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ASTHMA IN SCHOOLS

ASTHMA IN SCHOOLS. Lynn Franklin RN, BScN Halton Region Public Health Nurse Sue Murphy RN, CAE Credit Valley Hospital Research Assistant , University of Toronto. Managing Asthma in School. Objectives: Understand asthma Be able to recognize signs & symptoms of worsening asthma

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ASTHMA IN SCHOOLS

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  1. ASTHMA IN SCHOOLS Lynn Franklin RN, BScN Halton Region Public Health Nurse Sue Murphy RN, CAE Credit Valley Hospital Research Assistant , University of Toronto

  2. Managing Asthma in School Objectives: • Understand asthma • Be able to recognize signs & symptoms of worsening asthma • Know how to manage worsening asthma episodes • Know where to access information and resources related to asthma

  3. What’s the big deal? • 1 in 5 students have asthma • Leading cause of • School absenteeism • Emergency department visits • Hospitalizations • >50% have poor control of the disease • 80% of asthma deaths are preventable • Asthma and anaphylaxis commonly co-exist

  4. What is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that occurs in the airways (or breathing tubes) of the lungs.

  5. Asthma Triggers • Triggers make asthma worse • Common triggers include • Colds/Viruses • Physical activity • Weather (hot, cold and humid) • Pets • Dust and dust mites • Mould • Grasses, trees, pollen • Poor air quality • Scents

  6. Or Well Controlled Asthma Trachea Open Airway

  7. Asthma Signs & Symptoms • Coughing • Wheezing • Chest tightness • Shortness of breath • Difficulty breathing

  8. Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA) • One of the most common triggers • Symptoms may occur during or after exercise • All students need to be physically active • Avoidance of exercise is not a solution

  9. Prevention and Treatment of Exercise Induced Asthma • Prevention is key • If student already having trouble with asthma, don’t start activity • Use warm-up and cool down times • Allow students who have EIA, to use their reliever/rescue blue inhaler 10-15 minutes prior to exercise

  10. Prevention and Treatment of Exercise Induced Asthma • Treatment of EIA • STOP the activity, SIT and REST • Take reliever/rescue (blue) inhaler • Symptoms should improve within 5-10 minutes of taking the reliever • When symptoms are relieved, the student can resume the activity

  11. The Signs of Worsening Asthma • Coughing • Chest tightness or difficulty breathing • Wheezing (not always heard) • Increased restlessness and irritability • Increased use of reliever

  12. What to do • Encourage the student to use reliever inhaler immediately • Stay calm and reassure the student • Coach the student to slow down their breathing and to breathe in deeply • Notify the parent of the episode • Student can resume normal activity once feeling better

  13. Dangerous Signs of Worsening Asthma • No improvement within 5-10 minutes of taking the reliever/rescue inhaler • Student is unable to catch a breath – breathing more than 25 breaths per minute • Only able to talk 1-3 words before needing to take another breath

  14. Dangerous Signs of Worsening Asthma • The neck muscles tighten • You may notice that the ribs are showing with each breath • Lips and nails are blue or gray These signs indicate an EMERGENCY.

  15. In an Emergency… • Call 911 • Encourage the student to continue using the blue reliever inhaler • Stay calm, remain with the student • Encourage the student to breath slowly and deeply

  16. Controller Medication • Controls asthma and prevents asthma symptoms • Decreases and prevents swelling of the airways • Can take days to weeks of regular use to work effectively • Usually taken 2 times a day - before and after school at home • Various colours (orange, purple, brown, red)

  17. Reliever/Rescue Medication • A rescue medication – usually blue in colour- opens up the airways • Provides quick relief, within minutes • Relaxes the muscles of the airways • Taken only when needed or prior to exercise if necessary • Needs to be accessible at all times

  18. Demonstration

  19. Asthma is controlled when . . . • No missed school because of asthma • Physical activity is normal • Appear well-rested because asthma symptoms have not caused nighttime awakenings • Blue reliever inhaler is needed less than 4 times/week (does not include inhaler use for exercised induced asthma)

  20. For More Information… • Creating Asthma Friendly Schools • www.asthmainschools.com • Lung Association Asthma Action Helpline • 1-800-668-7682 or www.on.lung.ca • Asthma Society Helpline • 1-800-787-3880 or www.asthma.ca • Halton Asthma Project Coordinator • Lynn Franklin 905-825-6000 ext. 2547

  21. Credits • Lynn Franklin RN, BScN Halton Public Health School Asthma Project Coordinator • Sue Murphy RN, CAE Credit Valley Hospital • Rebecca Lewis, RN, BScN Halton Public Health School Asthma Project • Boris Hofman, Media Specialist Halton Catholic District School Board • Bob Soroko, Halton Catholic District School Board

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