Industry News

Did you know that there’s a time of year when germs and allergens work together to make our lives miserable? It’s called Asthma Peak Week, and this week will have the greatest impact on the millions of Americans who live with asthma and allergies. While everyone with asthma needs to take extra precautions when this week arrives, children, senior citizens and those with compromised immune function are especially vulnerable.

What is Asthma Peak Week?

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, hospitalizations related to asthma rise every September, the third week of the month being the worst. Even in private practices, doctors see more cases of asthma episodes and attacks. What causes this?

It turns out that a perfect storm comes together and makes things harder for people with asthma and allergies. The start of cold and flu season coincides with kids going back to school. Not only are they exposed to respiratory illnesses, but they spread them to family members, too. At the same time, ragweed and mold counts go up, making September a brutal month for breathing.

Get Your Asthma Under Control

Make a yearly appointment with your healthcare provider every August to keep your asthma under control. Even if everything seems fine, prioritize this annual review to protect your health.

Review the dosages and types of inhalers you’re using. Are they still as effective as they used to be? Have any other products come onto the market that might be a better fit? Also, discuss any long-term control medication you’ve been prescribed and evaluate whether it’s still needed.

Stock Up on Inhalers

Those who have been prescribed a short-term “rescue inhaler” may not need it daily, but it’s important to have them on hand in case of an asthma attack. Make it a habit to check inhalers monthly. Find out how much is left in the container and whether it’s past its expiration date. This can be life-saving information!

If you have children with asthma who attend school, make sure they have spare inhalers in case one runs out or gets lost. Review school policies, speak to the staff and your child’s teacher and come up with a plan of action to keep them safe.

Read the full Forbes article here.