Presented by

The Asthma Coalition of Long Island

Asthma Coalition of Long Asthma Coalition of Long IslandIsland

Our mission is to reduce the burden of Our mission is to reduce the burden of asthma by assisting every child with asthma by assisting every child with asthma to achieve optimal control, asthma to achieve optimal control, and by improving the quality of life and by improving the quality of life for children, their families and our for children, their families and our

community.community.

We do this by…We do this by… Asthma awareness, education and Asthma awareness, education and

advocacy efforts in the communityadvocacy efforts in the community Culturally sensitive patient education to Culturally sensitive patient education to

develop self-management skills for the develop self-management skills for the best control of the diseasebest control of the disease

Surveillance and monitoring of asthma Surveillance and monitoring of asthma prevalenceprevalence

Effective and efficient clinical care and Effective and efficient clinical care and case managementcase management

Environmental partnershipsEnvironmental partnerships

Current StrategiesCurrent Strategies Partnerships with local colleges to Partnerships with local colleges to

disseminate asthma education in LI disseminate asthma education in LI schools, Child Care and Head Start Centersschools, Child Care and Head Start Centers

Conduct a Biennial School Nurse Asthma Conduct a Biennial School Nurse Asthma Prevalence SurveyPrevalence Survey

Serve as a resource for up-to-date asthma Serve as a resource for up-to-date asthma information for school and childcare information for school and childcare facilitiesfacilities

Translate the NHLBI Asthma Guidelines Translate the NHLBI Asthma Guidelines into Practiceinto Practice

Develop patient asthma education toolsDevelop patient asthma education tools

OverviewOverview

Defining Asthma

Asthma Emergencies

Asthma Triggers

Medications

What is Asthma?What is Asthma?

Who is most at risk for Who is most at risk for asthma?asthma?

ChildrenChildren Low-income, urban residentsLow-income, urban residents Some minoritiesSome minorities Allergic childrenAllergic children Children with a family history of Children with a family history of

asthmaasthma

Asthma FactsAsthma Facts

Most common chronic childhood disease, Most common chronic childhood disease, 6.5 million children under 18 have 6.5 million children under 18 have asthmaasthma

12.8 million school days missed each 12.8 million school days missed each yearyear

3 children die from asthma each day3 children die from asthma each day According to ACLI’s School Nurse Survey, According to ACLI’s School Nurse Survey,

asthma incidence rate has increased from asthma incidence rate has increased from 7.6% in 2004 to 8.3% in 20087.6% in 2004 to 8.3% in 2008

Asthma Symptoms

Coughing At night After physical activity Lasts more than a week

Wheezing Chest tightness Shortness of Breath

Warning Signs of an Asthma Episode

Coughing or wheezing Shortness of breath Rapid breathing Verbal complaints

During an Asthma Episode Stay calm Try to get the child to relax Follow the child’s Asthma Care Plan Call parent/guardian or doctor if little

improvement

Asthma Medications

Rescue medications Should be used during an asthma episode

May be used prior to exercise

Relieve symptoms by relaxing muscles around airways

Controller medications Taken daily

Help reduce swelling in airways

Medication Delivery DevicesMedication Delivery Devices

Specific things a child may react to which can cause an asthma episode

What is an Asthma Trigger

DustDust

Source: Asthma Coalition of Long IslandGirl Scouts Asthma Awareness Patch Program: Girls Having Strong, Healthy Lungs

ASTHMA TRIGGERS: INFECTIONSASTHMA TRIGGERS: INFECTIONS

VIRALVIRAL ColdsColds PneumoniaPneumonia

BACTERIALBACTERIAL Strep ThroatStrep Throat Ear InfectionEar Infection PneumoniaPneumonia

SmokeSmoke CigaretteCigarette PipePipe CigarCigar

PollutionPollution SmogSmog Poor Air QualityPoor Air Quality

ASTHMA TRIGGERS: ASTHMA TRIGGERS: IRRITANTSIRRITANTS

Dust mites – encase pillows and Dust mites – encase pillows and mattresses, remove carpets, vacuum with mattresses, remove carpets, vacuum with HEPA filterHEPA filter

Molds – keep damp areas well aired, use Molds – keep damp areas well aired, use dehumidifiers, avoid wet leaves and dehumidifiers, avoid wet leaves and garden debrisgarden debris

Animal dander – no pets, avoid feathersAnimal dander – no pets, avoid feathers

ASTHMA TRIGGERS: ALLERGENSASTHMA TRIGGERS: ALLERGENS

Pollens – keep children indoors Pollens – keep children indoors when counts are high, do not use when counts are high, do not use fans, use air conditioning when fans, use air conditioning when possiblepossible

Cockroaches – wipe up spills, Cockroaches – wipe up spills, keep food enclosed, use roach keep food enclosed, use roach control products when children control products when children are not presentare not present

ASTHMA TRIGGERS: ALLERGENSASTHMA TRIGGERS: ALLERGENS

Other Asthma TriggersOther Asthma Triggers Strong Smells-avoid room deodorizers, Strong Smells-avoid room deodorizers,

perfumes and scented candlesperfumes and scented candles

Colds and Infections-get yearly flu shots, wash Colds and Infections-get yearly flu shots, wash hands frequently, keep sick children homehands frequently, keep sick children home

Weather-cover child’s mouth and nose in cold, Weather-cover child’s mouth and nose in cold, avoid outdoor air pollution when possible avoid outdoor air pollution when possible

Strong emotions such as laughing and cryingStrong emotions such as laughing and crying Exercise – occurs during exertion – play timeExercise – occurs during exertion – play time

What Can You Do?What Can You Do? Encourage parents of children with asthma Encourage parents of children with asthma

to get an Asthma Care Plan for their childto get an Asthma Care Plan for their child

Be a detective—look around your classroom Be a detective—look around your classroom and find potential asthma triggersand find potential asthma triggers

Find ways to make your center “Asthma Find ways to make your center “Asthma Friendly”Friendly”

Reduce the number of stuffed toys from your classroomReduce the number of stuffed toys from your classroom Keep sleeping areas dust freeKeep sleeping areas dust free Maintain a smoke-free facilityMaintain a smoke-free facility

The Asthma Coalition of Long Island envisions a community

linked together to support every child in every family

to control his/her asthmaIn order to live full and active lives….

Funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Health to The American Lung Association