Many children love to play catch without thinking. However, your child may have asthma and find it more difficult to catch a breath while not wheezing, coughing, or feeling tight in their chest.

The National Asthma Prevention Program and Education Program of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends that your child work with their doctor to help them take the following key steps:

* Tell you what medication your child needs to control asthmaSymptoms. For people with persistent asthma, inhaled corticosteroids are the best medication to reduce the inflammation.

* Give you a written asthma action plan that spells out what to do every day to control your child’s asthma and how to handle symptoms or asthma attacks.

* Check your child’s asthma control at regular visits and adjust medication as needed to keep your child’s asthma in control.

* Schedule regular follow-up visits (at least every six months).

* Work with you to identify your child’s asthma triggers, like tobacco smoke, dust or pet dander, and help your child avoid them.

* Ask before you leave the doctor’s office or pharmacy for someone to show you and your child how to use each prescribed medication and device correctly.

“When at school, at home or elsewhere, children need to know how to use their asthma devices properly so that their medications can have the greatest benefit,”James P. Kiley (Ph.D.), director of the NHLBI Division for Lung Diseases.

A recent study of asthmatic children aged 8-16 revealed that the majority of them did not follow all the necessary steps to use an asthma device, such as a peak flow meter, dry powder inhaler or metered dose inhaler.

“We found that very simple steps were being missed,”Betsy Sleath Ph.D. was the study’s main author. She said that patients and parents should not be afraid to ask for help. A patient’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or asthma educator can help them by showing them the right technique, providing feedback and answering any questions.

Asthma control is a team effort. Doctors, nurses, parents, and other caregivers can work together to help asthma patients breathe easier and play like pros. Visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma/links.html for these publications from the NHLBI’s National Asthma Education and Prevention Program: So You Have Asthma, Asthma & Physical Activity in the School, and a sample Asthma Action Plan.

The pace of life today is rapid. People can check their kids’ soccer scores on the phone, while also sending emails to work with the help of digital technology. Consumers can expect the same conveniences and benefits from all businesses, including their insurance companies, thanks to the internet age. Although 98 per cent of insurance claims are processed within 30 working days, it can be frustrating for those who have difficulty paying their medical bills.

It is no longer enough to be insured, as nearly two-thirds of American households have less income than 2002. It is vital to understand how quickly and efficiently your insurance carrier pays claims. This is important for both financial and medical recovery.

According to a recent survey, 66% of workers would struggle to pay for the financial burdens associated with serious injuries and illnesses. Only 49% of workers have over $1,000 to pay out-of-pocket costs. Employers are being forced to take cost-saving measures due to rising health care costs, which is putting even more financial pressure on employees.

* Increasing employees’ health care insurance copayments.

* Increasing employees’ share of premium.

* Implementing high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts.

Some people might have to wait as long as a month to receive their insurance payments. Many insurance companies are able to offer fast service because they have better technology and an understanding of today’s consumer needs. This is one example. AflacIt is almost rare for insurance companies to offer policies that include claims processing, approval, and payment in a single day.

Fast payment policies are no longer luxury items of the past. It is now a necessity. It is more important than ever that you have money available immediately for serious injuries or illnesses. Your insurance company should be able to respond quickly.

Aflac’s One Day Pay Promise can be found at aflac.com/onedaypay.