What Everyone Should Know about Asthma
Asthma Health Information for Health Promoters
Modified powerpoint originally created by Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma and adapted for use by HHO Health Promoters
December 2006
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can be life threatening if not treated and controlled.
The cause of asthma in unknown, but some things make asthma worse.
What Is Happening During an Asthma Attach ?
When someone is having an asthma attack the following is happening:
1. The lining of the airway is swollen and irritated.2. The muscles around the airway tighten and make
it hard to breathe.3. The airway makes a thick mucus.
What Is Happening During an Asthma Attack in the Lungs?
Asthma Warning Signs
Warning signs are clues that your child’s asthma may be getting worse.
Runny stuffy nose Headache Tickle in throat Child has a cold or flu Coughing Restless
Know Your Child’s Warning
Signs!
What Are the Symptoms of Asthma?
Not all people with asthma have the same symptoms The most common symptoms are: Coughing – a cough that may not
go away or may be worse at night
Wheezing – a whistling sound that is usually heard when breathing out
What Are the Symptoms of Asthma?
Shortness of breath – feels like not being able to catch a breath
Tightness or pain in the chest – feels like something heavy has been placed on the chest
What Causes Asthma Attacks?
AN ASTHMA TRIGGER IS…anything that sets off asthma symptoms
TRIGGERS
Ways to Avoid Triggers
Dust, dander, and house mites Dust the house with a damp cloth,
especially in the child’s bedroom. Use a damp mop to clean the floor. Cover pillow, mattress, and boxspring
with special dust-mite–proof covers.
Ways to Avoid Triggers
Smoke Try to make the home smoke free by
• Never allowing smoking in the home or car• Never allowing smoking around the child • Quitting smoking
Avoid burning incense or candles.
Ways to Avoid Triggers
Pets If possible, remove pets from the home
or limit the child’s contact with the animal. Never allow pets in the child’s bedroom.
Ways to Avoid Triggers
Strong odors and scented products Avoid heavy scents, like perfumes, hairsprays, and
certain household cleaners like bleach or ammonia. Don’t use room deodorizers.
Ways to Avoid Triggers
Cockroach dander Keep all food in closed containers, and keep
trash bags closed. Clean up moist areas such as kitchen and
bathroom. Clean areas where roaches have been with hot
soapy water to remove dander previously dropped by roaches.
Asthma Medications and Devices
Types of Medications
Long-term “controller” medicine Quick-relief “rescue” medicine
Long-Term Medications
Long-term “controller” medicine prevents swelling and inflammation of the airway and should be used every day, even when feeling well.
Quick-Relief Medications
Quick-relief “rescue” medicine works quickly to open the tightened airway.
Quick-relief medicine is usually used on an as-needed basis.
Inhaler “the pump”
Delivers inhaled medication in a spray mist form
Asthma Devices
Inhaler with Spacer
A spacer catches the mist and holds it so it can be breathed in slowly. This allows the medicine to reach the person’s lungs.
Asthma Devices
Asthma Devices
Nebulizer
A machine that delivers medication in a mist.
Peak Flow Meter
A device used to measure how air flows from your lungs in one “fast blast.”
Asthma Devices
The Peak Flow The Peak Flow Meter allows the Meter allows the patient to assess patient to assess the status of his the status of his or her asthma, or her asthma, and use that and use that
information in his information in his or her asthma or her asthma action plan.action plan.
Managing Asthma:Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) Meters
What Is an Asthma Action Plan?
An asthma action plan is a tool for patients that helps families manage asthma.
It tells exactly how and when to take medicines. It also tells how and when to use the quick-relief
medicine and what to do when the child develops symptoms or has an attack.
An Example of an Asthma Action Plan
Describes Describes what what
medicines medicines to use and to use and actions to actions to
taketake
Tips About the Action Plan
The action plan should be completed by your child’s medical provider.
Every child with asthma should have an asthma action plan.
Who Should Have Copies of the Asthma Action Plan?
Medical providers Parent and/or caregiver School nurse or daycare provider Camp (during summer time)
or after-school program Babysitter
Controlling Asthma
Getting Asthma Under Control
See a health-care provider for regular asthma checkups at least twice a year.
Follow an Asthma Action Plan. Learn how to take the right medicine
at the right time, the right way.
Getting Asthma Under Control
Learn about asthma triggers and how to avoid them.
Talk about peak flow monitoring with your health-care provider.
Sleeps through the night Goes to school every day Is able to play, take gym,
and participate in sports
A Child With Well-Controlled Asthma
8/2003
Acknowledgments
Developed by Jessica Anglin with input from the
Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma CommunityIntervention Committee
Sponsored by the Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma Coalition
For More Information on Asthma
You can go to the following websites : Allies Against Asthma at www.asthma. umich.edu Asthma Allergy Foundation of America at www.aafa.org American Lung Association at www.lungusa.org National Blood Lung and Heart Institute at
www.nhlbi.nih.gov American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
at www.aaaai.org School Asthma Allergy at www.schoolasthmaallergy.com
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