May Is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

by Jennifer Elenbaas, MA, BS, RRT, AE-C; Senior Clinical Editor-Respiratory Therapy, Nursing, Allied Health Practice & Patient Education

May is a special month for health care providers who care for patients with asthma and allergies. It is the peak season for asthma and allergy triggers, such as pollen, grass and mold. It is also the time to raise awareness and educate the public about these common chronic conditions that affect millions of Americans. 

According to the World Health Organization, 262 million people are affected by asthma. According to the clinical overview in ClinicalKey, asthma is also one of the most common childhood illnesses, affecting more than 4.2 million US children. Asthma often presents with cough, episodic wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. 

As a health care provider, you play a vital role in helping your patients manage their asthma and allergies. Here are some tips to help you provide the best care possible: 

• Review the following publications to refresh your knowledge on asthma diagnosis and management to better serve your patients. 

• Ask your patients about their asthma and allergy history, triggers, symptoms, and medications. 

• Educate your patients about how to create an asthma safe home, how to use an inhaler, and signs and symptoms to identify asthma. 

• Prescribe your patients with appropriate medications, such as inhalers, and teach them how to use them correctly and safely. Emphasize the difference between long-term control and quick-relief medications and remind your patient’s to always carry their medicine with them. 

• Encourage your patients to follow an asthma action plan which outlines the steps to self-manage and keep their asthma controlled and tell them what to do in case of an emergency. Review the plan with them regularly and update it as needed. Make sure they share the plan with their family, friends, teachers, and coworkers.

• Refer your patients to an allergist or a pulmonologist if their asthma or allergies are severe, persistent, or difficult to control. These specialists can offer more advanced testing and treatment options. 

By following these tips, you can help your patients improve their quality of life and reduce their risk of complications. For more information, visit Elsevier’s Asthma Healthcare Hub.