Is your child sick of school or sick from school?

The back-to-school season can trigger asthmatic attacks in children who seemed well during the summer.

Environmental factors often trigger asthmatic attacks that cause wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing.

About one in 13 school-aged children now has asthma. It’s the leading cause of school absenteeism due to a chronic illness, and it can easily interrupt your child’s sleep, leaving him or her feeling out of sorts during the day.

If your school uses the summer to paint walls, put down new carpet or refinish the gym floor, as examples, this can wreak havoc for a child with asthma.

Vehicle exhaust while getting on the school bus or something as simple as a new teacher’s perfume can also trigger an asthmatic attack.

If your child is starting a new science or art class, be aware that chemicals, paints or glues might cause a reaction for a sensitive child.

Open windows and ragweed can be an uncomfortable combination for allergy and asthma sufferers until the first frost.

So, if your child says that going to school makes him or her feel bad, watch closely to see if there’s an underlying physical condition that needs attention.