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Brothers Get to Take Deep Breaths
When Nicholas Pitts, 13, became withdrawn and lost interest in his two favorite outdoor activities - playing basketball and riding bicycles - his parents grew concerned. "He would tell us he was thirsty, or that he was tired or that he needed to sit down. In truth, he didn't want us to know he wasn't feeling well," says his mom, Carol Pitts. Living in Georgia at the time, the Pitts family visited their primary care physician. Nicholas was diagnosed with asthma and prescribed a bronchodilator inhaler, a device that temporarily relieves severe asthma symptoms, which include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. The inhaler helped Nicholas manage the frequency of his asthma symptoms. Over time, however, it became less effective. After moving to Indianapolis, the Pitts family was referred to the Riley Asthma Care Center, where they met with Dr. Frederick Leickly, an IU School of Medicine allergist and clinical immunologist. Dr. Leickly's approach to care was unlike the Pitts' previous experiences. He asked what types of treatments and evaluations Nicholas had received, and whether he had missed school, lost sleep or gone to the emergency room because of his condition. "Asthma is traditionally treated through a combination of monitoring and medication. The Riley Asthma Care Center takes that approach a step further and seeks to identify why the asthma is occurring," says Dr. Leickly. "It's my goal to help families learn what the forces are that trigger a child's condition." Triggers may include environmental factors such as pollen, mold spores, cigarette smoke, house dust mites and pet dander. Identifying triggers and limiting a child's exposure to them is key to treating asthma and allergies. The Pittses learned perennial and seasonal allergens such as dust and ragweed were compounding Nicholas' asthma symptoms. With a new regimen of prescription medication and breathing treatments, Nicholas gained control of his symptoms and began reclaiming the quality of life he once enjoyed. Nicholas' brothers, Christian and Jason, have since been diagnosed with asthma, too - and so has their father, Darren. While the Pitts family has learned to pace themselves, asthma and allergies do not prevent them from enjoying recreational activities. Nicholas, Jason and Christian are competitive swimmers in a community program. Exercise is not a cure for asthma, but regular physical activity is beneficial to a child's self esteem and physical well-being, says Dr. Leickly. "Swimming is an excellent sport for individuals with asthma because of the warm, humidified environment," he says. In addition to regular exercise, the Pitts family benefits from education and proper monitoring of their symptoms. "Riley Hospital definitely takes a family approach to care. Dr. Leickly does a great job of helping the boys understand how they can manage their health, but he also reinforces the idea that mom and dad have a role in helping them stay healthy," says Pitts. Asthma and allergies are conditions that will affect the Pitts boys the rest of their lives, but proper management and therapy should enable them to continue breathing easy. "The boys are happier, more active and more vibrant," says Pitts. "And when they're happy, I'm happy." [Keywords: asthma] |
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