Students across campus go to class every day in an energetic fashion, or do they? It may be safe to say most students don’t lose their breath like Allison Heaver does. Heaver, a sophomore in early childhood education, suffers from asthma.
“It does affect me walking to class, especially when the weather is really hot out or really cold because it takes a lot for me to breathe,” Heaver said.
The exact numbers of Ohio State students with asthma cannot be determined because most students fail to register the ailment with the Office of Disability Services.
“Most people think of it as more of a medical condition, not a disability thing,” said ODS Counselor Mike Kinney. Most students with asthma have just learned to deal with it, he said.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Association of America Web site, an estimated 17 million Americans suffer from asthma. Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation of the airways that transport air from the nose and mouth to the lungs.
Asthma is a serious disease that should be treated accordingly. Dr. Sherri Thomas, pediatrician at Wood County Pediatrics, said asthma can be a life-threatening condition if not controlled or managed properly.
Thomas said the lifestyle of a college student can enhance asthma symptoms.
“They should refrain from smoking environments, which I know is really hard for college students to do,” she said.
Heaver has found it difficult to avoid cigarette smoke. She is thankful, however, that her roommate doesn’t smoke.
“I requested that because smoking bothers my asthma,” Heaver said. “And it’s good the dorms are smoke-free.”
However, Heaver does encounter smokers standing close to buildings.
“It’s like you walk through a cloud of smoke,” she said.
It’s important for asthma patients to recognize what prompts their symptoms.
“People do need to know what triggers their systems and how to prevent them,” Thomas said. “If it’s cold air, maybe wearing a scarf, or if it’s pollen, needing to take allergy medication.”
ODS recognizes the hardships that students with asthma face and provides services for them.
“For some, it’s so severe they might not make it to class,” Kinney said.
Especially due to weather conditions, some asthma students are forced to miss class, and ODS explains these absences to professors.
“When the weather changes, students might have so much trouble getting to class they have to stop for awhile,” Kinney said.
For more severe patients, ODS provides the handi-van services. Elevators are also available in every building.
Priority registration is also offered, which can help students unable to walk fast due to asthma symptoms.
“Maybe not having to walk such distances or having longer time between classes can be a big help,” Kinney said.
Heaver sometimes finds herself trekking from her Patterson residence hall to a class in Hitchcock Hall, which causes difficulty in her breathing.
“Walking from one end of campus to another can be really hard,” Heaver said.
The environment inside can also be bothersome.
“It might be easier if my dorm had air conditioning because in the summer, my asthma can be triggered due to humidity and pollen,” Heaver said.
Heaver, like many OSU students with asthma, is not registered with ODS. She said she wasn’t aware of the office’s services but is going to look into utilizing the help.
Kinney said he would like to see more students use the services provided for asthma patients.
“It’s a different kind of service,” he said. “But it’s nice for students to have someone on their side.”
