Asthma – SuperCare Health

How to Create a Flu-Prevention Plan for Your Family This School Year

Posted: 09/05/2024

Updated: 09/05/2024

By: SuperCare Health

Est Read Time: 3 min

As the school year kicks off, it’s crucial to ensure that your family is prepared to combat the flu. With children spending more time in close contact with others, the risk of flu spread increases. Additionally, if anyone in your family has a respiratory condition, such as asthma or COPD, taking extra precautions becomes even more important. Creating a proactive flu-prevention plan can help protect your loved ones and keep everyone healthy throughout the school year.

Daily Habits to Reduce Flu Risk

The foundation of a strong flu-prevention plan starts with daily habits that reduce the risk of infection. Encourage your children to wash their hands regularly, especially before meals and after coughing or sneezing. Teach them to avoid touching their face, as the flu virus can enter the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth. Additionally, make sure everyone in the family is getting enough sleep, as a well-rested body is better equipped to fight off illness.

For families managing respiratory conditions, it’s also important to monitor air quality and reduce exposure to environmental triggers that could increase symptoms. Ensure that medications for conditions like asthma are taken as prescribed and that inhalers are readily accessible.

Stocking Up on Flu Season Essentials

Being prepared with the right supplies can make all the difference during flu season. Create a flu-prevention kit that includes items like hand sanitizers, tissues, disinfecting wipes, and face masks. It’s also wise to have a thermometer, over-the-counter flu medications, and plenty of fluids on hand. These essentials will help you manage symptoms effectively if someone in your family falls ill.

For those with respiratory conditions, consider adding a few specialized items to your kit. A nebulizer may be essential for administering breathing treatments and make sure you have a suitable supply of prescription medications and a plan for refills.

Monitoring and Managing Symptoms

Early detection and proper management of flu symptoms can prevent the spread of the virus within your household. Monitor your children for any signs of the flu, such as fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue. If symptoms do appear, keep the affected family member at home and ensure they get plenty of rest and fluids. Use your flu-prevention kit to manage symptoms and consult with a healthcare professional if needed.

For those with respiratory conditions, extra caution is necessary. The flu can worsen symptoms and lead to serious complications, so it’s crucial to act quickly. Ensure that any breathing issues are addressed immediately, and consult your healthcare provider if there’s a significant change in respiratory symptoms.

By taking these proactive steps, you can create a comprehensive flu-prevention plan that will help protect your family during the school year. Whether you’re dealing with the flu or managing a respiratory condition, being prepared and alert is key to keeping everyone healthy and minimizing the impact of the flu on your daily life. SuperCare Health is here to support you on your healthcare journey. To learn more about our comprehensive respiratory care programs, visit our patients page online. To get in touch with a SuperCare Health customer service representative, call (800) 206-4880.

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7 Shocking Facts About Asthma

Posted: 08/30/2024

Updated: 08/30/2024

By: SuperCare Health

Est Read Time: 3 min

As many as 33 million Americans use a PAP machine to help treat their sleep disorders, yet many patients have difficulty accessing the supplies and equipment needed to follow their prescribed treatment plans. SuperCare Health is here to help with new face scanning technology that offers patients the perfect PAP mask fit on the first try! With just a few quick clicks, the technology allows patients to virtually scan their faces using their own mobile devices and matches them with a mask that fits them best from a wide selection of options. Reducing the burden of visiting a doctor’s office for a mask fitting, SuperCare Health hopes this new technology will make sleep disorder treatment easier, more cost effective, and more efficient for patients. Here’s how it works!

Fact #1

Asthma is more prevalent in females than males. 9.7% of the adult female population in the US has been diagnosed with asthma, compared to only 6.2% of the adult male population.¹

Fact #2

Each year, more than $50 billion is spent in the United States treating asthma, with more than 94,000 inpatient hospital stays and 900,000 emergency room visits. ²

Fact #3

Half of people with asthma have at least one asthma attack each year, with adults (39.6%) more likely to have an attack than children (38.7%). ³

Fact #4

Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children in the world. It is also one of the leading causes of school absenteeism. Additionally, children living in inner cities experience more emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths due to asthma than the general population. ⁴

Fact #5

Various environmental triggers can worsen asthma symptoms, including extreme weather conditions, abrupt changes in the weather, exposure to allergens, irritants in the air, strong odors, smoke, exercise, and even common illnesses like the cold and flu. ⁵

Fact #6

When left untreated, those with asthma may experience sleep disruption, tiredness during the day, and poor concentration. This can greatly affect the ability to complete daily activities, which can have a big impact on families and their community. ⁶

Fact #7

When an asthma attack occurs, quickly accessing emergency interventions such as inhalers can be difficult, especially for children. Using a spacer device makes it easier to take medicine via an aerosol inhaler in an emergency situation. A spacer is a plastic container with a mouthpiece or mask at one end and a hole for the inhaler in the other. It traps the asthma medication in a plastic container and removes the need to time the speed of medication inhaled. This allows for more of the medication to get to the needed area in the lungs instead of in the mouth. ⁷

Want an easier way to manage your asthma? Need help figuring out the next steps for your respiratory care? Schedule a telehealth appointment with one of SuperCare Health’s leading clinicians, or ask your doctor how to enroll in one of our patient care programs. From state of the art asthma management, to CPAP and BiPAP resupply, to our new diabetes care division, SuperCare Health will stay by your side on your healthcare journey. Learn more by chatting with one of our patient care representatives today!

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¹ American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

² American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

³Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

⁴World Health Organization and CDC Healthy Schools

⁵American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

⁶World Health Organization

⁷Nationwide Children’s Hospital

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Top 5 Things Patients Should Know about Managing Their Chronic Respiratory Conditions

Posted: 07/15/2024

Updated: 07/26/2024

By: SuperCare Health

Est Read Time: 4 min

More than 34 million people in the United States struggle with a chronic lung disease, such as asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis. As part of SuperCare Health’s commitment to improve the lives of patients with respiratory conditions, we’re pleased to share information that can help lower your cost of care and give you greater freedom to maintain your own treatment plan. Here are the top five things you should know from our leading respiratory clinicians.

Ensure you fully understand your diagnosis. Don’t be afraid to ask questions at your appointments and follow up if your questions aren’t answered. Understanding how your disease developed, what can worsen or improve your condition, and the symptoms to monitor will not only save you time at the doctor and reduce the cost of care, but it will also lower your chances of hospitalization.

Know your body’s cues and have an emergency plan. Keep a log of your symptoms and triggers and ask your medical team to explain the red flags specific to your diagnosis. This will help you identify when and what worsens your condition. Work with your clinical team to obtain self-monitoring tools, such as a pulse oximeter, peak flow meter, and blood pressure monitor. You can also explore programs that provide remote patient monitoring, including SuperCare Health’s respiratory care programs. Most importantly, have an emergency plan in place that includes the following should a flare up occur:

How do I assess whether I need emergency medical care?
Who do I call for help? Which doctor? Which family member? Who are my emergency contacts?
Where is my closest urgent care and emergency room?
Where is my full list of medications and which must I take with me when receiving emergency care?
What items should I pack in my bag when I need to leave quickly for an emergency?

Follow your treatment plan as prescribed. Be sure to use all medications and therapies as prescribed by your care team. Don’t hesitate to contact your doctor if you are having difficulty following your prescribed plan. Many respiratory therapies work like eyeglasses: If you take them off, they no longer help. It’s also important to remember that even if you feel better, that is even more reason to maintain your current care plan as prescribed.

Find the best selfcare techniques that work for you. Small changes to your daily activities can have a big impact on your overall health. Under the supervision of a medical professional, start with gradually increasing your movement in a way that is safe, fun, and effective for you. Consider learning partner breathing techniques along with other movement-based activities recommended by your care team.

Stay motivated and build your support network. Always remember that you are not alone. Many hospitals, nonprofits, and community centers offer free resources and classes, including support groups for those who share your unique challenges. As you build your support network, create a list of attainable goals that will improve your quality of life, and ask your friends and family to stay by your side as you achieve those goals. Additionally, you may want to establish a buddy system with a friend that you can count on in a time of need. You can also talk to the experts at the American Lung Association HelpLine by calling 1-800-586-4872.

From quick and easy prescription refills to telehealth appointments with our leading respiratory therapists, SuperCare Health is here to support you on your healthcare journey. To learn more about our comprehensive respiratory care programs, visit our patients page online. Read about our newest division, SuperCare Diabetes, by clicking here. To get in touch with a SuperCare Health customer service representative, call (800) 206-4880.

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