Children who suffer from asthma are currently entering emergency rooms more frequently than they need to be, according to a new Reuter's Health report. The reason? They aren't taking their medicine.

The source goes on to state that over 50 percent of children with a chronic illness are put on some type of medication, but "past studies have found anywhere from 50 percent to 88 percent" of them aren't taking it as prescribed.

A new review lead by Meghan McGrady of the Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center looked at nine different asthma studies that identified a link between inconsistent medication practices and increased hospital visits. A tenth study suggested that children who suffer from type 1 diabetes experience the same circumstances.

The study used electronic monitors, family interviews and pharmacy fill records to track medication usage. Unsurprisingly, McGrady and her team found that children whose families did not fill their prescriptions were more like to require an emergency trip to the ER. In one study, families who did not fill their childrens' prescriptions were found to visit the emergency room 10 times more than those who did fill the prescription, even if it was only 1-2 times per year.

With fall asthma and allergy season coming, children and parents need to be on their guard and ensure that they have their medication prepared. Common triggers for the fall season include allergies, changes in temperature, fall leaves, and smoke from campfires, leaf fires or even indoor wood stoves, according to the American Lung Association.

Parents should also ask their doctors for written Asthma Action Plans that they can give to the school, so that the teachers and administrators can follow it in case of an emergency. Above all, children should know their individual triggers as well as their early warning signals so that they can ask for help when they need it.

FLAVORx has been helping children take their medicine for nearly two decades by providing fun flavors that make medicine taste better. Our formulas are sugar-free and non-allergenic, and are available in a variety of kid-friendly flavors. Ask your pharmacist how to make medicine time easier with FLAVORx.