World Report: October 20, 2006 Vol. 12 Iss. 7
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
It's Asthma Season
Spanish TranslationJeremy Wirick, 9, has been back in school for less than two months, but he has already had several asthma attacks. A recent attack happened on October 2, after he pushed himself too hard in gym class. Sprinting, power walking, jogging and push-ups took their toll. When Jeremy got home an hour or two later, he was wheezing loudly. He needed to use a nebulizer, a machine that helps send medicine quickly to the lungs, to get his breathing back to normal.
Asthma attacks like Jeremy’s increase in September and October. More than six times as many asthma sufferers who are elementary-school age need hospital treatment in the fall as in the summer.
Experts believe many factors can contribute to back-to-school asthma. “When kids get together in close spaces, they start passing viruses around. A viral infection can trigger an asthma attack,” Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, told TFK. “There are also certain fall allergies, such as molds and ragweed, that can trigger attacks.” Exercise is another common cause of an attack. For some kids, the stress of school can make asthma worse.
Understanding Asthma
Asthma is a chronic, or long-term, disease that affects a person’s airways, or breathing tubes. Humans breathe air through the nose or mouth into the windpipe. The air then travels through a network of narrow tubes to the lungs.
During an asthma attack, the breathing tubes get narrower, which makes it harder for air to travel in and out of the lungs. As the tubes swell, they may produce extra mucus, which takes up space through which the air needs to travel.
When Jeremy has an asthma attack, the feeling is unmistakable—and scary. “It feels like a ball is caught in my throat and I can’t get past that ball,” he explains.
The American Lung Association says that about 6.2 million American children suffer from asthma. That’s about one out of 12 kids. Asthma is the chronic illness that causes students to miss the most days of school. But take a deep breath. There are many things that schools can do to help students control their asthma (see “Tips for Schools”).
An Action Plan
Parents can play a big role in helping kids with asthma start the school year right. Dawne Gee’s 10-year-old son, Alexander, has had asthma since he was a baby. Before the school year starts, she notifies school workers in writing about her son’s asthma. “I make sure everyone is on the same page,” she says.
The Gees live in Kentucky, which is one of 47 states that have passed laws allowing students to carry their asthma medication with them at school. Alexander’s mom makes sure he has his inhaler with him when he goes to school and that he keeps it on hand at all times.
In Delaware, where Jeremy lives, kids are allowed to carry their inhalers at school. But Jeremy keeps all his medications in the school nurse’s office. He also tries to avoid situations that will make his asthma worse. It’s better “not to go outside when the custodian is mowing the lawn,” he advises other asthma sufferers. “And if kids are playing in leaf piles, I’d say your best bet is to stick with the swings.”
Tips for Schools
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says that schools can take these steps to create a safe environment for kids.Next: A Test in North Korea
