Asthma - What Is The First Step In An Emergency?

If you recognize the signs of a severe flare early there should be enough time to give a quick-relief treatment, call your physician, and get to an emergency department. Most asthma flares have a progression of symptoms over the course of hours, and traveling by ambulance should be unnecessary. Rarely, a child may develop sudden severe symptoms. This type of flare has been associated with risk of death from asthma. In any situation where symptoms seem very severe, activating emergency medical services by calling 911 is appropriate. The time required to travel to a hospital through traffic may be difficult to predict. If your child becomes severely ill in the back of a car, it may be very difficult for you to give appropriate treatment and get help. Ambulances are able to provide albuterol treatments by nebulizer as well as oxygen and other support. Another medicine that ambulance staff may give is epinephrine, an injectable medicine that once was a routine treatment for asthma. An injection of epinephrine may help to open up the airways and allow inhaled medicines to penetrate the lungs better. Ambulances are typically required to go to the nearest hospital, where more definitive care can be provided. At your next regular office visit, discuss with your pediatrician or nurse practitioner which hospital to choose if an emergency situation should arise. Some physicians have arrangements and admitting privileges at specific hospitals where you’ll want to go in an emergency to ensure that your doctor is involved in your child’s care. All hospital emergency departments should be able to provide basic treatment for asthma. In today’s competitive health care market, however, many community hospitals have cut back inpatient pediatric units, and these services may not be available. If that is the case and hospitalization is needed, transport to a larger center or children’s hospital will be required. Intensive care units (ICUs) for children are even more scarce and are typically located only in large regional centers. Although treatment of asthma in adults and children is similar overall, children’s hospitals may offer a more child centered focus, including child oriented teaching materials and access to special personnel who help children cope with medical procedures. Being PreparedBefore an emergency arises, it’s useful to have on hand a list of things to take with you to an emergency department. It’s most important to take a copy of your child’s asthma management plan so the staff knows what your regular physician has prescribed. Take your child’s medicines and devices so that staff can determine that everything is functioning correctly. Peak flow records, if available, can provide information about the current flare and your child’s lung function when he’s well. Take a favorite toy or other security object to help your child pass the time, and plan that you may need to spend the night in the hospital. Things to bring to the emergency room:Asthma management plan Asthma medicines Asthma devices (spacer, nebulizer) Peak flow records Toy or book for your child Overnight needs (toiletries, clothes, etc.) When Robert and his parents arrived at triage (the first section of an emergency department), an ER nurse listened to Robert with a stethoscope. She used a special clip on his finger to determine his oxygen level, which measured 90 percent. The nurse then took Robert back to a room and began the first of several nebulizer treatments. She also gave him a small amount of a liquid steroid medicine by mouth. After several hours, Robert was better but still seemed a bit short of breath. His oxygen level continued to measure 90 percent. The physician discussed the situation with his parents and recommended admitting Robert to the hospital for additional treatments and oxygen.

Apt Treatment for Stroke

An attack of stroke is to worry about. Most people are unable to realize that they had a stroke because they don’t know about it. Yes, most people across the globe do not have the slightest idea of symptoms that indicates the attack of a deadly stroke. The attack may be deadly but proper and timely medical attention will let you survive and lead a normal life. There are several treatment options available for surviving stroke. You need to have an idea about these and work towards reaching out to one of them on time. Here are some of the treatment options available for stroke:1) Self care Stroke is known to be a medical emergency. Each second counts and one needs to call for emergency help immediately. Remember that brain cells start dying within four minutes of the beginning of a stroke. Call for emergency medical transport to a nearest hospital’s emergency department. The doctor provides good treatment or acute stroke must be provided by a doctor and that too within a short period of the beginning of the symptoms. Any treatment will only benefit when given on time. You should never wait for the symptom to go away. Don’t even think of driving yourself or want for a ride to the hospital. 2) Medical treatment You should know that the initial treatment for stroke is really supportive. Under the course of a medical treatment, the doctor will give fluids via an IV. This is to prevent the person from getting dehydrated during a stroke. Another treatment is to give oxygen. This makes sure that the brain is getting the maximum amount of supply required. The doctor will also treat you for difficulty in speaking. 3) Other The patient will be asked not to eat or drink until he or she is able to swallow. Special care is taken on not to lower the blood pressure too much. This will keep a good blood supply to the brain. You can also get several other medical treatments such as getting pills, IV injections or nitroglycerin past for lowering the blood pressure. In case, the blood pressure is very high, you can be placed on a continuous IV flow of medication. 4) Acute stroke treatmentIn case of an acute stroke, you will be admitted to the hospital to monitor as well as further testing. This will make it easy for the doctor to figure out the exact cause of the stroke. This will make it easier for the doctors to find ways to prevent a future stroke. Remember that once you have had a stroke, you will be at greater risk of having an additional stroke. 5) Regular Check ups You need to focus of check ups of cholesterol and blood pressure levels. 6) Surgery Certain patients may be required to undergo a carotid surgery. This is because some patients have a narrow artery in the front of the neck on one side of the artery. This restricts the blood flow towards the brain. The surgery opens and clears the artery. Some doctors may also place a small cylinder in it to increase the flow. - Rush for immediate medical help once you notice symptoms of stroke.

Generic lipitor, which is used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia helps in reducing the cholesterol. It also prevents certain types of heart problems and reduces the risk of heart attacks.

Generic lipitor (Atorvastatin) also causes minor and major side effects. Minor ones are mostly temporary. The ones with high intensity need immediate medical attention.

Some side effects produced by generic lipitor are fever, pain, tenderness, blistering, and peeling of skin, cramps and also includes yellow or brown urine. If the intensity of the side effects is more then go to the nearest hospital.

Generic lipitor interacts with certain drugs and certain food items, which in turn increase the intensity of side effects produced by the drug. If you are regularly taking drinks or have a habit of smoking it is better that you inform your physician while he prescribes generic lipitor.

Here are some of the drugs when interact with generic lipitor increases the side effects - Amiodarone, Barbiturates, Carbamazepine, Digoxin, Diltiazem, Herbal medicines such as Went Yeast, Medicines used for treating fungal infections, cholesterol and HIV infections, Nefazodone, Nicardipine, Oxcarbazepine, Phenytoin and Verapamil.

Before you start using the generic lipitor it is better to ask your doctor

Whether generic lipitor will suit you?

What are the drug interactions and side effects of generic lipitor?

How generic lipitor works and ways to reduce the side effects of generic lipitor?

The recommended dosage of generic lipitor is 10mg once a day. Overdosage can causes serious consequences and requires immediate medical attention. If you have kidney problem or above 65 years of age then you must tell your physician so that he will prescribe the dosage based on your conditions. If you happen to miss the dose, then try to take it as soon as possible. If it is time for next dosage then it is better to leave the missed dosage.

To know more information about generic lipitor visit International Drug Mart’s website.

If you recognize the signs of a severe flare early there should be enough time to give a quick-relief treatment, call your physician, and get to an emergency department. Most asthma flares have a progression of symptoms over the course of hours, and traveling by ambulance should be unnecessary. Rarely, a child may develop sudden severe symptoms. This type of flare has been associated with risk of death from asthma. In any situation where symptoms seem very severe, activating emergency medical services by calling 911 is appropriate. The time required to travel to a hospital through traffic may be difficult to predict. If your child becomes severely ill in the back of a car, it may be very difficult for you to give appropriate treatment and get help. Ambulances are able to provide albuterol treatments by nebulizer as well as oxygen and other support. Another medicine that ambulance staff may give is epinephrine, an injectable medicine that once was a routine treatment for asthma. An injection of epinephrine may help to open up the airways and allow inhaled medicines to penetrate the lungs better. Ambulances are typically required to go to the nearest hospital, where more definitive care can be provided. At your next regular office visit, discuss with your pediatrician or nurse practitioner which hospital to choose if an emergency situation should arise. Some physicians have arrangements and admitting privileges at specific hospitals where you’ll want to go in an emergency to ensure that your doctor is involved in your child’s care. All hospital emergency departments should be able to provide basic treatment for asthma. In today’s competitive health care market, however, many community hospitals have cut back inpatient pediatric units, and these services may not be available. If that is the case and hospitalization is needed, transport to a larger center or children’s hospital will be required. Intensive care units (ICUs) for children are even more scarce and are typically located only in large regional centers. Although treatment of asthma in adults and children is similar overall, children’s hospitals may offer a more child centered focus, including child oriented teaching materials and access to special personnel who help children cope with medical procedures. Being Prepared Before an emergency arises, it’s useful to have on hand a list of things to take with you to an emergency department. It’s most important to take a copy of your child’s asthma management plan so the staff knows what your regular physician has prescribed. Take your child’s medicines and devices so that staff can determine that everything is functioning correctly. Peak flow records, if available, can provide information about the current flare and your child’s lung function when he’s well. Take a favorite toy or other security object to help your child pass the time, and plan that you may need to spend the night in the hospital. Things to bring to the emergency room: Asthma management plan Asthma medicines Asthma devices (spacer, nebulizer) Peak flow records Toy or book for your child Overnight needs (toiletries, clothes, etc.) When Robert and his parents arrived at triage (the first section of an emergency department), an ER nurse listened to Robert with a stethoscope. She used a special clip on his finger to determine his oxygen level, which measured 90 percent. The nurse then took Robert back to a room and began the first of several nebulizer treatments. She also gave him a small amount of a liquid steroid medicine by mouth. After several hours, Robert was better but still seemed a bit short of breath. His oxygen level continued to measure 90 percent. The physician discussed the situation with his parents and recommended admitting Robert to the hospital for additional treatments and oxygen. Hgh facts, articles, and news on HGH, weight loss.

Asthma - What Is The First Step In An Emergency?
by Alien

If you recognize the signs of a severe flare early there should be enough time to give a quick-relief treatment, call your physician, and get to an emergency department. Most asthma flares have a progression of symptoms over the course of hours, and traveling by ambulance should be unnecessary.

Rarely, a child may develop sudden severe symptoms. This type of flare has been associated with risk of death from asthma. In any situation where symptoms seem very severe, activating emergency medical services by calling 911 is appropriate. The time required to travel to a hospital through traffic may be difficult to predict. If your child becomes severely ill in the back of a car, it may be very difficult for you to give appropriate treatment and get help. Ambulances are able to provide albuterol treatments by nebulizer as well as oxygen and other support. Another medicine that ambulance staff may give is epinephrine, an injectable medicine that once was a routine treatment for asthma. An injection of epinephrine may help to open up the airways and allow inhaled medicines to penetrate the lungs better.

Ambulances are typically required to go to the nearest hospital, where more definitive care can be provided. At your next regular office visit, discuss with your pediatrician or nurse practitioner which hospital to choose if an emergency situation should arise. Some physicians have arrangements and admitting privileges at specific hospitals where you’ll want to go in an emergency to ensure that your doctor is involved in your child’s care.

All hospital emergency departments should be able to provide basic treatment for asthma. In today’s competitive health care market, however, many community hospitals have cut back inpatient pediatric units, and these services may not be available. If that is the case and hospitalization is needed, transport to a larger center or children’s hospital will be required. Intensive care units (ICUs) for children are even more scarce and are typically located only in large regional centers. Although treatment of asthma in adults and children is similar overall, children’s hospitals may offer a more child centered focus, including child oriented teaching materials and access to special personnel who help children cope with medical procedures.

Being Prepared

Before an emergency arises, it’s useful to have on hand a list of things to take with you to an emergency department. It’s most important to take a copy of your child’s asthma management plan so the staff knows what your regular physician has prescribed. Take your child’s medicines and devices so that staff can determine that everything is functioning correctly. Peak flow records, if available, can provide information about the current flare and your child’s lung function when he’s well. Take a favorite toy or other security object to help your child pass the time, and plan that you may need to spend the night in the hospital.

Things to bring to the emergency room:

Asthma management plan

Asthma medicines

Asthma devices (spacer, nebulizer)

Peak flow records

Toy or book for your child

Overnight needs (toiletries, clothes, etc.)

When Robert and his parents arrived at triage (the first section of an emergency department), an ER nurse listened to Robert with a stethoscope. She used a special clip on his finger to determine his oxygen level, which measured 90 percent. The nurse then took Robert back to a room and began the first of several nebulizer treatments. She also gave him a small amount of a liquid steroid medicine by mouth. After several hours, Robert was better but still seemed a bit short of breath. His oxygen level continued to measure 90 percent. The physician discussed the situation with his parents and recommended admitting Robert to the hospital for additional treatments and oxygen.

An attack of stroke is to worry about. Most people are unable to realize that they had a stroke because they don’t know about it. Yes, most people across the globe do not have the slightest idea of symptoms that indicates the attack of a deadly stroke.

The attack may be deadly but proper and timely medical attention will let you survive and lead a normal life. There are several treatment options available for surviving stroke. You need to have an idea about these and work towards reaching out to one of them on time.

Here are some of the treatment options available for stroke:

1) Self care

Stroke is known to be a medical emergency. Each second counts and one needs to call for emergency help immediately. Remember that brain cells start dying within four minutes of the beginning of a stroke. Call for emergency medical transport to a nearest hospital’s emergency department.

The doctor provides good treatment or acute stroke must be provided by a doctor and that too within a short period of the beginning of the symptoms. Any treatment will only benefit when given on time. You should never wait for the symptom to go away. Don’t even think of driving yourself or want for a ride to the hospital.

2) Medical treatment

You should know that the initial treatment for stroke is really supportive. Under the course of a medical treatment, the doctor will give fluids via an IV. This is to prevent the person from getting dehydrated during a stroke. Another treatment is to give oxygen. This makes sure that the brain is getting the maximum amount of supply required. The doctor will also treat you for difficulty in speaking.

3) Other

The patient will be asked not to eat or drink until he or she is able to swallow. Special care is taken on not to lower the blood pressure too much. This will keep a good blood supply to the brain. You can also get several other medical treatments such as getting pills, IV injections or nitroglycerin past for lowering the blood pressure. In case, the blood pressure is very high, you can be placed on a continuous IV flow of medication.

4) Acute stroke treatment

In case of an acute stroke, you will be admitted to the hospital to monitor as well as further testing. This will make it easy for the doctor to figure out the exact cause of the stroke. This will make it easier for the doctors to find ways to prevent a future stroke. Remember that once you have had a stroke, you will be at greater risk of having an additional stroke.

5) Regular Check ups

You need to focus of check ups of cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

6) Surgery
Certain patients may be required to undergo a carotid surgery. This is because some patients have a narrow artery in the front of the neck on one side of the artery. This restricts the blood flow towards the brain. The surgery opens and clears the artery. Some doctors may also place a small cylinder in it to increase the flow.

- Rush for immediate medical help once you notice symptoms of stroke.

For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about STROKE please visit STROKE REPORT and STRESS TIPS

Preterm Labor

Preterm labor is also known as premature labor. Normally, preterm labor occurs when you begin to experience regular contractions or cervical dilation before the 37 weeks of pregnancy are complete. For a normal delivery, the baby is required to stay in the mother’s womb for 38 to 42 weeks. This much time is essential for the baby to develop his organs and tissues.

Preterm labor and preterm birth?

If you start having regular contractions that cause your cervix to begin to open (dilate) or thin out (efface) before you reach 37 weeks of pregnancy, you’re in preterm labor, also known as premature labor. If you deliver your baby before 37 weeks, it’s called a preterm birth and your baby is considered premature.

What Happens During Preterm Labor?

If you think that you may be experiencing preterm labor, contact your health care provider immediately or go to the nearest hospital. You will likely be monitored for contractions and your caregiver will check your baby’s heart rate for signs of distress. Your health care provider will also test you for any signs of infection and for cervical dilation or effacement.

Signs of Preterm Labor

If preterm labor is found early enough, delivery can sometimes be prevented or postponed. This will give your baby extra time to grow and mature.Constant backache or pressure without any other signs is not likely to be preterm labor

Swelling or puffiness of the face or hands, a sign ofSudden gush of clear, watery fluid from your vagina

Oftentimes preterm labor will feel like menstrual cramping or a low dull backache. Even if the pain doesn’t come and go like contractions normally would, it should still be considered a warning sign.

The reasons for preterm labor are varied and not much conclusive research has been done. Some medical conditions can cause it as can some anatomical abnormalities. These should be discussed with your doctor early in labor if anything is known about them.

Prevention of preterm labor

Although not all preterm labor can be prevented, there are some steps you can take to prevent preterm labor. Drink plenty of water - 8 to 10 glasses a day. Dehydration can cause contractions so staying well hydrated can help prevent contractions. Empty your bladder frequently, about every 2 to 3 hours.

Preterm labor can happen to any woman

Only about half the women who have preterm labor fall into any known risk group. About 12 percent of births (1 in in the United States are preterm. Babies who are born preterm are at higher risk of needing hospitalization, having long-term health problems and of dying than babies born at the right time.

How is Preterm Labor Treated?

The best key is always prevention and early detection. Make sure to ask your practitioner to discuss the signs and symptoms of preterm labor to you and your partner at your next visit. Prompt medical treatment is aimed at halting or postponing premature labor. Some of the treatments involved with preterm labor include Hydration.

Your baby’s weight and age. Ideally, preterm labor is delayed until a baby is mature enough that complications after birth are unlikely.The stage of your labor and its rate of progression. For example, when your cervix is well effaced (thinned) and dilated (opened) beyond 4cm, tocolytic medication to slow labor is less likely to be effective.

cervical cerclage - a procedure used to suture the cervical opening. Cerclage is used for women with an incompetent cervix. This is a condition in which the cervix is physically weak and unable to stay closed during pregnancy.

delivery - if treatments do not stop preterm labor or if the fetus or mother is in danger, delivery of the baby may occur. Cesarean delivery may be recommended in certain cases.

Preterm labor is not always treated. When a pregnancy is nearing term (about 37 or more weeks), or when the mother or her fetus has a serious medical problem, preterm labor is usually allowed to continue until delivery.

It use to be treating bee stings did not go beyond Mom pulling out the stinger if it was still present, washing the area well, putting on some kind of oitment and a band aid. Now, as our awareness as increased and the fact that a lot of people react strongly to the venom that is injected, bee stings are not to be taken lightly. Most people that are severely allergic to bee stings will have identification on them to let a person know so treatment can be given accordingly.For most people, avoidance is the best medicine. Bees when in danger, put out a scent that will attract other bees, and should you happen to still be around, you will get stung.Therefore, leave the immediate area for a few minutes, check when you go back to make sure the bees are not still searching for you.While avoiding them is best, this is not always going to happen. There will be times where you come upon a nest and before you can do anything else, it happens. Now the key to treating a bee sting is to immediately pull out the stinger. Honeybees leave the stinger in, while wasps, hornet and yellow jackets do not. It use to be common practice to scrape the stinger for fear of causing more venom to be pushed into the wound. It is now better to remove the stinger all together as the reaction will be minimized as oppose to leaving the tip embedded.All bee stings will produce pain and reddening around the wound. It is imperative that one watches for symptoms to appear. Hives and shortness of breath could be the onset of anaphylaxis shock which needs to be treated immediately by a doctor. One should check to see if the person stung carries an epinephrine auto-injector. Help them to use this if they do. This will help with the allergic reaction.Take them to the nearest hospital for further treatment.One also needs to take a person to the hospital if they have been stung numerous times, 10 or more being the determining number. Also, any stings inside the nose, mouth or throat need immediate attention as these can lead to a more adverse reaction.Once the stinger is removed and the person does not appear to be having a severe reaction, wash the area well. The area will normally be red and swollen. Use ice packs to reduce swelling. The pain will go away fairly quickly, but if necessary one can give ibuprofen or the like for the pain. The itching that will be prevalent can be treated with antihistamines or calamine lotion. A quick wash with bleach with an immediate, full rinsing will also take away the itching.To summarize:
- Pull the stinger out immediately in all cases.
- Strong reactions, take to emergency room.
- Wash area, use ice pack for swelling.
- Use antihistamines or calamine lotion for itching.Related Articles:HOW TO GET RID OF SCALE INSECTS -> SCALE INSECTSRose Diseases

Preterm Labor

Preterm labor is also known as premature labor. Normally, preterm labor occurs when you begin to experience regular contractions or cervical dilation before the 37 weeks of pregnancy are complete. For a normal delivery, the baby is required to stay in the mother’s womb for 38 to 42 weeks. This much time is essential for the baby to develop his organs and tissues.

Preterm labor and preterm birth?

If you start having regular contractions that cause your cervix to begin to open (dilate) or thin out (efface) before you reach 37 weeks of pregnancy, you’re in preterm labor, also known as premature labor. If you deliver your baby before 37 weeks, it’s called a preterm birth and your baby is considered premature.

What Happens During Preterm Labor?

If you think that you may be experiencing preterm labor, contact your health care provider immediately or go to the nearest hospital. You will likely be monitored for contractions and your caregiver will check your baby’s heart rate for signs of distress. Your health care provider will also test you for any signs of infection and for cervical dilation or effacement.

Signs of Preterm Labor

If preterm labor is found early enough, delivery can sometimes be prevented or postponed. This will give your baby extra time to grow and mature.Constant backache or pressure without any other signs is not likely to be preterm labor

Swelling or puffiness of the face or hands, a sign ofSudden gush of clear, watery fluid from your vagina

Oftentimes preterm labor will feel like menstrual cramping or a low dull backache. Even if the pain doesn’t come and go like contractions normally would, it should still be considered a warning sign.

The reasons for preterm labor are varied and not much conclusive research has been done. Some medical conditions can cause it as can some anatomical abnormalities. These should be discussed with your doctor early in labor if anything is known about them.

Prevention of preterm labor

Although not all preterm labor can be prevented, there are some steps you can take to prevent preterm labor. Drink plenty of water - 8 to 10 glasses a day. Dehydration can cause contractions so staying well hydrated can help prevent contractions. Empty your bladder frequently, about every 2 to 3 hours.

Preterm labor can happen to any woman

Only about half the women who have preterm labor fall into any known risk group. About 12 percent of births (1 in in the United States are preterm. Babies who are born preterm are at higher risk of needing hospitalization, having long-term health problems and of dying than babies born at the right time.

How is Preterm Labor Treated?

The best key is always prevention and early detection. Make sure to ask your practitioner to discuss the signs and symptoms of preterm labor to you and your partner at your next visit. Prompt medical treatment is aimed at halting or postponing premature labor. Some of the treatments involved with preterm labor include Hydration.

Your baby’s weight and age. Ideally, preterm labor is delayed until a baby is mature enough that complications after birth are unlikely.The stage of your labor and its rate of progression. For example, when your cervix is well effaced (thinned) and dilated (opened) beyond 4cm, tocolytic medication to slow labor is less likely to be effective.

cervical cerclage - a procedure used to suture the cervical opening. Cerclage is used for women with an incompetent cervix. This is a condition in which the cervix is physically weak and unable to stay closed during pregnancy.

delivery - if treatments do not stop preterm labor or if the fetus or mother is in danger, delivery of the baby may occur. Cesarean delivery may be recommended in certain cases.

Preterm labor is not always treated. When a pregnancy is nearing term (about 37 or more weeks), or when the mother or her fetus has a serious medical problem, preterm labor is usually allowed to continue until delivery.

If you recognize the signs of a severe flare early there should be enough time to give a quick-relief treatment, call your physician, and get to an emergency department. Most asthma flares have a progression of symptoms over the course of hours, and traveling by ambulance should be unnecessary. Rarely, a child may develop sudden severe symptoms. This type of flare has been associated with risk of death from asthma. In any situation where symptoms seem very severe, activating emergency medical services by calling 911 is appropriate. The time required to travel to a hospital through traffic may be difficult to predict. If your child becomes severely ill in the back of a car, it may be very difficult for you to give appropriate treatment and get help. Ambulances are able to provide albuterol treatments by nebulizer as well as oxygen and other support. Another medicine that ambulance staff may give is epinephrine, an injectable medicine that once was a routine treatment for asthma. An injection of epinephrine may help to open up the airways and allow inhaled medicines to penetrate the lungs better. Ambulances are typically required to go to the nearest hospital, where more definitive care can be provided. At your next regular office visit, discuss with your pediatrician or nurse practitioner which hospital to choose if an emergency situation should arise. Some physicians have arrangements and admitting privileges at specific hospitals where you’ll want to go in an emergency to ensure that your doctor is involved in your child’s care. All hospital emergency departments should be able to provide basic treatment for asthma. In today’s competitive health care market, however, many community hospitals have cut back inpatient pediatric units, and these services may not be available. If that is the case and hospitalization is needed, transport to a larger center or children’s hospital will be required. Intensive care units (ICUs) for children are even more scarce and are typically located only in large regional centers. Although treatment of asthma in adults and children is similar overall, children’s hospitals may offer a more child centered focus, including child oriented teaching materials and access to special personnel who help children cope with medical procedures. Being Prepared Before an emergency arises, it’s useful to have on hand a list of things to take with you to an emergency department. It’s most important to take a copy of your child’s asthma management plan so the staff knows what your regular physician has prescribed. Take your child’s medicines and devices so that staff can determine that everything is functioning correctly. Peak flow records, if available, can provide information about the current flare and your child’s lung function when he’s well. Take a favorite toy or other security object to help your child pass the time, and plan that you may need to spend the night in the hospital. Things to bring to the emergency room: Asthma management plan Asthma medicines Asthma devices (spacer, nebulizer) Peak flow records Toy or book for your child Overnight needs (toiletries, clothes, etc.) When Robert and his parents arrived at triage (the first section of an emergency department), an ER nurse listened to Robert with a stethoscope. She used a special clip on his finger to determine his oxygen level, which measured 90 percent. The nurse then took Robert back to a room and began the first of several nebulizer treatments. She also gave him a small amount of a liquid steroid medicine by mouth. After several hours, Robert was better but still seemed a bit short of breath. His oxygen level continued to measure 90 percent. The physician discussed the situation with his parents and recommended admitting Robert to the hospital for additional treatments and oxygen.