Asthma Management In Educational Settings

1. Asthma Management In Educational Settings Classroom Teacher Education Module

2. Overview • Asthma Basics • How to help students control asthma • Be prepared • Reduce triggers • Recognize symptoms • Understand medications • How to handle an asthma emergency • Other classroom issues • Exercise and asthma • Resources

3. Asthma Basics • What is asthma? • Chronic lung condition that causes breathing problems (asthma attacks) • Manageable disease • Who has asthma? • 4.8M US, 150K (1 in 10) Washington children • Level of severity varies from student to student

4. Asthma Basics (cont.) • What happens during an asthma attack? • Airways in lungs become smaller; extra mucus in airways can further block air • Symptoms include: coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath • What can trigger an asthma attack? • Respiratory illness, allergens, weather, irritants, emotions, exercise • Students may have different triggers

5. Asthma Basics (cont.)

6. How to Help Students Control Asthma: Be Prepared • Review student’s asthma management plan • Contact information • Student’s triggers • Asthma symptoms • Use of medications • Treatment plan • Have convenient access to asthma medications

7. How to Help Students Control Asthma: Reduce Triggers • Animals • Remove, isolate, keep cages clean • Cockroaches and other pests • Look for signs; do not leave food, water or garbage exposed; remove pest pathways and shelters; and use pest control products • Mold • Second-hand smoke • Dust mites • Regularly clean floors, upholstered furniture, pillows, etc. • Volatile Organic Compound exposure • Use safer alternatives for felt-tip pens, cleaning materials and art supplies

8. How to Help Students Control Asthma: Recognize Symptoms • Know student’s early warning signs, for example: • Coughing • Stuffy or runny nose • Fatigue • Agitation • Irritability • Know student’s asthma attack signs, for example: • Becoming anxious or scared • Wheezing while breathing • Incessant coughing • Tightness in chest • Shortness of breath • Sweaty, clammy skin

9. How to Help Students Control Asthma: Understand Medications • Preventive medications taken daily • e.g., Azmacort, Flovent, Singulair, Intal • Rescue medications to treat and relieve symptoms as needed • e.g., Ventolin, Proventil, Maxair • Using a metered dose inhaler/peak flow meter • Understand the possible side effects

10. How to Handle an Asthma Emergency • Contact the school nurse • Provide medications as directed by School Emergency Asthma Plan • Encourage student to relax and take slow, deep breaths • Always have someone accompany the student with asthma symptoms when going to the office or nurse’s office

11. How to Handle an Asthma Emergency (cont.) • Call 911 if: • No improvement 15-20 minutes after initial treatment with medication • Medications are not available and student has signs of asthma attack • Lips or nail beds turn gray or blue (students with light complexions) • Paling of lips or nail beds (students with dark complexions) • Decreasing or loss of consciousness

12. Other Classroom Issues • Asthma and physical activity • Exercise-induced asthma is more common • Encourage physical activity and asthma control: • Have student take medication before activity • Provide warm-up and cool-down activities • Adjust activity as necessary • Monitor student • Develop clear, fair procedure for handling missed schoolwork

13. Resources • Spokane • Camp Champ • Statewide • www.alaw.org • Websites • www.asthmabusters.org • www.asthmaandschools.org • www.lungusa.org