Being a parent comes with an underlying sense of worry about your kids’ health and well-being, and doubly so if your little ones are asthmatic. This is why parents of asthmatic kids would be wise to mark their calendars for the third week of September, which is known as “Asthma Peak Week” in the US.Â
Every year during August and September, children’s hospitalization rates increase due to asthma attacks. The rise in asthma attacks can be attributed to various factors, including ragweed pollen, viral infections, indoor allergens, pollution, and the stress of starting school. Asthma peak week might sound scary, but with a focus on prevention and management during this critical period, parents can help their children stay healthy and avoid hospital visits.
Understanding Asthma Peak Week
Did you know that an estimated 20-25% of kids with asthma end up in the hospital in September? Viral infections trigger 80% of asthma attacks in children and half in adults. Asthma accounts for about 10.5 million missed school days yearly, and adults miss around 14.2 million work days yearly during allergy season. So why do asthma-related ER visits and physician consultations spike so much in September? Well, the main reason is that heading back to school increases the spread of germs, leading to more asthma flare-ups. Asthma attacks can also be set off by things like ragweed pollen during the Asthma Peak Week up until early October.
Common Asthma Triggers During Peak Week
When breathing in, air passes through the nose, windpipe, and bronchial tubes to reach tiny air sacs called alveoli, providing oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide. Normally, the airways’ muscle bands are relaxed, allowing air to flow freely. However, during an asthma episode, three main changes occur: the airway muscles tighten, the airway lining swells, and excess mucus is produced. These changes restrict airflow, making breathing challenging for people with asthma during asthma flare-ups.
Respiratory infections like the common cold are the most common trigger of asthma flare-ups in kids, but other common triggers during asthma peak week include:
- Peak ragweed time. Ragweed causes many fall allergies.
- Old school buildings may have poor air circulation, mold, or other particles that can trigger asthma.
- School buses cause more air pollution.
- Feeling stressed or worried can worsen asthma, and stress usually increases when a new school year starts.
Preparing for Asthma Peak Week
There are important steps you can take during Asthma Peak week to prevent an asthma attack for yourself and your kids. Many parents have an asthma action plan. An Asthma Action Plan is a personalized paper that tells you what to do to stop asthma from getting worse. It helps you know when to call your doctor or go to the emergency room.Â
FAQ: How can I get an asthma action plan?
If you don’t have an Asthma action plan already, make an appointment with your allergist to create one. National Allergy & ENT allergists can help you create a plan tailored to your needs and prepare for Asthma Peak Week.
Creating an Asthma-Friendly Home Environment
Ways to reduce triggers:
- Keep windows and doors closed when pollen is high, especially during Peak Week.
- Ask everyone to take off their shoes before coming inside.
- Take a shower and wash your hair before bedtime.
- Use a special filter in your AC system.
- Watch air quality reports for pollution or smoke that might cause your attacks.
Avoid other asthma triggers:
- Tobacco: Keep your home smoke and vape-free. Get help to quit smoking. If someone you know smokes, ask them to quit, too. Make sure no one smokes near you or where you spend a lot of time.
- Dust mites: Dust mites like moisture, so keep the humidity low (around 30–50%). Vacuum with a special filter regularly, and wash and dry your bedding well.
- Mold: Dry wet things properly and quickly, and consider using a dehumidifier. Fix leaks to prevent mold growth in hidden spots. Avoid strong cleaners, as they could trigger attacks.
Preparing for Asthma Peak Week:
- Have an asthma plan and take your medicines as directed.
- Get your flu shot yearly at least two weeks before flu season (September is a good time).
- Wash your hands often.
- Stay away from sick people if you can.
- Wear a mask.
- Try a nasal saline rinse.
- Work with an allergist for asthma management.
- Keep stress low.
- Get good sleep, eat well, and drink lots of water.
- Consider a pneumococcal shot, especially for kids under five and those with asthma, on high-dose oral corticosteroids.
- Regularly see a healthcare provider to help manage your asthma and triggers.
- Stock up on medications such as Ventolin, Advair, and Qvar.
- Develop a personalized asthma action plan.
- Identify and avoid known triggers.
Managing Asthma Attacks During Peak Week
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, something will trigger an asthma attack, especially during peak week. If this happens, the best thing you can do is to recognize the signs of an asthma attack, take the appropriate steps to manage it, and know when to seek medical assistance.Â
Asthma attacks can be measured on a scale from mild to severe:Â
- Mild: No shortness of breath when resting. Experiences mild shortness of breath while walking but can speak normally in full sentences and lay down flat without wheezing.
- Moderate: Shortness of breath even at rest. Speaks in short phrases, prefers sitting over lying down flat. Audible wheezing is present.
- Severe: Experiences severe shortness of breath at rest. Communication is limited to single words due to breathing difficulty. Loud wheezing may be present.
FAQ: What are the main signs of an asthma attack?
Signs of an asthma attack include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Wheezing is characterized by a high-pitched whistling or purring noise, most noticeable during exhalation in children.
When To Seek Medical Intervention
There are certain circumstances where your child might need help outside of their asthma peak week plan. Some asthma attacks can lead to a medical emergency, and some may require a trip to the doctor’s office. Here is when to do what:
Call 911 for your child:
- If they suddenly start wheezing after a bee sting, taking medication, or consuming an allergenic food.
- Experience severe difficulty breathing (struggling to take each breath, having trouble speaking or crying)
- If they faint/pass out (lose consciousness)
- If their lips or face appear blue when not coughing.
- If you believe your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
Call a Doctor or Seek Immediate Medical Advice for Your Child:
- If lips or face turn blue while coughing.
- If peak expiratory flow rate PEFR is 50-80% of the normal rate after using a nebulizer or inhaler (Yellow Zone).
- If wheezing persists 20 minutes after using a nebulizer or inhaler.
- If breathing is significantly faster than usual.
- If continuous coughing doesn’t improve after using a nebulizer or inhaler.
- If experiencing severe chest pain.
- If asthma medication (neb or inhaler) is needed more frequently than every 4 hours.
- If a fever exceeds 104°F (40°C).
- If your child appears or behaves very unwell.
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- If mild wheezing persists for more than 24 hours despite nebulizer or inhaler treatments
- If you experience sinus pain (not just congestion)
- If a fever lasts more than three days
- If a fever reoccurs after being absent for more than 24 hours
- If you feel your child should have a consultation, but the issue is not urgent
Bonus Health and Wellness Focus
Healthy Eating for Asthma
As a parent of a child with asthma, it’s important to know how diet can help manage their symptoms. While no specific diet can cure asthma, certain eating habits can make a difference.Â
Encourage your child to maintain a healthy weight, as being overweight can worsen their asthma. Help them enjoy lots of fruits and vegetables, which provide antioxidants that may reduce lung inflammation. Be cautious of foods that trigger allergies, as they can lead to asthma symptoms. Ensure your child gets enough vitamin D from foods like milk, eggs, and fish or by spending time outdoors. Also, try to avoid sulfites found in items like dried fruits, as they can trigger asthma in some kids.
Exercise and Asthma
Exercising daily can help your child’s lungs work better by increasing the amount of oxygen their body can use. When they’re active, their heart pumps blood to their lungs more efficiently, spreading oxygen all around their bodies. Swimming is a great choice as the moist air by the pool can soothe lung irritation. If your child has exercise-induced asthma (EIA), make sure they take their prescribed medication 15–30 minutes before they start moving, warm up to avoid tightness in the chest, and do 5–10 minutes of light activities like walking and stretches.
Stress Management for Asthma
Intense feelings and worry can make asthma worse. Some studies suggest there is a connection between asthma and feeling anxious or sad. Kids with asthma might benefit from doing special breathing exercises. These exercises can improve asthma symptoms and lower the chance of an asthma attack.
Blow a Bubble:
Teach your child to pretend to blow a bubble through a wand, mimicking deep breathing. Encourage them to take short breaks between blowing bubbles to avoid feeling out of breath.
Smell the Roses:
Have your kid picture breathing in the smell of their favorite flower to take deep, slow breaths. Keep doing this until their breathing is steady, making sure they breathe in all the way.
Sleep and Asthma
To help kids with asthma sleep better, it’s vital to stick to a regular sleep routine and keep their sleep area clean. Research shows a link between poor asthma control and sleep problems, so ensuring they get enough good-quality sleep is crucial. Simple tips can make a big difference: wash bedding often to reduce dust mites, avoid strong scents in the home and bedroom, keep windows closed to keep out pollen, and maintain a comfy room temperature. Also, make sure they have their rescue inhaler nearby for quick relief when needed.
FAQ: Can asthma be cured naturally?
Asthma cannot be cured, though some kids grow out of it. It is best to avoid any promises of a “cure” for asthma, whether natural or not. Some natural treatments might help manage asthma symptoms or prevent attacks, such as those listed in this article’s health and wellness section for asthma.Â