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Trained pediatric nurses are helping children and their parents make sure they are correctly using medications, spacers, inhalers and peak flow meters. They provide education about asthma, warning signs, triggers, when to call the doctor and what to do during an asthma attack.
The program helps the child and parent better manage the child’s condition, reduce days missed from school for asthma, and reduce days parents miss from work.
Asthma impacts between 14-15 million people in the United States, 4.8 million are children. Most common chronic disease of childhood, Asthma accounts for:
- 100 million days of restricted activity per year
- 20 million lost workdays per year
- 10 million lost school days per year
- 470,000 hospitalizations and
- more than 5,000 deaths a year
Breath'n Easy is a program made available to you by Heritage Valley Health System and your child's doctor to help you and your child better understand and manage asthma.
The program is for children under the age of 18 who have experienced asthma symptoms.
The program helps you and your child learn about:
- Signs and symptoms of asthma
- What can cause an asthma attack
- How to trigger-proof your home
- How to take medications correctly
Throughout the year, you and your child will receive the Breath'n Easy newsletter, containing information and tips focusing on your child's asthma. Depending on your needs or your child's needs, experienced pediatric nurses may call. These nurses work closely with you, your child and your child's doctors.
Breath'n Easy is free of charge.
For more information on the Breath'n Easy program, call 724.773.1992 or talk with your child's physician. Or, read our asthma newsletter, The Breath'n Easy Buzz:
Many of our documents are available in PDF format. To read PDF files, Adobe Acrobat Reader® software must be installed on your computer. Download Acrobat Reader (free version)
For more information on asthma, check out:
Allergy & Asthma Network
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
American Lung Association - PA Office
Indoor Air Quality
Local Pollen Count
The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media
The Air Quality Index - reports outdoor air quality
