Riverton Hospital Hosts Free Community "Back to School" Workshop on Aug. 18 for Utah Families Affected by Asthma

That’s why Riverton Hospital is partnering with several community organizations to host a free workshop, “Going Back to School with Asthma,” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 18. It will be held in the Riverton/Herriman classroom at the northeast end of the first floor of the hospital, which is located at 3741 West and 12600 South in Riverton.
 
“Sending a child to school with asthma can be frightening for parents when their child will be away from home for several hours a day for the first time,” said Riverton Hospital pediatrician Shellie Ring, MD. “It’s important to communicate with your child’s teacher and school staff about your child’s asthma. Children under age eight usually need adult supervision to manage their asthma.”
 
She adds that the higher rate of asthma among children in the southwest Salt Lake valley, the high number of children generally in the area, and the weather all combine to make it important for parents and teachers to be aware of the needs of a child with asthma. “The southwest valley has a nearly 7 percent rate of childhood asthma, which is slightly higher compared to other areas along the Wasatch Front,” said Dr. Ring.
 
“Coupled with the growing child population in the southwest valley, pediatricians and emergency room physicians here see a fair amount of young asthma patients. And this time of year, the warm, sunny weather — which increases ozone formation — can lead to asthma flare-ups,” Dr. Ring notes.
 
Symptoms of asthma include breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. When asthma is untreated or doesn’t respond to regular treatment options, a child may need emergency medical care. According to the Utah Department of Health, asthma is the leading cause of missed days from school due to a chronic illness.
 
During Thursday’s Riverton Hospital workshop, Dr. Ring will talk about asthma warning signs, possible triggers, treatment options, allergies, strategies for bad air quality days, and how the presence of radon in your home can affect children’s lungs. She’ll also answer questions about asthma.
 
Radon — which can aggravate the symptoms of asthma and damage the lungs — is a radioactive gas found naturally in soil and rocks that can become harmful when it’s trapped due to poor air circulation and when it interacts with other chemicals, according to the American Lung Association.
 
Free “spacers” (air chambers that help young children administer their asthma inhalers properly) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Information about asthma will be available from community partners that are supporting the workshop, including the Utah Chapter of the American Lung Association, the Salt Lake County Health Department, the Utah Department of Health, and SelectHealth.
 
The American Lung Association offers resources such as an asthma action plan, which is available in English and Spanish.
 
The form is designed to give schools an idea about symptoms to watch out for and how to respond. The parents of children who have asthma (with help from their physicians, if necessary) should complete the form. Parents are encouraged to check with their local schools to find out their policies for children with asthma.
 
A 2010 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s Agency for Toxic Substances reports that children are especially susceptible to the effects of radon. The study found the risk of lung cancer in children as a result of exposure to radon may be almost twice as high as the risk to adults exposed to the same amount of radon. Due to lung shape and size differences, children have higher estimated radiation doses than adults. Children also have faster breathing rates than adults.