Asthma
10 Best Asthma Videos of 2012
There is nothing funny about asthma. About 1 in 12 people suffers from this respiratory condition, and the rate is even higher among children. Serious asthma attacks kill over 3,000 people every year in the U.S. and are a significant cause of childhood emergency department admissions.
These asthma videos offer the best of the best: information, entertainment, and strong motivational encouragement. Asthma can kill. What are you going to do about it? Watch these excellent videos to find out what you need to know and how you can help.
CDC: Tips from Former Smokers: Jessica’s Story
Although originally designed for a campaign against smoking, this commercial offers a powerful educational message for families experiencing the stress of asthma. Secondhand smoke causes many negative health effects, but this brief and poignant wake-up call gives parents a no-nonsense message: don’t be afraid to stand up for your child’s health
Asthma carries serious side effects for kids, and this is one CDC anti-smoking video that has turned a single public health awareness message into two. Bravo!
Huff & Puff: An Asthma Tale, Episode 1
Luddites in favor of a technology-free existence must feel at least some hesitation when confronted with the educational and entertainment potential of app and digital media characters like Huff & Puff. Designed for an asthma management downloadable application, Huff & Puff help lead children through lessons about their condition.
These animated characters tell familiar childhood stories with a twist (in the first of which the Big Bad Wolf has some big, bad asthma). Whether you purchase the app or not, these clever creations can help your child stay interested in self-care.
EPA Mercury & Air Toxics Standards with Jerome Bettis
Jerome Bettis is perhaps one of the most famous athletes with asthma. Although a host of Olympic athletes share the diagnosis, Jerome Bettis is actively involved with everything from asthma football camps to national campaigns for air purity.
In this short public service announcement, Jerome Bettis talks about the impact asthma has had on his life and career. The EPA has finally decided to make environmental awareness a bit more appealing—and pro football players with a personal message about pollution may just be the ticket!
Childhood Asthma: Trinity’s Story
Every parent of a child with asthma remembers the first attack. Most result in a stressful and frightening trip to the emergency room followed by a slew of doctors’ visits and an intimidating diagnosis. Trinity’s Story talks about one family’s difficulty adapting to a new lifestyle.
From learning to administer the medication to clearing the house of asthma triggers, Trinity’s diagnosis resulted in adjustments for the whole family. Watch this honest mother tell her story, and find out whether you are facing some of the same challenges.
LiveStrong Contest Entry: Homam’s Asthma
LiveStrong is probably the most motivating brand since Nike hit the athletic scene, and this contest entry video has all the elements of the characteristic LiveStrong attitude. Homam tells his personal story of his struggle with asthma as a teenager, and candidly describes the barriers such a condition causes for teenagers and aspiring athletes.
Check out this short and inspirational clip to find out how Homam overcame his asthma and achieved peak physical condition. Listen to his tale of success and encourage your kids (or yourself) to attempt the same.
Breakfast at Glenfield: The Educational Music Video about Acute Asthma Management
If all medical education were this entertaining and memorable, we could all be superstar med school students. Clever, catchy, and just a bit ridiculous, this award-winning medical education video offers the British Asthma Guidelines to viewers and is set to the famous Deep Blue Something’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” tune.
Whether you know all there is to know about asthma or you are entirely new to the topic, this video will surprise and delight you. Appreciate the hilarity and let the smarties at the University Hospitals of Leicester do their educational thang.
Yoga Poses for Asthma
Who knew there were specific asthma-relief yoga poses? CarolAnn, the superstar workout buff behind CyberWorkouts.com’s The Skinny, offers this video of her favorite routine for asthma relief. Follow her through Cobra and Child’s pose, among others, to open your chest and free up your lungs.
Find out how this perky yoga instructor recommends improving your breathing by following along with this simple video. Enjoy the benefits of her short asthma routine, and then take advantage of her other free yoga videos to improve your lung function and physical health.
Breathing Exercises for Asthma
Having a doctor in your pocket would be awesome, but having one on a laptop video will just have to do for most of us. In this brief educational video, Dr. Peg Strug—Chief of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology for Kaiser Permanente—offers her professional advice for overcoming an asthma flare.
Find out how to use her expert techniques, and practice the simple breathing exercises she adeptly demonstrates. You will be sorry you hadn’t learned these tips sooner.
“An Asthma Story” by Chicago DMC
Touching and tender, this video puts the spotlight on the tragic experiences of children with asthma. For once, the story and struggle of asthma is told through the words of the children who have survived their attacks. The poignant clip places the onus on health professionals and caregivers to make sure no more children suffer such fear and pain.
Listen to their sweet but sad stories, and find out how they tackled this dreadful illness. Just one or two stories in, you will want to sign up for an asthma advocacy position to make a difference in the health of asthmatic children everywhere.
“What Happens During an Asthma Attack?” by The Department of Health, South Australia
Although this video can cause even non-asthmatic viewers to experience sincere anxiety, it is an educational experience for those who cannot relate to the extreme stress and fear induced by an asthma attack. Follow the medic team as they give assistance to a young boy in the midst of a dangerous episode.
The tragic alarm faced by the victim in this video shows just part of an attack; thankfully, the narration of the health team explains the rest. A video like this can convey the terror and biology of an attack better than any pamphlet or lecture, so take advantage of it!
10 Best Asthma Videos of 2012 Closing
Some of the most educational videos about asthma can also be among the most dull. Fear not: these asthma videos offer a taste of humor, intrigue, and excitement, although the tragic truth of this illness is often not far behind.
Asthma advocacy videos like those selected here have the power to encourage activism, inspire hope, and offer lasting education. Make use of their clever messages and share them so that others can benefit from them as well. After all, chances are very high that at least a few people you know have asthma. Let them know they have your support!
