Asthma 101”

Asthma in Philadelphia
1 in 8 children in Philadelphia has asthma. That is more than 51,000 children.
In Philadelphia, African American and Latino children have the highest percent of asthma cases.
Certain neighborhoods, like South Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, and West Philadelphia, have higher rates of children with asthma.
Source: PHMC Household Survey 2000

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:
The lining of the airway is swollen and irritated .
The muscles around the airway tighten and make it hard to breathe.
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’s 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.

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.

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.

Strong odors and scented products
Avoid heavy scents, like perfumes, hairsprays, and certain household cleaners like bleach or ammonia.
Don’t use room deodorizers.

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

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

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

Acknowledgments
Developed by Jessica Anglin with input from the
Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma Community
Intervention Committee
Sponsored by the Philadelphia Allies Against
Asthma Coalition
8/2003

For More Information on Asthma
You can call :
The American Lung Association at 1-800-586 - 4872
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American at 1 –800-727 - 8462
Allergy & Asthma Network: Mothers of Asthmatics at 1-800-878-4403
The Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma Project at (215)731-6150

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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Asthma 101”

by MedicineAndHealth on Feb 04, 2009

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Asthma 101” — Presentation Transcript