Asthma In The Summer

I've talked before about Zach's asthma. Here's a refresher. In September of 2012 Zach was sitting on my lap and struggling to breathe. His doctor sent him to a fantastic hospital.

http://homewithmommy-fran.blogspot.com/2012/09/zach-at-hospital.html

Doctors don't usually diagnose asthma that quickly. But, Zach's attack was pretty big. So he got the diagnosis. Now, we have to go to the Pediatric Pulmonologist every three months. Sometimes that includes very expensive testing on very big machines. He has a very expensive twice daily medication (Qvar) and a less expensive emergency medication (Albuterol). The Albuterol has to be with him always. As well as his puffer chamber. To learn more, read my previous blog post:

http://homewithmommy-fran.blogspot.com/2014/01/managing-zachs-asthma.html

But things get better in the summer. From Memorial Day until Labor Day he's never needed the Qvar. He hasn't had many attacks since that day. We give him his albuterol before physical activities like sports class. We also give him his Albuterol before camp each day. That's because of the activities and the humidity. It's just a precaution. But the heat and humidity can get to him.

That does effect things. In the winter I am more likely to keep him home if he's got a stuffy nose. I need to be able to keep an eye on him. The teacher will send him to the nurse if they notice the signs. But the signs aren't always obvious.

In the summer it means there are some days he can't go out. Here's an example. It's supposed to be 94 degrees here on Wednesday afternoon. There is an air conditioned room at camp. But he's mostly in the gym with just a fan. We'll pick him up after lunch then keep him in air conditioning the rest of the day. Once it cools off we might go to the pool later.

We used to give him his Albuterol before swim class. We haven't been giving him his albuterol when swimming but we need to. He's a confident swimmer now and can play in the water for a long stretch of time. I have noticed times when he does struggle to breathe after swimming for a long time.

Towards the end of summer I'll need to refill the Albuterol so the school nurse has an updated prescription. I'll need a new chamber too. The asthma gets better each year. He might grow out of it. But for now, we have to watch the humidity and heat!!!