May 2 is World Asthma Day, and May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.
May is the peak season for symptoms to flare up for many people with asthma and allergies. It is an ideal time to learn more about these conditions and ways to control asthma and allergy symptoms. Consider working with your healthcare provider to create a home management plan with instructions for:
- Symptom monitoring.
- A written action plan with outlined instructions for home use to maintain symptom control and treat symptom flare-ups when needed.
- A review of medications, outlining when and how to use them.
- How to use devices to administer the medications.
- A review of triggers (things that cause the symptoms) with instructions for avoidance and precautions to be followed.
- When medical evaluations are needed.
- How and when to contact their healthcare provider.
Please refer to these resources for more information:
- Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Pediatric Pulmonary: Asthma Resources
- The Asthma Tigger House developed by Stony Brook Children’s and Stony Brook University staff in collaboration with the Asthma Coalition of Long Island
- American Lung Association
- Asthma Coalition of Long Island (ACLI)
- American Academy of Pediatrics’ Healthy Children.Org
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology