If you have asthma you are one of more than 20 million U.S. and Canadian citizens who suffer with the disorder, accounting for 40,000 missed work or school days a year. As of 2010, the cost of asthma care in the United States is $18 billion per year, according to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. Physicians, community organizations, schools and fellow sufferers have developed asthma assistance programs across the continent. Asthma is treatable. Much of your suffering can be relieved.
Support Groups
When shortness of breath and wheezing begin, understanding support can ease your mind. The American and Canadian Lung Associations, the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America and other groups have established both adult and children's asthma support groups across North America. Quick personal contacts and periodic gatherings foster sharing of healing knowledge won from a range of personal experiences and training.
School Support
Many programs have been developed to support teachers, teacher's aids and other child care workers in recognizing and understanding asthma. Acceptance and accommodation of a child's rescue inhaler or--under a school nurse's supervision--a compressed air medication nebulizer can help a child overcome an attack. Anxiety or embarrassment can be especially troubling for a student in the absence of a parent, so emotional support from workers who understand asthma is important.
Many schools have also developed physical education and athletic programs for asthmatic students.
Diversity Support
Many adults and students speak English as a second language. Under the stress of an asthma attack, more effective and comforting support can sometimes be offered in a native tongue. Hispanic, Native American, French Canadian and First Nation language asthma support programs, groups and educational materials have been developed by hospitals, health care systems, community and governmental organizations.
Pharma Support
Pharmaceutical corporations have developed a broad range of powerful and effective asthma medications. But side effects, drug interactions and accidental overdoses can complicate asthma care. The American Lung Association publishes and continually updates a comprehensive list of these companies and the dosing, benefit, side effect and safety facts for each drug as part of their ongoing commitment to effective asthma assistance programs.
References
- American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology: Asthma Support
- Allergy and Asthma Network: Mothers of Asthmatics
- American Lung Association: Asthma Medication Information
- Hispanic-American Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Association: Asthma Support
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: Asthma Information and Assistance
