My Life as an Asthma Mom

I just saw a story scrolling across the bottom of the TV screen while I watched Good Morning America on December 28th. It said that asthma rates are going down, after years of going up. I can't find the story on Good Morning America, but found a LOT of other stories from many TV stations. The article was first published by AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner in a medical journal Pediatrics   But I can't find it there either. Sigh. This is the best article I found on KSL TV (I like the awesome chart!)  The article says that asthma rates were going up for years and years and now are going down. Researchers (I love smart people!) are trying to figure out why the rates would increase for so many years and then finally start to decrease. The article from the AP website says that: "Childhood asthma rates doubled from 1980 to 1995, partly because of more awareness and diagnosis." Have you ever gone to the doctor with a sick kid and had them tell ...

Christmas is almost here and like many families, we will be traveling for the holidays. I have learned to be prepared......just in case. I have learned to find: Where did I put my Out of State insurance card? Where is the nearest after hours clinic? Where is the nearest emergency room?   I have learned to pack EVERYTHING.....just in case. I pack:   Maintenance medication (Dulera, Advair, etc.) Rescue inhaler (ProAir - Albuterol) Nebulizer Tubing kit Albuterol vials Oximiter     If you are staying home for the holidays, it also helps to know: Phone number of the pediatrician How their after-hours works (we have a network of doctors who each take a night being the after-hours doctor. We call our regular pediatrician, and they have a phone recording to let us know which doctor is available after hours and where his office is located. We then call there to make an appointment.) 24 hour pharmacy (in our city there ...

It's that time of year when many of us will be traveling to visit family during the holidays.  The family stay with has a dog. Another family member INSISTS that there are certain dogs that are hypo allergenic  She says there is NO WAY we can be allergic to her dog. Well, sorry, but we are. See those watery eyes and hear the sneezing? We aren't making this up you know! There are is no such thing as a  hypoallergenic dogs!  Don't believe me? Here's a quote from an article in the Huffington Post  "Contrary to the many marketing claims made to appeal to people with allergies to pets, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog," Franklin D. McMillan, a veterinarian and director of well-being studies at Best Friends Animal Society, told The Huffington Post in an email. All dogs have saliva and skin, which Dr. McMillan says: "The most common cause of pet allergies is the dead, dried flakes (dander) from your pet's sk...

I saw a great story on NBC news about comic books and a cartoon for kids with asthma.  I'll try to include some information, but I am on SLOW speed today because I have a concussion. My brain and body aren't working the way they should. It takes a looooooong time for me to type on my computer, and I have to keep correcting my spelling.     I had to spend a week in bed, with dark rooms and low sounds. Limited TV and radio. Sigh. Not fun for a Type A personality! But - back to the fun cartoon and video! I wish this was around when my kids were little. This cartoon and coloring book series was created by a doctor, Dr. Alex Thomas , who also has asthma! He created these characters when he was only 11! He used to draw the cartoons for the newsletter for his mom's allergy patients. He is now also a pediatric allergy doctor.   The cartoon is easy to understand and has some cute characters. Iggy the Inhaler is dressed like a super hero. The Co...