What Everyone Should Know about Asthma Asthma Health Information for Health Promoters

1. What Everyone Should Know about AsthmaAsthma Health Information for Health Promoters Modified powerpoint originally created by Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma and adapted for use by HHO Health Promoters December 2006

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. What Is Happening During an Asthma Attack in the Lungs?

6. Know Your Child’s Warning Signs! Asthma Warning Signs Warning signs are clues that your child’s asthma may be getting worse. • Runny stuffy nose • Headache • Tickle in throat • Child has a cold or flu • Coughing • Restless

7. 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

8. 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

9. AN ASTHMA TRIGGER IS… anything that sets off asthma symptoms What Causes Asthma Attacks?

10. TRIGGERS

11. 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.

12. Ways to Avoid Triggers 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.

13. Ways to Avoid Triggers 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.

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

15. Ways to Avoid Triggers 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.

16. Asthma Medications and Devices

17. Types of Medications • Long-term “controller” medicine • Quick-relief “rescue” medicine

18. Long-Term Medications • Long-term “controller” medicine prevents swelling and inflammation of the airway and should be used every day, even when feeling well.

19. 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.

20. Asthma Devices Inhaler “the pump” • Delivers inhaled medication in a spray mist form

21. 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.

22. Asthma Devices Nebulizer • A machine that delivers medication in a mist.

23. Asthma Devices Peak Flow Meter • A device used to measure how air flows from your lungs in one “fast blast.”

24. Managing Asthma:Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) Meters The Peak Flow Meter allows the patient to assess the status of his or her asthma, and use that information in his or her asthma action plan.

25. 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.

26. An Example of an Asthma Action Plan Describes what medicines to use and actions to take

27. 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.

28. 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

29. Controlling Asthma

30. 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.

31. Getting Asthma Under Control • Learn about asthma triggers and how to avoid them. • Talk about peak flow monitoring with your health-care provider.

32. A Child With Well-Controlled Asthma • Sleeps through the night • Goes to school every day • Is able to play, take gym, and participate in sports

33. 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

34. 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