Spring Asthma Triggers- Win a signed copy of my book.

What is an Asthma Trigger?

An asthma trigger is anything which causes the inflammation of the airways, leading to the symptoms of coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, that you normally would associate with asthma. Your triggers can be numerous and varied. They can be in the form of an allergen or an environmental exposure to an irritant.

Common allergens at this time of year can include many of the spring pollens. Did you know that the tree pollens become active as early as the end of February? Tree and grass pollens are some of the more common allergens which trigger asthma. Also, did you know that asthma and hay fever often co-exist? Interestingly, Hay fever alone can be an independent risk factor in the development of asthma.

Some research suggests that when hay fever and asthma co-exist, treating the hay fever with nasal inhaled steroids can effectively control the asthma at the same time.

Would you like a chance to win a signed copy of my book, 'Asthma-the Essential Guide'?
If so, follow the link and get 'liking' and 'sharing'. The winner will be identified next Sunday. Good luck!

 http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/172305162836612/?fref=ts

A children's short story.

I hope you like my children's story. It's about a little boy and his brilliant invention!

SENSIBLE SCOTT’S  NEW PUPPY.

 

By Catherine Short.

 

8.3.13

 

 

Now here is a very strange and happy story about a sensible boy named Scott. He liked vegetables and he liked to help out at home. Scott was kind and helpful to others and had beautiful manners. He was always invited to children’s parties, as he never misbehaved. Carry on reading and you will soon find out that being sensible helped Scott to save someone very special.

     Scott’s new, very best friend in the whole world was his cute little Cocker Spaniel puppy, named Pippin.  The golden haired puppy was given to Scott for his seventh birthday, as a special present for being such a good and helpful little boy. Scott was delighted to have the much-loved pet. He had been begging his parents’ for a puppy for a very long time. Scott’s Mum and Dad loved the dog also.

     They were all very worried when it soon became obvious that all was not well with the little dog. Pippin kept sneezing whenever he went near people. Also, he would cough and wheeze when he was asleep during the night. Pippin didn’t seem to be able to run and play and chase for sticks like the other dogs in the park. He became out of breath far too quickly.

     On one particular night, Pippin became very poorly indeed, and Scott and his parents’ feared that he might be seriously ill. Luckily, by the next morning, Pippin seemed much better.

     Scott’s parents’ were very concerned that they had bought an unhealthy dog from the breeder. Scott overheard his parents discussing this one night.

     “I think we may have to take Pippin back dear,” Mum whispered to Dad. Scott was distraught! He couldn’t allow his puppy to go back! Scott couldn’t stop thinking about Pippin and the mysterious illness. Suddenly he had an idea!

     “ Mum. I think I know what’s wrong with Pippin,” Mum looked at Scott with a kind, but sad expression.

     “I think he’s got asthma!” he continued.

     “I don’t think he could have, dear,”  Mum replied.

      Scott was not going to be put off. Scott had asthma, and he knew all about this illness as he had been to see his practice nurse at the doctor’s surgery many times. Being sensible, he had listened carefully to what the nurse had told him about his Asthma.He knew all about the things that made it worse. Scott knew exactly how to take his inhalers and how they helped him to breathe more easily.  Thank goodness he had listened!

     Scott explained to his Mum that Pippin seemed to be worse around people, and that Pippin appeared more ill when he exercised. He also seemed to cough and wheeze late into the night. Mum realised that Scott was perfectly right. Pippin was showing all the signs of Asthma! 

     Now Scott’s father liked to think of himself as a bit of an inventor. He was always trying to invent some new gadget that would be useful. However, he hadn’t invented anything of real value so far, until now that is. When Scott’s Dad heard about his son’s brilliant discovery, he worked all day and night until he came up with the perfect solution for Pippin’s problem.

    He designed a ‘Doggy-haler’. It looked just like the plastic bubble that Scott had used to help him take his medicine. The “Doggy-haler” was round, with an opening at one end where the inhaler fitted perfectly. The other end went over Pippin’s head and attached to his collar.

     As an experiment, Scott and his parents gave two puffs of Scott’s brown inhaler through the “doggy-haler” twice a day, and two puffs of the blue inhaler whenever the dog had his breathing problems. Within two weeks, Pippin started to make a miraculous recovery.

     Life for Scott and his dog became pretty perfect after that. Soon Pippin was able to run and play for hours at a time. He never kept the family awake at night and he could enjoy hours of cuddles without sneezing. He grew to be a fine, strong, dog that the whole village admired.

     Another marvellous thing happened due to Scott’s clever idea. His Dad’s invention became very popular. Before long, all the vets in the country were talking about the brilliant ‘Doggy-halers’.  Scott’s Dad couldn’t keep up with the number of orders and had to expand his business. In no time at all, Scott and his family became very rich. Thank goodness for sensible Scott. He truly was a wonderful and clever boy and to Pippin, he was a real friend.

 

Word count 770  

 

THE END