Healthcare workers found the key changes that occurred during the pandemic lockdown that lead to the asthma lockdown cases decrease. Among these are access to telemedicine and caregivers paying more attention to asthma medications before attacks happen.
Asthma Attacks Decrease Despite Surge in Coronavirus Cases
When the COVID-19 pandemic broke, parents and caregivers worried for children who suffer from asthma attacks. Individuals with lung conditions are more at risk of getting COVID-19. However, it has been determined that this risk is higher in people ages 60 and above. Still, parents took extra precautions so their children would not needlessly suffer.
During the lockdown, the emergency department of Boston Children's Hospital revealed they observed a sudden drop and decline of asthma-related emergency visits shortly after schools closed and there was an order to stay at home, RT Magazine reported. Meanwhile, the community saw a surge in coronavirus cases in spite of the lockdown.
Furthermore, Dr. Tregony Simoneau who authored the study on the asthma lockdown cases decrease revealed the steep decline in emergency cases of asthma attacks was sustained over several months.
Dr. David Fagan, vice chair of the Pediatric Adinistraton-Ambulatory General Pediatrics at Cohen Children's Medical Center said that viral illnesses tend to trigger asthma exacerbations. Fagan explained that a decrease in asthma exacerbations could be expected from a decrease in transmission of viruses. This, due to schools closing and families staying home, but this is not the only reason.
Boston Researchers Identified Factors that Lead to Asthma Lockdown Cases Decrease
Here are some of the factors that can lead to the sustainability of lesser asthma attacks, especially emergency cases. These methods may be pursued after the pandemic:
Follow Daily Asthma Medications to a T
Previous to the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that only 54% of children who suffer from asthma take asthma medications as prescribed. When this happens, children can experience more frequent and severe asthma attacks, NPR reported.
However, during the lockdown, Boston researchers observed that patients and families were keen on following their asthma medication prescriptions. Patients refilled controller inhalers and rescue earlier more often, and earlier as safety precautions. Researchers said this is a large factor to the sustainability of their decreased ER visits. Over time, medications maintained better control over the symptoms.
Virtual Visits as Preventive Measure
With access to telemedicine, parents can reach their child's pediatrician earlier. When the symptoms are experienced, parents can right away administer at-home management of the asthma symptoms. Telemedicine has also proven to best help adolescents towards medication adherence amid the pandemic.
Adopting Healthier Habits for Better Hygiene
The public health guidelines of social distancing, hand-washing, staying at home, and disinfecting also contributed to the asthma lockdown cases decrease. When patients followed these guidelines, they experienced fewer infections.
Because of these practices, patients not only avoided COVID-19 and asthma attacks, but also rhinovirus, influenza, and other transmissible infections.
Better Air Quality
As more Americans worked from home, this resulted in improved air quality. During the COVID-19 lockdown, playgrounds have been off-limits. As a result, asthma sufferers also had less contact with pollen, dust and other outdoor allergens as they were inclined to stay at home.
