For 12-year-old Kayden Durall, this is a tough time of year. She suffers from asthma and allergies, and this is the time when ragweed, pollen and mold are at their highest levels of the year. She’s active in cheerleading and basketball and just likes to hang out outside with friends. But she always has to have a rescue inhaler with her in case her allergies trigger an asthma attack.

            In the video, Dr. Selina Gierer (pronounced “gear”), an allergist at The University of Kansas Health System, says patients like Kayden are typically the most affected during what’s called Asthma Peak Week. That’s the one week in late September each year that traditionally sees the most asthma attacks in the country…because of the high pollen, ragweed and mold levels. But she says the asthma and allergy season goes from the first of August till the end of October. Dr. Gierer outlines the symptoms and treatments, and talks about some of the newest therapies available to help asthma patients. She says the key is to use the medicines to prevent problems in the first place.

            Also in the video, Kayden Durall talks about what happens to her, especially in the fall and spring, when pollen counts are high, if she happens to forget her rescue inhaler. She describes how she copes and how she sometimes has to stop what she’s doing to use the inhaler, and says her breathing problems forced her to give up one of her favorite activites, swimming.

            Also, Kayden’s mom, Sarah Durall, explains when they first knew Kayden may have an allergy problem, and took the then three-year-old to a specialist. She says once they began seeing Dr. Gierer, Kayden’s condition improved dramatically with the right medications and the knowledge of when to use them. She says Kayden’s asthma is completely controlled now.

            The video also shows Kayden’s office visit with Dr. Gierer and undergoing a breathing function test.