Time for a check-up on asthma

It’s that time of year when all people, especially children, who have ever been treated for asthma or wheezing should consider that ragweed pollens are airborne as well as other fall pollens. There is a government website you can consult for daily air quality alerts: www.dec.ny.gov. Pollens and ozone are known triggers of wheezing. Interestingly, both of these levels have been particularly high on Long Island since mid-August.

This is usually the season when I remind all wheezers to resume their controller medications such as inhaled corticosteroids and singulair. This is especially true if you are an athlete, running around on a field where pollens and dust are kicked up during practice or play.

There is a simple rule to remember if you have ever wheezed. It’s called the “Rule of 2’s”.

The Rule of 2’s asks, in the last six months:

• Have you required your rescue-reliever medicine (Albuterol or Xopenex) more than two times a week in the daytime?
• Have you needed to use it more than two times a month in the night for coughing or wheezing?
• Have you needed to refill your rescue-reliever medicine more than two times in one year?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, it indicates that your asthma or wheezing is not under control. If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you should schedule a visit with your doctor. Even if you answered “no” to all of these questions, all asthmatics should see their doctor every three to six months for an asthma tune-up. There are special tests your medical provider can perform to assess your asthma status.

Additionally, flu season is coming. The risk of complications are greatest for all wheezers if they contract the flu. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all asthmatics and wheezers get a flu vaccine every season. It is advisable that family members obtain the flu vaccine as well. Now is the time to call your medical provider and arrange for an influenza vaccine.

The goal for asthma management is that you remain healthy, active and in control with no asthma attacks for many years. There are many olympic athletes who have asthma. These athletes are well controlled because they do not ignore their asthma or wheezing and follow these medical recommendations. It’s best to control your asthma and not to let your asthma control you.

Michelle Wruck, MSN, RN, PNP-BC, is a pediatric practitioner at Peconic Pediatrics. A graduate of Beth Israel Medical Center School of Nursing, St. Joseph’s College and Stony Brook University School of Nursing, she has been a pediatric practitioner since 1978. Her expertise in pediatrics is in the home management of medically fragile and technology-dependent children. She also has expertise in managing asthma, obesity and adolescence. She has been board certified in pediatrics since 1993.