My Life as an Asthma Mom

  What is the September Asthma epidemic? The 3rd week of September is an "epidemic" when asthma hospitalizations spike. That week is  the highest time of the year for asthma hospitalizations! Crazy, right?  You may have thought the worst time for asthma is the middle of winter - during flu season. But it's the 3rd week of September. Every year.    What causes the September Asthma Epidemic? There are many causes: School starts again  -  so instead of spending time outdoors, kids are back inside     Not well ventilated classrooms - new schools are closed up tight to be energy efficient, which means windows don't open. And classrooms are usually small, but packed with kids. If there isn't enough fresh air coming into the classroom through the ventilation system,  germs can stay in the classroom and spread to other kids    Cat and dog dander - kids with asthma can have asthma attacks when other stud...

      Shootings are all over the news here in the U.S.  And not to get too political, but I don't want another panicked call from my daughter that she is being evacuated due to a shooting. She's been through two (so far......)  The panic I feel when I get a call from her about another shooting she's involved in is indescribable.   We shouldn't have to live like this.   There were two shootings in one day in the U.S. yesterday, and I had to stop looking at social media because of the nonstop coverage and horrible photos. There are many things that can trigger an asthma attack, and one of them is fear.  There was a LOT of fear after yesterday's shootings.  One gunman was caught in one state, but the other state's shooter is still on the loose.   Fear causing an asthma attack    Strong emotions are a known asthma trigger. Any emotion such as laughter, crying, anger, or fear can trigger an asthma attack. And it's har...