Did you know that urban African-American youth, have asthma fatality rates that are higher than in whites, yet few programs target this population. Asthma accounts for 10.5 million missed school days annually. And according to a new study published in the July issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology the scientific publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), asthma is also a leading contributor to missed sleep and illness in urban children.
For the past few years, I have been involved with a successful initiative, Healthy Hoops. the program was created by Keystone Mercy Health Plan, as a tool, using basketball, to provide support, education, and asthma management tools for parents and children.
Healthy Hoops has saved lives, and improved the ability for many children to lead productive and active lives.
This year’s Healthy Hoops program will be held at St. Joseph’s University, on Saturday, July 21, 2012 from 10am-3pm.
You can get more information at www.kmhp.com
Here is a portion of a recent column I wrote about Asthma:
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing hard at times; in fact, it can make life downright miserable, if not addressed properly. It can develop at any age, but most often it begins in children, generally in the first five years of life. For some urban children, asthma rates can be as high as 25 to 40 percent. It is the leading cause of hospitalization for children, and is the number one chronic condition causing elementary school absenteeism.
It’s shown that some children will continue to have asthma into the adult years. In other children, asthma resolves itself; in other words, “they grow out of it.” Studies show that as many as half of all children with asthma will outgrow the disorder. Those with a more serious condition will typically have asthma into their adult life and beyond.
The troubling news is that children in inner cities all across this country are more likely to develop asthma, especially if they are from the lower socioeconomic groups of these cities. Medical experts still don’t understand why, but it is thought that the poorer living conditions, greater exposure to known asthma triggers, and in many situations, less access to proper health care, contributes to the higher rates of asthma.
American children with asthma in poor urban areas are especially prone to respiratory health problems as a result of the poor air quality in inner-city most neighborhoods where The constant unhealthy air pollution levels, motor vehicle exhaust and other environmental pollutants, are all associated with asthma symptoms, as well as school absences among children in inner-city neighborhoods, according to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI).
While air pollution is known to increase risk of severe asthma attacks, this new study shows adverse health effects are more evident among children in poor, urban neighborhoods.
Although asthma affects a higher percentage of Black children than white children, it is still controversial whether racial genetics plays a role in this increased rate of asthma, because Black children are also more likely to live in inner-city areas.
American children with asthma in poor, urban areas are especially prone to respiratory health problems as a result of the poor air quality in the neighborhoods where they live, play, and go to school.
The constant unhealthy air pollution levels, motor vehicle exhaust and other environmental pollutants, are all associated with asthma symptoms, as well as school absences among children in inner-city neighborhoods, according to a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
While air pollution is known to increase risk of severe asthma attacks, this new study shows adverse health effects are more evident among children in poor, urban neighborhoods.
In spite of the medical advances in treatment over the past few decades, asthma cases have increased by more than 60 percent since the early 1980s, and asthma-related deaths have doubled to 5,000 a year.
So, exactly what is causing the asthma epidemic, and what can be done to slow down the continuous increase?
Anyone who is older than 40 can remember that when they were young, it was very unusual for even one child in the whole school to have asthma. Now, it’s not uncommon for several children to have asthma in a single classroom.
In a recent article in the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association, a doctor described a telling scene at a football game he attended with his 13-year-old son: “Someone on the field had a breathing problem. It was hard to see whose son it was, and 15 parents ran to the field with inhalers.” This is a powerful image that sums up the dismal condition of far too many of our children.
Many years ago many of today’s baby boomers lived in well-ventilated houses (sometimes a little too ventilated, especially in the winter!), and the breeze dried and freshened the air, and cleared out mold and other allergens. Now, most homes that children live in, don’t breathe adequately. On top of that, using basements in old, decaying, moldy houses in urban America as a sleeping area for children increases mold exposure because mold grows in any basement.
But don’t think that allergens are responsible alone. Stress factors that many of our children and young people live under today are unbelievable!
From an early age, children living in the inner cities are exposed frequently to the use of drugs, guns, arson and random violence. They witness injury, suffering and death, and they respond to these events with fear and grief, often experiencing dramatic ruptures in their development. All of these can act as stress factors, and may induce or aggravate asthma attacks.
But don’t feel hopeless, there are things you can do.
Asthma medical experts agree on the following tips for asthma patients and their parents:
Use air filters to help clean air in your home.
Cover mattresses and pillows with dust covers and use hypoallergenic bed clothing to reduce exposure to dust mites.
If your child’s condition is getting worse, get checked for viral respiratory infections and different medical conditions, such as flu, rhinitis, sinusitis and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). When those are treated and eliminated, asthma symptoms tend to improve.
If your child’s asthma is exercise-induced, an individually prescribed exercise program carefully chosen under the guidance of your primary health care provider should be incorporated into the treatment plan.
Avoid giving your child foods with sulfites or monosodium glutamate (MSG) in foods. Since both additives are used in a wide variety of foods, read processed food labels and choose MSG-free foods when eating out.
Choose a more vegetarian-type diet. Animal proteins found in meat include arachidonic acid — a precursor for inflammation.
Include foods with omega-3 fatty acids in the diet — such as fish or fish oil.
Supplement with vitamin C, which helps reduce allergic reactions and wheezing symptoms.
Many children with asthma can engage in normal childhood activities (except during flare-ups), yet some do need to take daily medications, as prescribed by their doctor, to allow them to safely engage in sports and normal play.
Failure of a parent to make sure that their asthmatic child receives the proper medical treatment will definitely have a negative impact on the child’s quality of life, as well as that of the entire family.
Many times, parents of children with asthma aren’t aware when their child’s treatment is inadequate, so they resort to just giving the child more medication. If this is the case, this indicates a need for both parent and child to become better educated on proper asthma education, management techniques, and treatment options specific for their child.
Asthma can be a serious health condition, which can be quite debilitating for some children and young people, limiting their activities. However, with proper asthma education, management techniques, and treatment options specific to the individual child, it doesn’t have to be a reason for any child with asthma not to enjoy a life of the highest quality, fully engage in all the things that are a part of a normal active childhood.
Remember, I’m not a doctor. I just sound like one. Take good care of yourself and live the best life possible!
The information included in this column is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.