7 to 11 years old
Thursdays September 30, October 7 & 14 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Parents & Children)
Wednesdays October 20, 27 & November 3 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Parents & Children)
Teen Classes
For Teens with asthma age 12 to 17 years old
Tuesdays, November 2, 9 & 16 from 5:30-7:30p.m. Free Pizza provided.
If you can't attend the classes but would like to speak with a Certified Asthma Educator phone 787-2551 or e-mail them. For more information on asthma check out our websites www.asthma-education.com and www.teen-asthma.com
The Child Study
Concerned About the Environment and Your Baby's Health?
In recent years there has been growing concerns about the effects of the environment on our children's health. Since infants spend most of their time indoors there is an intense interest on the impact of indoor air pollution may be having on the health of our children. Our indoor environment has become a public health concern. This environment not only includes the air we breathe but also the food we eat and the stress we encounter. Researchers want to learn more about how this environment affects our children's development, especially as it relates to increasing risks of developing allergic diseases including asthma, food and pet allergies, eczema (an allergic condition involving skin irritation) and allergic rhinitis (often called "hayfever"). Research has made us aware that there may be seen and unseen environmental contaminants in our children's living spaces that may affect their risk of developing these types of conditions.
The Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development Study or C.H.I.L.D. study is a national children's health study that will involve 5000 families across Canada. This important study is inviting pregnant women to join and be followed by the study team over 5 years; questionnaires, blood tests, skin tests and a home visit will involved. The time commitment of the study is about 16 hours over the five years. This is a nonprofit study funded by Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the Allergy, Genes and Environment Networks of Centres of Excellence (AllerGen), Manitoba Institute of Child Health. Dr. Allan Becker is the investigator for this University of Manitoba project. In Winnipeg, the study centre is at the Manitoba Institute of Child Health. To learn more about the study, please visit our website or phone us at 789-3706.
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