2. What is Asthma?
• A chronic inflammatory disorder of the
airways
• It is treatable, but not yet curable
• It is not the same as allergies, but
allergies MAY cause asthma
• Not contagious
• Can be life-threatening!
3. Who is most at risk to
suffer from asthma?
• Children
• Low-income, urban
residents
• Some minorities
• Allergic individuals
• People with
hereditary disposition
for asthma (genetics)
4. What happens during an
asthma episode?
• Airways narrow,
caused by:
tightening of the
muscles that
surround the
airways
swelling of the
inner lining
increase in mucous
production
5. Warning Signs of Asthma
• Coughing (especially
when it is not a cold)
• Wheezing (a squeaking
sound when breathing)
• Fast breathing
• Poor skin color
• Shortness of breath
• Hunched over posture
• Restless during sleep
• Fatigue
• Space between the ribs
may sink in when
breathing
• Anxiety
• Vomiting
6. Warning Signs of Asthma
• Strained breathing
• Prominent neck
muscles
• Out of breath after
physical activity
IMPORTANT: These
symptoms don’t
necessarily mean it is
asthma
7. Asthma can be controlled!
• There are excellent medicines available
now that can control asthma--some must
be taken on a daily basis
• Environmental “triggers” of asthma--which
are different for everyone--can be
controlled to reduce asthma symptoms
9. Other asthma triggers
Viral respiratory infections
• colds
• flu
• often worse at night after lying down
Exercise
Changes in weather
• cold air
• wind
• humidity
10. Indoor Air Pollution: A
Major Health Concern
• Most people spend 90% of their time
indoors
• Toxin levels indoors may be higher than
outdoors because of energy tight
buildings
• Most of the common asthma triggers are
found indoors
11. 5 Most Common Indoor
Environmental Triggers
Secondhand Smoke
Dust Mites
Mold
Pets
Cockroaches
13. Recognize asthma triggers
to control indoor air
• Not all triggers affect every person
• 3 Basic Strategies to improve indoor air
quality:
identify the problem
control the source
mitigation--get rid of the pollutant or
triggering substance
14. Pollen
• Transported by wind
• Grass, ragweed, pine,
birch, oak trees
• Can get indoors
during pollen season
• Close windows during
pollen season
• Caulk and weather-
strip doors and
windows
15. Secondhand Smoke
• Contains more than 4,000 substances (over 40
are carcinogenic)
• Is particularly harmful to young children
• Can trigger asthma attacks
• Causes coughing, excess phlegm, reduced lung
capacity and other lung irritation
16. Byproducts of Smoke
• Particles such as nitrogen dioxide and
sulfur dioxide may cause decreased lung
function
• Increased risk of respiratory tract
infections (bronchitis, pneumonia)
• Not only tobacco smoke--also caused by
burning wood, candles, coal, kerosene,
natural gas
17. Avoiding Secondhand
Smoke
• Do not allow smoking indoors or in
vehicles
• Limit use of fireplaces and candles
• Exhaust fan over gas stoves
• Smoke particles stick to clothing--can
affect young child when held in arms
18. • Too small to be seen
• Found almost
everywhere!
• Live in soft bedding
• Feed on dead skin cells
• Mites and mite droppings
can be asthma triggers
• Live in warm, humid
places
Dust Mites
19. Avoiding Dust Mite
Triggers
• Wash sheets and blankets once a week in
very HOT water (130 F)
• Use air conditioner in summer to lower
humidity levels
• Remove carpets if possible
• Damp clean hard surfaces
• Vacuum often with HEPA vacuum or
microfiltration bags
• Low indoor humidity-between 30-50%
20. Avoiding Dust Mite
Triggers
• Cover mattresses and
pillows in dust-proof
(allergen-
impermeable)
zippered covers
• Vacuum mattress,
chairs and carpeting
• Replace pillows every
5 years
21. Pets/Animals
• Skin flakes, urine, and saliva of warm blooded
animals can be asthma triggers
• Triggers can remain inside for several months
after an animal is removed, even with cleaning
22. Molds
• A type of fungus
• Grow on damp
surfaces
• Molds grow by
releasing spores
• Grow on organic
materials: wood,
drywall, wallpaper,
carpet, foods
23. Avoiding Mold Triggers
• Mold problems are caused by excess
moisture
Correct the moisture problem first!
• Maintain low indoor humidity (between
30-50%)
Warm air holds more water than cold air
• Fix leaky plumbing
• Empty and regularly clean refrigerator
drip pans
24. Avoiding Mold Triggers
• Run a bathroom fan during bathing
• Exhaust the dryer to the outdoors
• Control moisture in the crawlspace
• Replace carpet with hard-surface floors in
basement
• Use air conditioner to lower humidity
25. More on Mold
• Don’t need to test for mold--if you see it
or smell it--then you have mold
• Clean up small areas with a bleach
solution--
1/2 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water
• Limit houseplants--since soil/leaves
contain mold--at least in bedrooms
• Clean when children are not present
26. Pests (especially
Cockroaches)
• Many people are allergic to the body parts and
droppings of cockroaches
• People who have dust allergies frequently have
cockroach allergies
27. Avoiding Pests
• Avoiding pests like cockroaches is hard
to do in Alabama--we have mild winters,
humidity and lots of rainfall
• 3 steps to avoid pests indoors:
1. Prevention
2. Identification
3. Control
28. Preventing Pests
Get rid of places for pests to hide and
sources of food and water
• reduce clutter (boxes, stacks of newspapers,
grocery bags)
• do not leave food or garbage out
• clean up food spills and crumbs
• caulk cracks and crevices
29. Controlling Pests
• Make sure you identify the pest before
using pesticides
• Use less toxic baits, boric acid or traps
first--before using toxic pesticides
• If you use sprays:
Limit spray to infested area
Ventilate room--sprays may be a trigger for
asthma or cause lung irritation
