My Life as an Asthma Mom

              This is one of those phrases that I hear quite a bit from people - "My inhaler isn't working."  Well, inhalers don't "stop working". It's usually "User Error." I love this term because I often have computer problems at work and my colleague (who is the Tech Queen) teases me that it's probably User Error - and it usually is!  I may not be a whiz on computers and software, but I am on inhalers. One of the most common things I see when I help families is that they aren't using their inhaler correctly.  In fact, 92% of people do NOT use their inhaler correctly. Yep, 92%!  Why? Well, there is a dizzying array of inhaler devices now. Some are MDI's (Metered Dose Inhalers), some are DPI's (Dry Powder Inhalers), and some are a soft mist inhaler. That could be part of the reason people have a tough time with using their inhaler the right way. There are so many different types of inhalers.

I know Mom Guilt is a real thing. My kids are all adults now, but I remember feeling really guilty about a lot of things when they were little.  (I still do now!) In fact, it started when I was expecting. Back in the 90's, I remember all the things the doctor warned me not to do. He said I had to limit caffeine (he even said to limit chocolate!) I couldn't have unwashed produce, had to be careful with lunch meat and soft cheeses and couldn't take ibuprofen.   I don't drink or smoke, so that wasn't a worry. But I also made sure to exercise every day and try to get enough sleep. I also breastfed my kids for the first year to give them a good immune system.  My life was turned upside down 20 years ago when the kids and I were all diagnosed with asthma, and I am surprised by all the dumb things I have read that seem to blame moms! I read a news article years ago that said if pregnant moms are exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF's), it