September survival guide for asthma sufferers
By Aislinn O'Connor
The Asthma Society of Ireland have released an asthma survival guide to help educate and keep children out of hospital this September. This September, the 8,648 children in Cork that suffer from asthma ar at risk of suffering from a potentially fatal asthma attack.
The month of September – also known as ‘September Asthma Peak’ - is one of the most dangerous times of the year for people with asthma and especially children. Hospitals see a significant spike in admission of children with asthma at this time of the year. The Asthma Society of Ireland is recommending this year that parents of children who have asthma to use the September Survival Guide to make sure that vulnerable children do not end up in hospital.
Asthma Consultant Dr Muhammed Tariq said: “Every September I see a notable increase in the number of children admitted with respiratory conditions. In the past 24 hours, one third of the children admitted to my hospital were admitted with respiratory problems caused by viral infections at this time of the year, it is very common in September. The September Asthma Peak is caused mainly by viral infections.”
As asthma attacks can be fatal and one person dies every six days from asthma, the Asthma Society of Ireland recommend the five step rule for when someone is suffering from an asthma attack:
Firstly stay calm, sit up straight and make sure not to lie down. Take slow and steady breaths. Take one puff of your blue reliever inhaler every minute and use a spacer if available. People over the age of six can take up to 10 puffs in 10 minutes, while children under the age of six may only take up to six puffs in 10 minutes. Call 112 or 999 if symptoms persist and do not improve in 10 minutes.
CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, Sarah O'Connor, said: “There are practical steps that parents can take to help reduce the chance of their child needing hospital care. Parents should refer to the Asthma Society’s September Survival Guide which can be downloaded from asthma.ie. Parents should also then follow up with the Asthma Society’s Adviceline nurses who will talk them through every step of the guide in more detail.”
The September Survival consists of things like getting the essentials right. If needed, take a look at the technique videos on asthma.ie that helps show your child how to correctly use the inhaler. Make sure the blue reliever inhaler is with your child at all times.
Make sure they take their medication everyday. Label a spare inhaler with your child's name on it and leave it in the school in case of emergencies. If it is P.E. day, then make sure your child has both a reliever and a spacer in their bag.
It is also important to never send a sick child to school.
The Asthma Society also recommending bringing your child to the GP to get their asthma reviewed in September, as well as updating the Asthma Action Plan for you child and if you do not have one, put one in place. These are available at asthma.ie.
It is also essential that you ensure your child has received the flu vaccine and to talk to the teacher and school and ensure that they are aware that your child has asthma. You should explain what the triggers are and what to do if the child has an asthma attack and also see if the school has an asthma policy in place.