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What's an Asthma Educator Specialist? (Formerly known as a Certified Asthma Educator)?

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If you want to learn about asthma, you want to learn from the best and brightest in their profession, right?  An Asthma Educator Specialist is a someone who specializes in teaching patients and their families about asthma.  They stay updated on the latest research and guidelines by attending annual asthma conferences, and only share evidence based information with families (rather than folk remedies).  I'm talking about you essential oils and homeopathic drops... An Asthma Educator Specialist was originally called a Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C) and was credentialed through the National Asthma Education Credentialing Board. I took and passed the exam from them back in 2016. This credential is now offered through the National Board for Respiratory Care and the name has changed to "Asthma Educator Specialist." https://www.nbrc.org/ What's the big deal about an Asthma Educator Specialist?  As I mentioned earlier, people will share ideas about folk remedies that they...
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RSV Making Infants and Older Adults Very Sick

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    RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) is a fairly common cold-like virus that affects the throat, nose, and lungs.  As with other respiratory diseases, it's common in fall and winter - usually peaking in December and January. The symptoms from RSV can be mild in healthy adults, but can be very dangerous in infants and older adults.  It can also cause children with asthma to become very sick.  When my son was 5 (yes 5), he was admitted to the hospital for an entire week with RSV. The hospital staff was shocked since they usually see infants with RSV.   But my son has severe asthma and had many hospitalizations for pneumonia and exposure to wild fire smoke.  So I wasn't surprised he was hospitalized, he is always hit harder with respiratory diseases than my other kids with asthma.  Infants with RSV RSV in babies can cause pneumonia (a lung infection) and bronchiolitis (swelling in the small airways).  This can lead to a hospital stay for ...
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Do Accidents Impact Asthma?

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If you have been wondering why I haven't created any new articles lately....look closely at the graphic.  This is why.  It was my first ambulance ride, and hopefully my last.  I had a bad fall that left me with a broken leg, and a broken arm (both on the right side.) I couldn't put any weight on my right leg and needed surgery since I shattered my right arm.  After a few days in the hospital, I had no choice but to be transferred to a skilled nursing facility.  I spent two months doing physical therapy with a the rest of the patients, who were all in their 70's and 80's.  We spent a lot of time commiserating about injuries. And I learned how to propel myself backwards in my wheelchair with my one good leg.  It was the longest two months of my life, and I would love to forget it. However, the large scar on my right arm won't let me forget it. And I'm still in a wheelchair and re-learning how to walk.  Accidents affecting asthma It wasn't enough to ...
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Extreme Heat and Wildfires in October

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  The U.S. is a mix of disasters.  The South has been hit by two destructive hurricanes in a few weeks time, Helena and Milton. Milton was called a once in a 1,000 year hurricane.  Homes have been washed away, and the death toll is over 200, and families are devastated. In the West, they are continuing with a drought, record high temperatures (close to 100 degrees in October), and continuing wildfires. There is a wildfire near me, and it's over 20,000 acres and causing evacuations.  In October.  Instead of snuggling under a blanket and sipping hot chocolate while we eat apple cider donuts, we are sitting in front of the air conditioner  What is happening with this crazy weather? The Dangers of Wildfire Smoke  According to the CDC, wildfire smoke can cause: Coughing and wheezing  Trouble breathing Asthma attacks Stinging eyes, scratchy throat and runny nose  Headaches Fatigue Chest pain Fast heartbeat Wildfire smoke doesn't follow city, ...
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Happy to be Included as a 2024 Social Health Award Winner!

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  2024 Social Health Award Winners    Every year, advocates from around the country are recognized for their hard work during the Social Health Awards. Before winners are chosen, they go through online voting for their category, followed by three rounds of judging.  Some of the nominees advocate for a disease they have, others advocate on behalf of family.  These are the 2024 winners, a few family members, and staff from Health Union.  I was shocked when they announced my name.  In fact, I was yelling so loudly (I won! I won! I won???? Are you sure????) that I had to exit a tram at the top of a mountain.  Good thing I was able to get off the tram before it started down the mountain. No one would want to ride with the crazy lady.  My award validated the work I have been doing in asthma education since 2009. This group of winners advocates in a variety of ways, such as:   Coordinate support groups Make reels for TikTok and Instagram ...
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Avoiding the September Asthma Peak Week

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 What is the September Asthma epidemic? During the 3rd week of September, asthma hospitalizations spike. In fact, it's the highest time of the year for asthma hospitalizations. You may have thought it was in the middle of winter - during flu season. But it's the 3rd week of September.   What causes the September Asthma Epidemic? There are many causes: Back to school  - instead of spending time outdoors, kids are back inside Unventilated classrooms - rooms are usually small with many kids and bad ventilation.That makes it easy for germs to spread   Animal dander - kids with asthma can have asthma attacks when other students come to school with cat and dog dander on their clothing. This happened to my son in 2nd grade and he had to start allergy shots (we couldn't ask the classmates to get rid of their pets -  that would have gone over well. So we had to protect my son with allergy shots.) Fall allergies - ragweed and chenopods are in bloom. And outdoor mo...
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Back to School With Asthma

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  Now that the Olympics are over, my social media feed is full of pictures of little kids going back to school.  Awww. I remember those days!  My kids are all adults now, but I remember buying school supplies, shoes, and clothes. But the most important thing was making sure my kids with asthma were are safe at school.  1. Meet the teachers  Back in the day, I was always the first one in the classroom to talk to my kid's teachers. I would let her know that my kids have severe asthma and have been in the hospital many times. (By this point, all of the teachers knew me  - and my kids....) 😬 I would give the teacher my cell number and tell her to call me if my child was having an asthma attack. I always gave them a handout about the signs and symptoms of asthma. I offered to train the staff with a short training "What To Do if a Student Has an Asthma Attack", but they didn't have time 2. Check in with the school nurse  I was on a first name basis with the...
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