ASTHMA

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An asthma resource written FOR kids BY kids
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ASTHMA POEM

• Asthmas for young
• Asthmas for all
• It drives you up
• So you cant play ball
• Asthma is bad
• Diabetes is too
• Asthma is increasing
• It might happen to you
• Asthma is very abrupt
• Asthma attacks are waiting to happen
• Almost like its going to erupt
• So if you have coughing or things like that
• And your pretty sure you havent swallowed a bat
• Then youll be in for a terrible scare
• Asthma, fight it with care

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Asthma - what is it?

• People with asthma have sensitive lung airways
• These narrow when exposed to triggers, causing
  difficulty in breathing
• Its there but its not always happening
• Asthma is a thing that could happen to anyone
• Scientists havent found a cure for it
• Asthma can be managed
• If asthma is managed properly, you shouldnt have
  a problem
• Certain triggers bring asthma on
• Scientist arent sure why people get asthma

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The Lungs

• Trachea (windpipe)
• Bronchi
• Alveoli
• Bronchioles

• The alveoli are like balloons - they let air in
  and out
• The trachea is the windpipe, it moves air in to
  and out of the lungs
• The bronchi branches off from the trachea
• The bronchioles branch off from the bronchi

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During an Asthma attack

• During an asthma attack the airway walls swell up
• The muscles tighten making it hard to breathe
• More mucus is made, making it even harder to
  breathe
• A wheeze is caused by the narrow airways
• We cough to try to get rid of the mucus

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Signs of Asthma

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Feeling tired
• Breathing difficulty
• Breathless
• Feeling scared and upset
• Chest Tightness

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Key Triggers
Triggers are what can set your asthma off These
are just some

• Dust
• Sports exercise
• Cold, flu
• Dust mites
• Pollen
• Fumes

• Flowers
• Crying and other emotions
• Smoke
• Animals pets

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Medications

• Helps to open your airways so you can breathe
  properly
• There are 3 types of medication -
• relievers, preventers symptom controllers

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• RELIEVERS
• Help to relieve the symptoms of asthma
• Usually work within a few minutes
• The only medication to take in an emergency
• Usually blue in colour
• If you are using your reliever medication more
  than 3 times per week, you need to go to your
  Doctor for an asthma check.
• PREVENTERS
• Try to stop you from having an asthma attack
• Important to take it every day as prescribed by
  your Doctor
• CONTROLLERS
• Are an additional medication
• Should only be prescribed if you are already on a
  preventer
• Preventers and controllers are usually taken
  twice a day EVERY DAY (even when you are well).

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How to use Spacers

• Spacers help people to use medication if they
  have trouble
• Step 1 Shake the puffer then put it into the
  spacer
• Step 2 Release one puff into the spacer by
  pressing puffer down
• Step 3 Put your lips around the mouth piece
  immediately
• Step 4 Slowly and deeply breath in and out of
  your mouth 3 to 6 times
• Step 5 Repeat if needed.

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Asthma Plans

• With the right plan, asthma can be managed
• Tells you if your asthma is getting worse
• Your medication and when to use it
• People to call if necessary
• When to visit your doctor and doctor to check
  plan
• Anyone with asthma should have one

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School Asthma Plan consists of

• Name
• Age
• Phone
• Doctor
• Date of Birth
• Photo of you
• Usual signs of YOUR asthma

• Your worsening signs
• Your triggers
• Emergency contact
• Medications that you are on
• Family telephone numbers
• Signature of your parent and your Doctor

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What should I do if Im by myself ?

• Sit down
• Relax and breathe slowly and deeply
• Take your puffer
• Follow the 4 x 4 plan

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4 x 4 PLAN

• 1) Shake your reliever puffer
• 2) Take 4 separate puffs, shaking between each
  puff
• 3) Wait 4 minutes
• 4) If you still have symptoms, take 4 separate
  puffs again
• If no relief after second lot of 4 puffs, try and
  get help if possible.

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What to do to help your friend with an asthma
attack

• Calm down your friend.
• Tell your friend to relax.
• Dont leave your friend alone.
• Tell some one else to call an adult.
• Tell your friend to follow the 4 x 4 plan.
• If your friend is not getting any better call 000
  and ask for an ambulance.

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Tips for parents teachers

• Share information and ideas on asthma
• Support your child
• Listen to what your child is saying
• Talk to your child
• Understand what it feels like to have asthma

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Staying healthy and happy

• Eat a balanced diet
• Drink lots
• Exercise
• Rest
• Use asthma medication

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How to Manage Asthma

• Know what YOUR triggers are
• Use your medication
• Know the rules of asthma
• Keep visiting your doctor
• Check expiry date on medications
• Take care of yourself

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Tips for Kids

• Keep your puffer with you wherever you go
• Check what is in the food you eat
• Check the date on your puffer every month
• Check if your puffer is empty
• Take your puffer before exercise if your Doctor
  says to do so
• Try to keep your house clean from dust
• Tell your friends what to do
• Tell your friends what it feels like
• Visit your doctor every 6 months
• Exercise and stay healthy, warm up before and
  always cool down after exercise

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A Search for Asthma
WORD FIND
WORDS TO LOOK FOR Lungs Asthma Triggers Oxygen W
heeze Ventolin Peak Flow Meter Trachea
Preventer Reliever Exercise Spacer
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To learn more about asthma, you can visit -

• Local Library many books available
• Local asthma educator
• Family Doctor
• Pharmacist for pamphlets
• Asthma Victoria Helpline 1800 645 130
• Websites like
• www.asthma.org.au
• www.asthmakids.ca/flash/airwayinvader
• www.asthmakids.ca/about/what.php
• www.cyh.com/cyh/kids/detail.htm

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• We would like to acknowledge the great work of
  the project team at Warrnambool Primary School,
• Years 5 6, 2003
• The project team would like to thank those
  students in Years 5 6 at the following schools
  who kindly helped to trial this presentation
• Bundarra Primary School Portland
• Hamilton Alexandra College Hamilton
• St Josephs Primary School Warrnambool
• Casterton Primary School Casterton
• Sacred Heart Primary School Casterton

December 2003