Augusta Families, University Hospital Work To Raise Childhood Asthma Awareness
Posted on March 6, 2008
Filed Under Augusta, Georgia, News |
Augusta, GA — Eleven-year-old Carissa Taylor was full of life. She loved to play outside and had a ton of friends at Diamond Lakes Elementary, but she suffered from asthma, a disease that would eventually take her life.
Lori Taylor, Carissa’s mother: “The unusual thing about it was that she had asthma, but she played so much. You know most kids who have asthma, they can’t play a lot because of short breath or whatever, well this child could play.”
Carissa was one of the 75,000 kids who suffer from asthma in Georgia. Although she never made a hospital visit, 5-year-old Nicholas Ister has. His grandma says it can be tough living in Augusta, because of the high levels of pollen and ragweed….all triggers of attacks.
Donna Plummer, Nicholas’ grandmother: “Just the idea of going outside to play becomes something that you really have to monitor. You have to check out and see what the pollen count is for the day.”
In 2007, University Hospital’s emergency room saw more than 460 kids under the age of 18, due to asthma attacks…a number that Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab Specialist, Sheila Kamath, says could be lowered.
Sheila Kamath, University Hospital, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab: “There are simple solutions, and sometimes it’s because they haven’t been identified, the children haven’t been identified, or, they choose to use just their rescue medicines.”
Taylor’s daughter lost her battle with asthma even after 6 years of never having an attack…proof that it can happen anywhere at anytime. Parents need to be educated on what to do.
Taylor: “If you, she or he, has asthma and they can’t breathe or whatever…you can’t do at home or whatever, take them to the emergency room. You just take them to the emergency room…whatever you’ve got to do.”
Doctors say that many parents don’t even know that their children have asthma. The biggest indicator is shortness of breath and wheezing. And, if your child does have asthma, make sure that they always have their medicine with them.
University Hospital is holding a free Asthma Education Camp on Saturday at Fort Discovery. Children will learn how to better manage their asthma. For more information, call 706-774-5864.
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