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Asthma, Allergies, & Better Breathing Diving into Respiratory Health WITH MAGGIE MAC NEIL Mediaplanet sat down with Canadian Olympic Swimmer Maggie Mac Neil to chat about her journey to becoming a Gold Medalist while living with asthma, and some of the keys to managing symptoms. What first inspired you to go down this path and discover your love for professional swimming? Like every young kid that engages in sport from a very early age, from the age of 8 I always told my parents and teachers that “I want to go to the Olympics”. I started competing the fall after the 2008 Olympics. My family and I have always been huge Olympic watchers, whether that be summer or winter. Knowing what I know now, I had absolutely no clue as to the effort, hard work, dedication, and early mornings that would be required to make this a reality. When motivation wanes or I’m having a bad practice, it is the relationships and friends on my team that keep me going. So, in short, I don’t think either my family or I anticipated this would come from simply having a love for the water.
Read more on page 3 .
6 Practical Steps to Keep Your Asthma Managed this Wildfire Season Asthma Canada
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s threats of wildfires spread across Canada, Asthma Canada is urging individuals living with asthma to take additional precautions for their safety. Wildfire smoke contains many harmful pollutants including fine particulate matter that settles deep in the lungs. For those with asthma and other respiratory conditions, wildfires present an escalated risk, as the smoke can worsen symptoms and provoke asthma attacks, which, in some cases, can be fatal. This grim reality was sadly illustrated in 2023 by the loss of Carter Vigh, who tragically lost his life at just nine years of age.
To aid people living with asthma this wildfire season, Asthma Canada has created 6 Essential Tips for Keeping Well During Wildfire Season: 1. Stay informed: Keep track of local air quality updates and wildfire information from reliable sources like Environment Canada, the Weather Network, and the Government of Canada.
2. Have an updated Asthma Action Plan: Your plan should outline steps to take in
case of worsening asthma symptoms or emergencies. Download your plan now. 3. Limit outdoor activities: Stay indoors as much as possible. Avoid physical exertion and exercise outdoors during peak pollution periods. If going outside is necessary: • Wearing a well-fitted N95 respirator mask can offer some protection against smoke particles. These can be purchased in certain pharmacies and online. • Keep your reliever (usually blue) inhaler with you at all times in case asthma symptoms arise. • When driving, keep your windows and vents closed and only use air conditioning in the “recirculate” setting.
4. Use air purifiers and filters in your home: Use high-efficiency air purifiers (HEPA) and keep windows and doors closed to prevent smoke infiltration. If using an air conditioner, choose the recirculation setting so outside air will not be transferred inside. Avoid activities that contribute to indoor air pollution, such as smoking or using strong chemicals.
5. Take your medications as prescribed: Make sure you have necessary medications and supplies readily available and follow your prescribed asthma medication regimen, including both preventive and rescue medications. If necessary, consult your healthcare provider to adjust your medication plan during episodes of poor air quality. 6. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to keep your airways hydrated. This can help reduce symptoms and keep mucus thin, making it easier to cough up if necessary. “Recent evidence strongly indicates that with rising global temperatures, the exceptionally warm summer experienced in Canada last year is likely to become the new norm, raising significant concerns for the 4,600,000+ people living with asthma in the country,” emphasized Jeffrey Beach, President & CEO of Asthma Canada. “Last year we observed a notable increase in the volume of calls to our Asthma & Allergy HelpLine during wildfire season, highlighting the escalating concerns regarding asthma management.”
To read more about Carter’s Story, scan the QR code.
For those who have questions about their asthma, particularly during wildfire season, Asthma Canada recommends reaching out to their FREE Asthma & Allergy HelpLine at 1-866-787-4050 or info@asthma.ca to speak to an asthma expert about all your asthma-related concerns.
Publisher: Mubarak Mohamed Business Development Manager: Maddie MacNeil Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Production& Delivery Manager: Michael Taylor Creative Director: Kylie Armishaw Graphic & Web Designer: Christina Morgan Digital & Social Media Strategist: Kristen Neals Digital Traffic Strategist: Karm Rathod All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.
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