Asthma Education

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Asthma Education
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Asthma Facts- National

• Nearly 5 million children have asthma
• It is the most common chronic childhood illness
• It is a leading cause of school absences
• 14 million school days missed annually
• 3 million work days missed
• 12.7 billion spent annually

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In a classroom of 30 children,
2 or more children are likely to have asthma
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Asthma Facts- Oregon

• 290,000 people
• 63,000 children (7.5 National Prevalence)
• Oregon Triggers
• Mold/Mildew
• Grass
• Field Burning
• Diesel Particle Matter
• Other common triggers

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Asthma Facts- Portland Public Schools
With permission of the Multnomah Educational
Services District
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Asthma Pathology

• Chronic, inflammatory disease of the airways
  (NAEPP)
• We do not know exactly what causes asthma, but we
  believe there is a genetic and an environmental
  component
• Airways become inflamed, swell, fill with mucus
  and the muscles around the airways constrict,
  making it difficult to breathe.

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What Happens During an Asthma Episode

• Cells in the air tubes make more mucus than
  normal.
• Cells in airways get inflamed, causing swelling
• The muscles around tubes tighten.
• Narrow airways

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Asthma Triggers

• Non-Allergic
• Cigarette Smoke
• Air pollution
• Cleaning products
• Perfumes
• Paint
• Respiratory infections
• Cold or flu
• Cold Air
• Heartburn
• Exercise

• Allergic
• Indoor and outdoor molds
• Animal Dander
• Dust mites
• Pollen
• Some foods and food additives
• Sulfites, red dye 40
• Medications
• Penicillin or aspirin

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Secondhand Smoke, a Major Asthma Trigger

• As many as 1 million asthmatic children have
  their condition worsened by exposure to
  secondhand smoke (SHS.)
• SHS exposure in childhood affects lung
  development causing a permanent reduction in lung
  capacity by as much as 5.
• As many as 2.2 million ear infections every year
  are caused by SHS.
• Between 8-13 of childhood asthma cases are
  attributable to household smoking.
• People with childhood exposure to SHS are more
  likely to smoke as adults.

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Asthma Symptoms

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Tight Chest
• Crankiness
• Restless
• Not sleeping well
• Pale
• Difficulty breathing
• Stomach ache
• Loss of appetite

• Raised shoulders
• Snoring
• Congested nose
• Watery eyes
• Dry mouth
• Clammy skin
• Headache
• Grabbing neck
• Breathing from neck

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Serious Symptoms that Require Immediate Medical
Attention

• Childs wheeze or cough worsens even after
  medications (5-10 minutes)
• Sucked in neck and chest
• Child cannot talk or walk
• Childs lips or fingernails are gray or blue
• Peak Flow is below 50

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The Peak Flow Tool

• Twice daily monitoring for 2 weeks (AM/PM)
• 3 blows for each daily monitor
• Average daily measure
• Average out 2 week measure
• Personal Best
• Use Peak Flow when other signs begin to appear or
  child states difficulty breathing
• Zones

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What To Do During an Asthma Episode

• Give rescue medication
• Encourage relaxation and slow deep breaths
• Belly Breathing
• Sitting in a chair
• Offer sips of warm water to relax and refocus
  attention

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Inhaler and Spacer Use

• Insert inhaler into spacer and shake
• Breathe out all of the way
• Put mouthpiece in your mouth between teeth and
  close lips around it. Do not block opening with
  your tongue
• Press down on inhaler one time
• Breathe in slowly through your mouth
• Keep breathing in slowly, as deeply as you can
• Hold your breath as you count to 10
• Wait at least 1 minute between puffs

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Controller MedicationAnti-Inflammatory

• Daily use
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Prevent and reduce airway inflammation
• Make airways less sensitive to irritants
• Reduce the need for short-acting relief
• Inhaled steroids- Flovent, Pulmicort
• Inhaled non-steroids- Intal,Tiladed
• Oral steroids- Prednisone, Pediapred, Medrol
• Long-Acting Bronchodilators
• Relax the muscle around the airways making it
  easier to breathe
• Reverse or prevent airway narrowing
• Serevent, Volmax

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Rescue MedicationBronchodilator

• Use on an as needed basis
• Relax muscle around the airways
• Begin to work within 5 minutes and last for 4-6
  hours
• Albuterol, Proventil, Atrovent

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Appropriate Family Management of Asthma

• Consulting a physician
• Using an asthma management plan
• Medications dosage, time, and delivery
• Inhaled or oral (nebulizer or spacer)
• Multiple copies for school staff/daycare staff
• Recognition of triggers
• Peak flow
• Keeping the home environment free from triggers
• Smoking outside
• Pets not on furniture
• Sheets washed in hot water

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Healthy School Checklist

• Identify asthma students
• Asthma Action Plan
• Childs medication on hand
• Emergency numbers
• Identify and remove triggers
• Good ventilation and regular cleaning
• Keep carpets clean

• Air out areas after using chemicals to clean
• Keep animal allergic children away from pets
• Hot/cold days- high pollen days, smog
• Encourage exercise (use meds when necessary)