#AskAboutAsthma returns for its eighth year
Did you know there are about 5,500 children and young people in Frimley who have asthma, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy all the things they love!
This time of year there is often a rise seen in asthma attacks, usually in the middle to end of September when students go back to school after their summer holidays.
We want to help everyone with asthma feel their best and live life to the fullest.
Next week (9-15 September) is Ask about Asthma Week, and this year’s theme is all about helping you and your kids enjoy life without being held back by their symptoms.
Asthma should not limit children and young people’s lives in any way and good asthma control means having no symptoms. Simple changes to care can make a big difference to how they experience their asthma.
#AskAboutAsthma promotes getting these four asks in place:
- Get an asthma action plan in place.
- Understand how to use inhalers correctly.
- Schedule an asthma review every year and after every attack.
- Consider air pollution and its impact on lung health – every asthma conversation should include indoor and outdoor air pollution.
Involving children in understanding their asthma care and what may trigger their symptoms is empowering. Knowing individual triggers can help children and young people to manage their asthma. Triggers could include:
- infections like colds and flu
- allergies – such as to pollen, dust mites, animal fur or feathers
- smoke, fumes and pollution
- medicines – particularly anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin
- emotions, including stress, or laughter
- weather – such as sudden changes in
- temperature, cold air, wind, thunderstorms, heat and humidity
- mould or damp
- exercise.
Many parents and young people find keeping a diary can be really helpful in narrowing down issues.
NHS Frimley Healthier Together is a website and app, developed in partnership between parents and healthcare professionals from across Frimley and Wexham Park. It helps parents, carers and young people find clear information on common childhood illnesses like asthma. If you’d like to learn more about helping your child live symptoms free visit Frimley Healthier Together/Asthma
Whilst on the website why not see what else it offers such as advice on 'red-flag' signs to look out for, where to seek help if required, what you should do to keep your child comfortable when unwell and how long your child's symptoms are likely to last.