WSchmitt_Annotation3_AsthmaandDormLiving

This short article was written as a joint publication by the Allergy and Asthma Network/Mother's of Asthma, Inc. They speak as a group that aims to disseminate information on asthma to all walks of people so that they can learn more and understand the illness more. They provide pamphlets, brochures, and videos as well as other asthma supplies such as nebulizers, peak flow meters, and holding chambers. The contact for the group listed in the article is Nancy Sander of the Allergy and Asthma Network.

The idea of this article is that it pinpoints possible triggers that a student may encounter in switching into the college environment. The article's subtitle is actually " A 12 Point Survival Guide for College Students With Asthma and their parents. I found it very interesting the types of things it focused on. Most of the points are commonly accepted triggers of Asthma. The article identifies that college students should before leaving for college, obtain an asthma management plan. A lot of points were made about controlling the in-room environment. The article says that clutter should be avoided. Also, unnecessary furniture such as secondary rugs should not be brought to school because they can trap allergens and asthma triggers. If sharing a bunk, the article advises the asthmatic to take the top bunk to avoid breathing in bed dust from the bunk above. The article also adds that it is important to manage situations and stay in control of possible asthmatic situations. Avoiding smoking, and prohibiting smoking in the asthmatic's room is cited as an important way to avoid asthma attacks. It also notes that keeping immunologically healthy is key as a college student. Getting a flu shot, eating healthy, etc... is advised. The article ties asthma with other possible illnesses and maladies. Also, the article focuses largely on planning ahead. Making sure the asthmatic knows where emergency care is available, how to get emergency care, arranging with professors how to make up missed class time due to the asthma, carrying a rescue inhaler at all times, and avoiding social situations that may cause problems are all cited.

The article concludes saying that most asthma attacks, especially the fatal ones, at college can be avoided. " The athlete who forgot to carry his inhaler while jogging; the 19 year old who collapsed and died in the front yard of a party she left because people were smoking; the honors student who became intoxicated, had an attack, passed out and died alone in his room while searching for his inhaler -- these tragedies can be avoided."

Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc. "Asthma and Dorm Living: A 12 Point Survival Guide for College Students With Asthma and Their Parents." //KidSource OnLine//. 4 Aug. 1997. Web. 10 Mar. 2010. .