INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — According to the Indiana Department of Health, nearly 1-in-10 adults and 1-in-15 kids in Indiana live with asthma.

Doctors say the third week of September is “Asthma Peak Week,” typically when asthma episode numbers are at their worst. Indiana Department of Health says common asthma triggers are:

• Allergens, such as pollen, pet hair or dander, and mold
• Changes in weather
• Chemical irritants
• Pests such as cockroaches or dust mites
• Exercise
• Outdoor air pollutants
• Respiratory infections such as common cold, flu, or COVID-19
• Stress
• Tobacco and wood smoke inhalation

Dr. Kristen Anderson is a pediatrician at Riley Children’s Health. She joined Daybreak on Monday to discuss why attacks and allergens flare up this time of year.

“Asthma is a disease of the airways that causes them to be more reactive to triggers, and this is the time of year that we start to see those triggers really increase,” Anderson said. “So, allergens, specifically ragweed and mold, are increased. We’re seeing more illnesses with kids back in school and then the weather changes. All of that leads to more asthma attacks.”

Anderson says childhood asthma is one of the primary causes of school absences. 

“Schools will send kids home if they have cough congestion, fever or parents choose to keep them home. But also sometimes with asthma, they need more frequent albuterol treatments or they’re maybe breathing more difficult – so parents want to watch them at home. Or they’re missing school because they’re actually in the hospital being treated for their asthma,” Anderson said.

She says parents should take their kids to the hospital if there are any breathing concerns.

“Anything where they’re short of breath, they can’t talk in full sentences, you’re seeing those extra muscle uses – (like) they’re tugging by their neck or at their ribs – those would all be E.R. visits,” she said. “You could consider going to your regular doctor if they need more frequent albuterol or if they’re not responding to their albuterol or just you’re intervening and things aren’t getting better.”

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with asthma, Anderson suggests making an “Asthma Action Plan.”

“Lay out what you should be doing at each step of illness and especially as kids are getting worse you really want to prevent those hospitalizations and intervene earlier,” Anderson said.

It’s mid-September, and usually NBA teams don’t make trades or major moves around this time of year. They are getting ready for training camp, with both players and coaches returning to their home market to prepare. That includes the Indiana Pacers, who have some players in Indianapolis as the offseason winds down. Their roster appears to be pretty much set for the coming campaign.

But transactions aren’t impossible this time of year. Indiana signed guard T.J. McConnell to a contract extension earlier this month, and in early October of 2021, injuries necessitated a deal between the Pacers and Brooklyn Nets involving Edmond Sumner. If a deal is beneficial, the timing is less relevant.

In that spirit, let’s review two trade ideas proposed by Bleacher Report authors (in this case, Dan Favale and Eric Pincus) involving the Pacers.

Pacers receive: Moses Moody, Golden State Warriors receive: Isaiah Jackson, three second-round draft picks (2025, 2027 via UTAH, 2029 via POR)

Favale noted in a piece that this move could help Indiana on defense because Moody is wing sized, and the Pacers need depth at that position.

That is undeniably true, and Moody would instantly slot in as the backup three in Indiana. The 2021 lottery pick hasn’t played consistently in Golden State, bouncing in and out of the rotation on a team chasing a title every year.

The Warriors have more depth now, so Moody may be on the outside of Steve Kerr’s rotation this season. If that is the case, perhaps this trade involving Jackson, who was also a first-round pick in 2021, could make sense. Jackson is a mobile defender who can switch out on to multiple positions and is a great finisher above the rim. He would help a Golden State group that doesn’t have great frontcourt depth.

This deal doesn’t seem like one the Warriors would make, but if they are more comfortable with Jackson’s price on his next deal than Moody’s price, perhaps it’s something both teams could pursue. If Indiana could acquire a young wing without giving up a first-round pick, they should consider it.

Walker Kessler is a ‘realistic’ trade target for Pacers

Pincus wrote a story about realistic trade targets for every franchise, and his best fit for the Pacers is Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler.

Indiana has uncertainty at the five spot with both Jackson and Myles Turner having expiring contracts after this season. Pincus opines that the Pacers acquiring Kessler would give them a long-term fit on the interior with the future in mind. If Turner and/or Jackson aren’t back with the blue and gold, they could use depth like Kessler. Utah’s young center is still on his rookie-scale contract.

The Jazz big man may not be the best fit in the Circle City. He’s slower and more ground bound. But his defense is elite, and for the right price, he would make sense as an acquisition just about anywhere. His fit in Indiana is tricky, yet the franchise will have to figure out its future with Turner at some point in the next 9.5 months.

Pincus also listed Pacers forward Jarace Walker as a target for the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons while noting Bennedict Mathurin could be a fit with the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, and Pistons.

Indiana likely wouldn’t make a move for someone like Kessler until next offseason. Their roster appears to be nearly set for opening night of the coming campaign.