THIS SLIDE IS A PROJECT TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF ASTHMA ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS

2. WHAT IS ASTHMA?
Asthma is a long-term condition of airways in which
they become narrow which causes resistance to
breathing.
• THE NARROWING OF AIRWAYS IS CAUSED BY:
o Swelling of inner lining of airways.
o Tightening of muscles around airways, which
reduces the width of airways.
o Excessive mucus production in the lining of
airways.
DID YOU
KNOW!

3. Tightened
muscles
Swollen
lining
Excess
mucus
Relaxed
muscles
Normal
mucus
Normal
lining
ASTHMATIC
LUNGS
NORMAL
LUNGS
Look at the
difference
between
normal lungs
and asthmatic
lungs!

4. ASTHMA TRIGGERS:-
Asthma triggers are substances in our surroundings
that may start an asthma episode or aggravate asthma
symptoms.
Risk factors for developing asthma include inhaling
asthma “triggers”, such as allergens (some common
to all and some individualized), tobacco smoke and
chemical irritants.
Other examples of asthma triggers are

5. THE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF
ASTHMA ARE:
o Coughing and breathing
difficulty
o Wheezing and tightness of
chest
o Easy tiredness
o Disturbed sleep
How do I
recognize
that I have
asthma?

6. Medicines for asthma
RELIEVER MEDICINES
• Also called bronchodilators as they open
the airways.
• Used for immediate control of an asthma
attack.
• Provide immediate relief by relaxing the
tightened muscles.
• E.g. – Salbutamol
– Terbutaline
CONTROLLER MEDICINES
• Also called disease modifiers as they
prevent an asthma attack.
• Used for long term control of asthma.
• Reduce swelling and mucus production in
airways.
• E.g. – inhaled steroids
– inhaled long-acting
bronchodilators

7. Inhaler devices for asthma
METERED DOSE INHALER
(MDI)
• Medicine is in aerosol form
in the metallic chamber
• To be shaken and inhaled.
Should always be used with a
spacer
DRY POWDER INHALER
• Medicine is in form of
powder in capsules
• Capsule to be inserted,
broken and then inhaled.
Should be used by children
above 10 years of age
NEBULISER
• Medicine is in liquid
form in plastic containers
• The machine converts
the liquid into mist and it
is then inhaled through
mask.
Used in emergency to give
reliever medicines

8. Using Inhaler devices properly
 Metered Dose Inhalers: It is a metallic chamber filled with medicine in an aerosol form, on
presssing its top, a measured dose of the medicine is released.
 For proper effect, it is essential that its delivery of the dose is coordinated with taking a long deep
breath so that the medicine gets carried with the breath to lungs.The medicine is taken from the
inhaler through a spacer or holding chambers, to avoid deposition of medicine.
 Role of Spacer: It is a plastic chamber with a slot for inhaler at one end and mouthpiece for
breathing on the other.
 With the help of a spacer, the medicine first gets transferred from inhaler to the chamber of spacer and
then to the airways in the next 4-5 breaths. This ensures effective delivery of medicine into the
airways.
 Another thing called Dry Powder Inhalers are used as medicine in powder from in capsules. Capsule
is inserted in a device called dry powder inhaler which breakes the capsule. However they are only
used by chldren over 8-10 years of age due to high-breathing requirement.

9. Nebulizer for Asthma Emergency
A nebulizer is used during an acute attack of asthma
which is not relieved by the methods metiones
before.
Nebulizer in itself is a asthma medication.It is a small
device with a mechanical pump which delivers air
under pressure into a chamber with liquid medicine.
This converts the liquid medicine into fine mist
which can be inhaled with normal breathing through
face mask.
This process usually takes 5-10 minutes for which
the mask should be on.
Nubelizer does not need any cooperation by the child
and ensures delivery of asthma medicine to all parts
of lungs, immediately relieving symptoms.
Nubelizer has an immediate effect after complete
inhalation of the medicine.

10. Child Asthma: In childhood asthma, the lungs and airways become easily inflamed when exposed to
certain triggers, such as inhaling pollen or catching a cold or other respiratory infection. Childhood
asthma can cause bothersome daily symptoms that interfere with play, sports, school and sleep.
Causes of childhood asthma:-
 Inherited tendency to develop allergies.
 Some types of airways infections at a very
young age.
 Exposure to environmental factors, such as
cigarette smoke or other air polluton.
 Increased immune system sensitivity causes
the lungs and airways to swell and produce
mucus when exposed to certain triggers.
Trigger can include- viral infections such as
common cold, allergies to dust and mist,
wether conditions or cold air.
Prevention from Asthma triggers:-
 Limit exposure to asthma triggers.
 Avoid smoking around your child in order to avoid the
exposure to tobacco smoke.
 Encourage our child to be active, as regular physical
exercises are essential that helps lungs to work more
effeciently.
 Keep heatburn under cntrol and help your child
maintain a healthy weight.
 See the doctor when necessary, regular checkups are
important to be updated.

11. Asthma Management Plan
Schools must have an asthma policy because asthma is now a
common and life threatening disease among children.
• 5%-10% of school going children suffer from
asthma.
• If asthma is not controlled:
o It can retard the physical growth of the
child.
o It can make the child unable to keep up with
the group due to absenteeism.
o Asthma attack in schools can be severe and
even life-threatening for children.
Why should
my school be
concerned
about asthma?

13. Creating An Asthma Task Force
THE SCHOOL HAS MADE A TASK FORCE ( 4-5 MEMBERS) WHICH WILL BE ACTIVE IN CASE
OF ANY ASTHMATIC EMERGENCY.
• ALL THE TEACHERS, STAFF MEMBERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS MUST
HAVE A KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ASTHMA:
o How to recognise whether the child is asthmatic
o Asthma triggers of those children
o How to identify an asthma attack

14. IDENTIFICATION OF ASTHMATIC CHILDREN
 Schools should identify and list all the children suffering from asthma.
 There should be annual updating of this list and the respective class teachers
should be informed about these children.
 Class teachers should ensure that the child carries his/her medicines in bag and
takes it timely.

15. Following is the list of common asthma triggers and actions
to
reduce the exposure of students:-
COMMON ASTHMA TRIGGERS SUBSEQUENT ACTION PLANS
Infections( both bacterial and viral)- cold, flu,
sinusitis, influenza etc.
 Maintenanace of proper hygiene in schools by using soap, paper
towels.
 Treat the infection appropriatly.
Smoke from any source: cigarette, wood, leaf,
burning, coal, kitchen, industrial smoke etc.
 Maintenance of a strict no smoking policy within school
premises.
 Prevent exposure to smoke from other source
Air Pollution  Check air quality levels from closest monitors.
 On days of very poor ar quality, outside sport activities should
be curtailed.
Dust mites – tiny insects(not visible to naked
eyes) found in the fibre of carpets, upholstery,
curtains ans stuffed toys.
 Avoid scrubbing of carpets.
 Carpets/upholstery and curtains etc. Should regularly be washed.
Exposure to cold air  During winters, encourage students to wear warm clothes
including a scarf to help keep them warm.
Pest – cockroaches etc.  Proper food waste and garbage disposal.

16. ASTHMA BUDDY
 Classmates can play a crucial role in early
identification of an asthma attack and providing
immediate support.
 They should be informed about the medication
he/she carries
 They will help provide comfort to the child with
asthma.
 They must be aware of common sign and symptoms.

17. F
ASTHMA KIT
Asthma kits are intended for the convenient, safe storage of blue reliever medication
and unopened single use spacers and face masks.
They are to be accessed and administered by those who have a duty of care in
schools, childcare sites and other workplaces.

18. WHAT ARE THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF AN ASTHMA KIT?
1)metered dose inhalers and spacer
(salbutamol medicine)
2) nebulizer(with salbutamol medicine)
3) pulse oximeter (to measure oxygen
saturation)
4) prednisolone tablets (10 and 20 mg and
syrup of prednisolone)
5) a small oxygen cylinder in case a doctor or
trained nurse is available, a small oxygen
cylinder with delivery system like face masks or
nasal prongs.
OXIMETER INHALERS
OXYGEN CYLINDER MASK

19. An asthma attack can also be life-threatening.
Therefore, it is very important to respond to
an emergency immediately.
Look what
happens to our
airways during an
asthma attack !

20. 1. Identifying an emergency
• Who can identify an asthma emergency?
 The child himself, classmates/buddies,
teachers can identify an asthma emergency.
• Signs to identify an asthma emergency:-
 Sudden coughing/coughing gets worsened
 Breathing difficulty/breathlessness
 Tightness in chest
 Wheezing sound in chest
 Unable to speak full sentences
 Child may turn blue
 Losing consciousness

21. 2. How to act in case of emergency
• Carry child to medical room :
 Loosen any tight clothing like neck tie, etc. and open the top buttons of
the shirt.
 The room should be well-ventilated.
 The child should sit upright and should not run or walk.
 Do not leave the child alone any time.
• Call Asthma Task Force members :
 The parents should be immediately informed and the prescribed
medicines should be confirmed by them.
 The treatment should be started without waiting for the parents or
child should be taken to a hospital.

22. 3. Response by the Asthma Task Force
• ACTIONS FOR MILD / MODERATE ATTACK:
 Give 4-6 puffs of reliever medicine
(Salbutamol) through spacer.
 Wait for 5 minutes.
 Repeat step 1, if there is no
improvement.
 If no further improvement is seen,
follow steps for severe symptoms.
Mild / Moderate Symptoms
• Continuous cough
• Breathlessness
• Chest tightness
• Wheezing

23. Severe Symptoms
• Severe breathlessness
• Child turning blue
• Drowsy/ Confused/ Losing
consciousness
• Indrawing of lower part of chest
• Cough or Wheeze
• ACTIONS FOR SEVERE ATTACK
 Call for ambulance to shift a child, alert your point
of contact in identified hospital.
 Start nebulizer as soon as possible with reliever
medicine.
 While Nebulizer gets ready, give 4-6 puffs of
reliever medicine (blue cap) close through spacer
immediately.
 Start reliever medicine through nebulizer as soon as possible, with oxygen if available.
 Continue nebulizer with reliever medicine & oxygen till ambulance arrives & during
transport in ambulance also.
 2 teacher much accompany the child to hospital and at no time should leave the child
alone.
 Do not wait for the parents to start treatment or shift the child to hospital.
 Call parents directly to hospital.

24. VIDEO ON HOW TO USE MDI WITH SPACER:-