When the Cincinnati Bengals do well, there is cause for celebration. Perhaps since that does not happen as frequently as we would like, the Bengals know how to put on a show in the end zone.

Well before Ocho Cinco Shenanigans there was the Icky Wood’s shuffle. We love our hometown heroes, so when Icky Wood’s son, 16 year old Elbert Jovante Woods, died from a severe asthma attack earlier this week, it hit us all with great sadness.  Joe was a promising football player himself and more importantly, a great student and all around nice guy according to his fellow teammates.

We are sad for not just the Woods family but also a little scared because we all know a child that has asthma and wonder if this could happen to us.

7 million or 1-2 out of 10 children have some asthma. Asthma causes 4,000 deaths per year in the US and over 250,000 deaths worldwide.  It is the 3rd cause of hospital admissions in children and African Americans are three times more likely to die from asthma.

Should I let my child with asthma play sports? Absolutely! According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology one in every 6 Olympic athletes have asthma. There are many faces of asthma including Jackie Joyner-Kersee, David Beckham and Jerome Bettis.

What is asthma?

Asthma is inflammation of the lungs that closes down airway passages causing difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing.  Rarely the airways constrict so severely that air cannot pass so there is a shortage of oxygen to vital organs. The person turns blue and may permanent suffer brain injury as Jovante Woods did.

Dr Deb’s Tips for Asthmatics

1.  Avoid Triggers

Each person will have a different trigger that causes the asthma to flare. Triggers can include dust, mold, pollen, grass, pet dander, cigarette smoke, pollution, viruses, certain medications like aspirin or Tylenol and sometimes exercise alone can be a trigger.  Cold as well as high heat mixed with pollution can both be triggers.

Know your trigger and avoid it if at all possible.

2. Check peak flows

A peak flow meter is an inexpensive ($15 at my local Kunkels Pharmacy) portable device that will measure airflow. It can show you that your asthma is worse before you have symptoms. This should be mandatory for all athletes because it can be very hard to tell lung function as most athletes are huffing and puffing while training. There are , green, yellow, and red levels that are different for each person that indicate how well you are moving air.  When the level is yellow or red, then medical attention is required.

3. Take Preventative Measures

If your only trigger is exercise, then take 2 puffs of quick acting inhaler before exercise. This type of inhaler opens the closing airways but doesn’t work well if there is long-term inflammation.  If your child is using an inhaler more than twice a week for symptoms then using a long-term medication is a good idea.

Do you use your inhaler correctly?

Check here

There are many long-term medications like inhaled steroids or anti-inflammatory pills that should be used in addition to the short-term rescue inhaler. Not using a long-term medication consistently or at all is one of the leading causes of a severe asthma attack.

4. Write in down

Write down 2 things. First, write down an action plan for teachers and coaches so they know your medications, your triggers, treatment and doctors.

Click here for a copy of an ACTION PLAN

Second, keep a daily breathing record of your triggers, symptoms and peak flows. This will help you to avoid triggers and to know when to see the doctor.

Take this Asthma Control Test to see how your asthma is being treated.

5. Prevent Illnesses

Vaccinate yearly for the influenza flu and wash your hands frequently. Use good hygiene in preparing food, stay hydrated and eat healthy. Some studies indicate that fatty food may be an asthma trigger.

Research released in April 2010 indicates low Vitamin D levels increase risk of asthma. Low Vitamin D is seen north of  Los Angeles to Atlanta and more so in dark skinned people who have a harder time absorbing it from the sun. Vitamin D supplements may improve lung function in asthmatic children.

Here is more information on how to prepare your kids with asthma to go back to school.

Here is a list of resources for all asthmatics.

With proper medical care and preparation there is no reason why asthmatics can’t live active lives and maybe even be great athletes too. Now that is real cause for celebration.

Peace,

Dr. Deb