“A brand new medical report confirmed the assumption…”
It is nice to hear there is a report out there now. Hopefully more to come.
Category Archives: Research
Asthma attacks and Flare-ups
Have you or someone you know ever had to be on prednisone? After such a flare-up were you able to fully identify what the triggers were that lead to the asthma attack? Most of the time it is hard to know EXACTLY what the trigger/triggers were. Sometimes it is a combination of things and our body is not able to handle it.
The last 10 days have been hard as I had a flare up with my allergies and asthma which has resulted in my being on prednisone. As annoying as the side effects can be, I am glad to be feeling better. This is the first serious flare-up for me in quite some time and it makes me realize that though I have lots of support, a great allergist and family doctor, there are still some actions I can take, which would make me even better prepared for any similar attacks in the future.
Do you have an adequate “Asthma Team” in place? Here in Victoria, BC we have an Asthma Clinic which has a pulmonary specialist on call. Do you have a pulmonary specialist? What is your action plan, or the action plan for your son/daughter or loved one? Having a proper plan in place is very important. Do you have a peak flow meter and know how to use it? Knowing what your lung capacity is when you are feeling at your very best and when you are feeling tight provides a great way to monitor your lungs. The American Association of Allergy Asthma & Immunology has a great article on peak flow meters and how important they are; ”A peak flow meter for asthma is like a thermometer for a fever. It helps monitor what’s going on inside your body.” AAAAI
I highly recommend having a glance through National Asthma Patient Alliance – Asthma Society of Canada‘s website. Do you know many others who struggle with asthma? Are you wondering how others deal with their asthma and how they might have overcome some of the challenges we often face on a day to day basis? Have a read through some real-life stories on the Asthma Society of Canada’s website! It’s always nice to know you are not the only one 
XXI World Congress of Asthma is around the corner!
2
I am very excited to be attending thanks to Allergen NCE. There is a little more information on their website now about the topics that will be discussed and the FINAL Program is also up!
Looking through the numerous sessions, titles and keynotes & speakers has been extremely inspiring, as my primary concerns and interest lie in why asthma is on the rise, and, how to manage asthma in the work place or school. It is one thing to have a home that is clear of mold and dust and is controlled, however I haven’t quite figured out how to deal with alternate environments which have multiple triggers that are beyond my control.
Over the next few days, I will be looking through the program and trying to figure out which sessions I will be attending! It’s like looking at a menu! Hopefully I will be seeing some of you there!
BTW, I can’t seem to find abstracts yet either…
Join the conversation on Facebook!
If you are on Facebook, like my page and get daily links to stories in the news and articles. www.facebook.com/LivingwithAllergies
There’s still time to sign up!
Does your child have asthma and or anaphylaxis? Are they between 7 and 15 years of age? Here’s an opportunity you most definitely won’t want them to miss out on! After 2 pilot studies the University of Alberta Social Support Research Program and Anaphylaxis Canada and several others, are launching a full scale 8 week online program, lead by Investigator; Dr. Miriam Stewart.
“Based on [the] comments, from parents after the pilot study, the answer is an overwhelming “Yes!” Yes, this study is a worthy investment of your limited time! Yes, your son/daughter will want to participate” – SOS website Kids Want to Attend
By week 8 your child will be wishing there were more sessions. It’s the perfect opportunity for them to talk, share, laugh and make new friends from across the country who they might actually share an awful lot in common with! Check out there site https://sites.google.com/a/ualberta.ca/sos/project-definition
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me! I was a mentor in both pilot interventions and am always excited to discuss. I know as a mentor, I learned a lot from the children and youth and had an amazing experience. Great people, a fun time and so much to take away with you after the fact! Even some role playing. =)
A great opportunity for your child/children!
As mentioned in my previous post, there is an online allergy and asthma outreach intervention that will be starting in the fall. I have been a mentor in both pilot studies and worked with the research team and highly recommend this opportunity to youth with anaphylaxis and.or asthma. Here is a short message from one of the organizers, about the study and her contact information, if you are interested (with the audience being youth). Please have a read into this amazing study!
Welcome!
My name is Kim, and I am creating some really fun and exciting resources for a study for youth, like you, coping with asthma and severe allergies. The program will be lead by Peer Mentors, people who are a bit older than you, who manage their allergies and asthma. It will be offered as 8 online sessions from September to November, for one hour a week. There will also be interviews before and after the sessions so that we can get to know you better, and see what you think about the program.
You can learn more, from previous participants, on our website. There are some blog articles you may really enjoy. My favorite is The Ugly duckling: the Asthma and Allergy version, but I also really enjoyed writing the other ones too. (There are a few for your parents to read, if they are interested.) Please go to: https://sites.google.com/a/ualberta.ca/sos/ .
We would love to have you join us! If you are interested, please send me an e-mail at kkara@ualberta.ca. then I can send you a link to the application form.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Kim
An amazing study worth reading into!
The Social Support Research Program, Asthma Society of Canada and Anaphylaxis Canada have partnered up to deliver an online support program for children and youth with asthma and severe allergies. I was a mentor in their Pilot studies and both were extremely successful and rewarding. Does your child have severe allergies and/or asthma? Have a quick read and see if you think your child may be interested in participating. You will find contact information on the website.
https://sites.google.com/a/ualberta.ca/sos/home
