interesting observation

my personal opinion: prevalance of everything needing to be antibacterial and practically sterilized. No challenges to the immune system makes for a very bored body. The slightest irritation comes along the the body goes into an overreaction. Heavens forbid if the kids can just go outside, play and get dirty.

I agree. I also wonder if maybe the older kids are keeping inhalers in their backpacks without telling anyone? You would be surprised how many parents think this is ok.

In the past a lot of pediatricians were reluctant to diagnose a child with asthma. Even today I hear parents say "No, he doesn't have asthma, he has "chronic bronchitis." Well, that IS asthma, as is Reactive Airway Disease and "chronic wheezing." In the past a lot of peds gave their coughers Albuteral liquid, which is next to useless, IMO. Nowdays, I find that peds are more willing to make the diagnosis early and treat appropriately with inhaled steroids and rescue inhalers, in an effort to prevent long-term lung damage. When treated correctly a lot of kids will have there asthma get much better in their teen years.

ETA: My own 17yo daughter wasn't treated appropriately until 2 years ago. I kept asking for referrals to a pulmonologist, but the ped turned me down. I changed peds twice and couldn't get a referral. Finally she ended up in the ER with a full blown pneumonia, her 4th, and a raging 104 degree fever! The ER doc diagnosed probably asthma and wrote a letter to my ped. She finally gave us the referral and was surprised when the pulmonologist confirmed the diagnosis.