Asthma Helpline Case Studies

Each month of 2010 we will feature a new case study on our website from the most commonly asked questions and cases our Asthma helpline receives. If you would like to be featured as a case study or if you have a question about asthma you would like our nurse to answer please email us at admin@asthmasociety.ie or call 01 8788511

September Asthma Case Study	Choose previous months January February March April May June July August
Linda, mother of 8 year old Aoife called the Asthma Helpline to get advice on how to control Sophie’s asthma on the school return. "I called the Asthma Society Helpline because I am concerned for my little girl who is 8 years old. She has had asthma since infancy. She has been really well all summer but I’m dreading her going back to school. Every year in September, her asthma worsens and she becomes very sick. I wanted to know if there is anything I can do to help her stay well when she goes back to school. I spoke to the Asthma Helpline nurse who understood my concerns and explained to me that it is very common for children’s asthma to worsen in September.

There are many reasons for this including exposure to new allergens and triggers such as colds and viruses. Other things like excitement over being back in school and back with friends can be asthma triggers or even having to manage their own medication or having to rely on a teacher rather than a parent to take charge of inhalers.

The Asthma Helpline nurse asked me in detail about Aoife’s medication and I told her Aoife takes a brown preventer inhaler every day. Occasionally she needs a blue reliever inhaler.

The Asthma Helpline nurse explained to me that there are a number of steps I can take to help my daughter continue to have good control of her asthma. It is important to have Aoife’s asthma reviewed by her doctor prior to school term as during the winter and autumn colds and flu cause a threat to children with asthma. She advised me to ask my doctor for a written personal action plan. An asthma management plan includes information parents need to keep their child's asthma under control. This information includes details such as dosage of asthma medication prescribed to their child and the importance of taking their medication on a daily basis. An asthma management plan informs parents how to tell when their child's asthma symptoms are worsening and what steps to take if this occurs. The plan informs parents what to do if their child has an attack. The Asthma Helpline nurse told me I should ask my Practice Nurse to check Aoife’s inhaler technique.

The Nurse suggested that it would be a good idea for me to visit Aoife’s school and make sure her teacher is aware that Aoife has asthma. I should also ask the principal if there is an Asthma School Policy in place and what measures are in place if a child with asthma has an asthma attack. The Asthma Nurse advised me that if the school has no policy in place they should contact the Asthma Society of Ireland for a copy of their booklet “Best Practice Asthma Management Guidelines for Primary Schools in Ireland".

The Nurse also advised that I use an Asthma Society of Ireland primary school asthma record sheet which is on page 19 of the Primary School Guidelines to record essential details that the school needs to know about Aoife’s health and treatment. The Asthma Helpline Nurse reminded me that it is imperative that Aoife carries her blue reliever at all times. She advised that a blue reliever is left in school and labeled clearly with her name.

Finally I was advised to keep Aoife at home from school if she is not well enough to attend.
After calling the Asthma Helpline I feel much more confident now about what steps to take to control Aoife’s asthma. I have made an appointment to speak to Aoife’s teacher and I have booked an appointment with my doctor to review Aoife’s asthma management plan.

To speak to our Asthma Nurse call 1850 44 54 64, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am – 1pm.

*Name of Helpline caller has been changed to protect the Helpline caller's privacy. Photo featured is of an actor.