Checklist For My College Bound Patients

Well summer is almost officially over. Some collegians have already left by plane, train, bus or automobile for their homes away from home.

This is such a bitter sweet time for parents. As a parent of an 18 and 20 year old (both of whom have asthma) I know the feeling of mixed anticipation; of desperately missing them, and the relief, shipping the little noise makers off to school.

If your child is one of my patients I hope you have prepared for their new environment by following most of the tips provided for home controls, posted previously. For your convenience I have provided a checklist to be used as a guideline for college bound students who have allergic nasal problems and /or asthma.

-Have your allergy medications as well as any other medications listed, including their doses, number of pills or puffs (in an inhaler) and number of refills. It would also be good to check expiration dates on all the medications. This is important if your medicine bag is lost or destroyed during travel (stranger things have happened). Keep the list in a separate place.

-Make certain you have a written action plan for asthma, in the event of worsening symptoms. Establish who to call and where to go if you get sick. If you occasionally required a nebulizer for asthma medications while in high school, you should probably have one at college. Don’t wait until the last minute to check on the nebulizer meds and the status of the tubing and cup (which should be kept clean and changed periodically).

-People who are on inhalers (for asthma) should have a peak flow meter. This allows for some objective information to be given by phone when uncertain about cough or other chest symptoms. I find having peak flow rates in the time of illness very helpful in my assessment of lung function.

-Do not forget your pillow and mattress encasements which should be certified to trap dust mites.

-Hopefully you requested air-conditioning (especially if you are going south) and a smoke free room, floor apartment or house. Whatever you do, avoid active smoking (tobacco as well as anything else). Any kind of smoke inhalation dramatically increases the inflammation in the sinuses and lungs in people with allergic problems.

-Make your appointments for follow-up over Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday, now. This tends to be a highly sought after time since many college students come back home around the same time.

-Remember to bring your inhalers and other medicines home when coming back for breaks. Sometimes after being away from home for several months, the allergens (pets, dust mites, irritant triggers) you are re-exposed to, have a greater impact on you. In other words, soon after getting home you get sick.

-If you are on allergy shots check on the number of shots assigned to your vials so you don’t run out unexpectedly. Have the allergy office number on hand just in case. Even if the school health service doesn’t enforce waiting 20mins after your allergy shots wait anyway (every time).

-Get a flu shot every October if you can (especially if you are on any inhalers or have asthma).

-You should be well versed in how to manage exercise induced asthma if it occurs. Ask about this next time you are in the office if we have not addressed this issue.

-Finally, for my college bound patients, feel free to call one of our offices if you are uncertain about your asthma control or medications, after being evaluated at the health service, clinic or hospital. If you do require medical attention for asthma or allergy problems make an appointment as soon as possible for the next time you come home. Let the receptionist know you recently had problems and are following my instructions.

Don’t worry if you or your child has already made their sojourn to a far away learning center. The above suggestions can still be addressed by email, phone or the next time you or they are in.

Good Luck Students and Parents!