Asthma

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Asthma

• By
• Christina Mooney

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• Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease
  characterized by episodes of attack of
  inflammation and narrowing of small airways in
  response to asthma trigger. these attacks can
  range from mild to life-threatening.
• National Center of Health Statistics

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Prevalence

• In 2001 31.3 million people (114 people per
  1,000) had been diagnosed with asthma in there
  life time.
• More prevalent in children

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Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm (EIB)

• Very common in people with asthma
• Exact cause unknown

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Signs and Symptoms

• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Wheezing
• Chest pain / Chest Tightness
• Tightness
• Or a combination

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Triggers

• Chemicals in the air
• Tobacco
• Pollens
• Dust
• Strong fumes
• Emotional Upsets

• Allergens
• Food
• Infections
• Exercise (EIB)
• changes in weather
• Cold air

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Asthma First Aid

• Catch it early
• Have student stop All Activity
• Help student assume an up right position
• Talk to the student calmly
• Encourage the student to take medication
• Withholding medication is more detrimental then
  giving medication when it may not be needed
• Notify proper personal, i.e. school nurse

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Prevention

• Medications can be taken prior to vigorous
  exercise
• inhaled bronchodilators work for 4-6 hours.
• Adequate warm up
• Exercise should increase in intensity slowly
• Adequate cool-down

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Beneficial types of Exercise

• Walking
• Bicycling
• Swimming
• Football
• Short distance track and field
• Golfing

• Downhill skiing
• Tennis
• Baseball
• Volleyball
• Wrestling
• Gymnastics

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Beneficial Environments

• Warm and humidified air

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Exercise and Environments to Avoid

• Running causes increased EIB
• Places with excessive dust and pollens in the air
• Cold dry air
• Student can wear a scarf or mask (self
  humidifying)

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Asthma Medications

• Inhaled Bronchodilator Medications
• Severe episodes or prevention of EIB
• Anti-Inflammatory Medications
• Long term not immediate
• Daily use, regular use important
• Systemic Bronchodilator Medications
• Pills, 12-24 hours, nocturnal asthma

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Persons with Asthma should not be withheld from
Physical Activity

• Exercise
• Increase tolerance
• Improves self esteem
• Increased confidence
• Improved psychological and physical well-being
• Increased sedentary life style increase problems
  with asthma with minimal physical activity.

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Olympic swimmer Amy Van Dyken http//sportsillustr
ated.cnn.com/siforwomen/top_100/39/39vandyken_lg.h
tml
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Jackie Joyner-Kersee
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References

• http//www.lungusa.org/asthma/ascastnedgr.html
• Good source of different medications for
  asthmatics.
• http//www.asthma.ca/adults/about/whatIsAsthma/php
  
• Clear concise breakdown the pathology of Asthma.

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References

• http//www.lung.ca/asthma/exercise/index.html
• Really good source for educators

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Questions