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Asthma & Allergies

Asthma & Allergies. What is Asthma?. Chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway, making breathing difficult Usually reversible, but not yet curable Can be fatal Not contagious Not the same as allergies. Should You Be Concerned?.

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Asthma & Allergies

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  1. Asthma & Allergies

  2. What is Asthma? • Chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway, making breathing difficult • Usually reversible, but not yet curable • Can be fatal • Not contagious • Not the same as allergies

  3. Should You Be Concerned? • More than 22 million people in the U.S. have asthma, this includes about 6.7 million children • Asthma is a leading reason for school absenteeism.

  4. Breathing tubes swell up Muscles around these tubes tighten Tubes make large amounts of a thick fluid called mucus What Happens During an Asthma Episode?

  5. Warning Signs of an Asthma Episode • Coughing • Wheezing • Chest tightness • Shortness of Breath

  6. When Having a Severe Asthma Episode • Go to the emergency room right away • Signs of a severe episode • Rescue or inhaler medicine doesn’t help within 15 minutes • Person’s lips or fingernails are blue • Person has trouble walking or talking due to shortness of breath

  7. Asthma Triggers Pollen Dander Mold Dust Secondhand Tobacco Smoke

  8. Other Common Asthma Triggers • Cleaning products like furniture polish or dusting sprays • Personal care products like hair spray or perfume • Flu, Colds

  9. What are Allergies? • An unusual reaction to something, like a food or a plant, which is normally harmless. • 40 to 50 million people have allergies. • Breathing can be difficult.

  10. Common Signs of Allergies • Stuffy or runny nose • Itching • A rash

  11. Common Allergens An allergen is something that causes allergy signs or allergic reaction. Many of the asthma triggers can also cause allergic reactions in people who don’t have allergies.

  12. Some Other Common Allergens Foods Medicine Insect Stings and bites Contact allergens

  13. Know your triggers Healthy Housekeeping Keep Down Dust Mites Pets Check Appliances Smoking Mold Control Other Pests Controlling Asthma & Allergies

  14. Visit the Healthy Homes Partnership site: www.healthyhomespartnership.net For more information on healthy home environments Special thanks to North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension for the original creation of these slides: Dr. M. Cassandra Wiggins Dr. Sarah D. Kirby Dr. Wilma S. Hammett

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