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YOU’VE GOT THE POWER

YOU’VE GOT THE POWER. Asthma control for ‘tweens and teens. Click to advance. You have asthma. Does it control you or do you control it?. AAFA-TX. Did you know. asthma can begin at any age: as a baby, a young child, a teen or even as an adult

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YOU’VE GOT THE POWER

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  1. YOU’VE GOT THE POWER Asthma control for ‘tweens and teens Click to advance

  2. You have asthma. Does it control you or do you control it? AAFA-TX

  3. Did you know • asthma can begin at any age: as a baby, a young child, a teen or even as an adult • any one can get asthma no matter what race, color, sex or how rich or poor you are AAFA-TX

  4. Let’s talk about asthma and you. What is the truth about asthma? AAFA-TX

  5. When you’re in control of your asthma • You have little or no symptoms of asthma • You can sleep through the night without coughing or wheezing • You don’t miss school or social activities because of asthma symptoms • You can participate in sports or other activities without asthma symptoms • You don’t need to go to the hospital because of asthma symptoms AAFA-TX

  6. What is asthma? • Asthma is a lifelong or chronic lung disease making your lungs and airways very sensitive; some kids seem to "outgrow" asthma in their teens, but the symptoms can return years later • You have asthma every day even if you don't have symptoms. It’s a very serious condition and if not treated right, it can cause death, but when controlled, people with asthma can live normal lives AAFA-TX

  7. The truth? • No one knows what causes asthma • Asthma isn’t a punishment, you did nothing wrong to get it • Asthma isn’t contagious like a cold or the flu. A friend can’t “catch” asthma from you, and its nothing to be ashamed of • 1 out of every 7 teens has asthma – you’re not alone • Asthma isn’t new, it’s been around for over a thousand years and it’s a worldwide problem AAFA-TX

  8. The truth? Having asthma isn’t an excuse for failure. Only YOU can limit yourself. AAFA-TX

  9. Ever hear of these people? Che Guevera, political revolutionary Charles Dickens, the novelist Alice Cooper, performer AAFA-TX

  10. Dennis Rodman, champion basketball player Emmitt Smith, Pro Football Hall of Fame Jason Alexander, comedian, actor, singer AAFA-TX

  11. John F. Kennedy, President of the USA Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic Gold Medalist Kenny G, Grammy Winning musician AAFA-TX

  12. Amy Van Dyken, Olympic Swimmer Ricki Lake, TV personality, actress AAFA-TX

  13. Tyler Perry, actor, comedian, writer, producer, director (second highest grossing producer behind James Cameron) & studio head Sharon Stone, actress AAFA-TX

  14. Jerome Bettis, Pro Football Hall of Fame Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Louganis, Olympic Gold Medalist Diver AAFA-TX

  15. Or maybe you heard of these Texas teens* Kaitlyn Vance Krystal English Austin Baty Nikkia Guerra Will Gaffney Randy Fowler AAFA-TX * AAFA-TX Memorial Scholarship Recipients

  16. They all have asthma, just like you • Asthma has many faces. You, too, can reach your highest goals, fulfill your dreams even if you have asthma • If you control your asthma, anything is possible AAFA-TX

  17. You have the power to control your asthma. Why give away your power? • When you were a kid, your parents took care of you, gave you your asthma meds, watched out for your symptoms, nagged you to take your meds AAFA-TX

  18. Now you’re becoming a young adult – YOU want to take charge of your life • You want to choose your friends and go places of your choice • You want to decide when to go to bed, what to eat, how much to text and be on Facebook • You want to take charge of your life AAFA-TX

  19. A big part of taking charge of your life is taking charge of your asthma AAFA-TX

  20. How can you take charge of your asthma? • You can learn all you can about the disease: what causes the symptoms, how to prevent symptoms or attacks, what to do if symptoms appear • If you do this, then you’re in control of your disease. You’ve proven to yourself and parents that you are trustworthy. You have the power, not anyone else. It’s your choice AAFA-TX

  21. You may wonder – why me? What did I do to get asthma? AAFA-TX

  22. You didn’t do anything wrong. Scientists think asthma is caused by things you can’t control: • An inherited gene; if one of your parents has asthma, there’s a good chance you might have it • Our environment – the chemicals and pollution, including smoking, that irritate lungs • Respiratory infections AAFA-TX

  23. What are some truths about asthma you should know to take control? ? ? ? ? ? AAFA-TX

  24. You need to know the truth about what causes the signs or symptoms of asthma AAFA-TX

  25. 1. Sensitive airways react to triggers • “Triggers,” things that cause asthma symptoms, are different for different people • They include: pollens; animal dander from any animal with fur or feathers; dust mites; mold; cockroach droppings; smoke; weather; respiratory infections (colds, flu, bronchitis); strong odors including candles, air fresheners and perfumes; chemicals; pollution; ozone; strong emotions; exercise and for some, foods like milk, soy products, nuts or shellfish AAFA-TX

  26. What triggers your asthma? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? AAFA-TX

  27. 2. Asthma is different for every person and can change over time • Some have very mild symptoms once in a while • Others have more symptoms more often and they’re more severe symptoms • Others have very bad asthma symptoms almost all the time – this kind of asthma is harder to control AAFA-TX

  28. When you have an asthma flare or attack • The lining of the airways in the lungs swells or gets inflamed • Then the airways make a thick mucus, gunking up the airways • The muscles around the airways tighten and make the airways even narrower • These changes in the lungs block the flow of air, making it hard to breathe – and all of this can be pretty scary AAFA-TX

  29. Are there any clues or early warnings an attack is coming? YES! BUT different people may have different clues at different times The most common warning signs are: • Shortness of breath • Chest tightness, feeling like you’re being squeezed around the middle • Wheezing (noisy breathing) • Coughing that lasts for a long time, usually at night or after exercise • Having a cold that lasts for more than 10 days and that settles into your chest • Low readings on your peak flow meter AAFA-TX

  30. What should you do when you notice the clues? • An asthma flare can start fast or slow. Follow your written Asthma Action Plan, the one you helped your doctor prepare • Stay Calm! Easy to say, hard to do, but getting panicky makes the attack worse • Don’t try to tough it out alone. Tell an adult, any one around you, or if no adults are around, tell a friend. They can get help if you need it • Use your Quick Relief or Emergency (albuterol) inhaler as written on your action plan • If you aren’t breathing better in 5-10 minutes, use your inhaler again and call 911. Keep using your inhaler every 10 min. till 911 gets there AAFA-TX

  31. It’s true - many with asthma need to use medicines every day • There are 2 types of asthma medicines: Rescue or Emergency medicines and Controller medicines • Every one with asthma should have a rescue, or albuterol, inhaler at all times even though they don’t need it all the time. It gives you quick relief from asthma symptoms in an emergency • Many with persistent or severe asthma also need to take daily controller meds which prevent the symptoms and help control the disease, preventing attacks • If you have mild asthma, you may not need any controller meds AAFA-TX

  32. Do you need to use controller meds even when you’re not sick? • Yes. Your controller medicine, usually an inhaled corticosteroid, works over a long period of time to help stop inflammation that makes your airways twitchy so they’re less likely to react when you have a cold or are around one of your triggers – they prevent symptoms, but don’t work for emergencies • You need to use your controller every day for it to work, usually first thing in the morning and last thing at night. The medicine works about 12 hrs AAFA-TX

  33. True or False? All steroids are bad and illegal. • False! Corticosteroids aren’t the same meds as athletes and body builders use to build muscle. Those anabolic steroids are dangerous and using them is illegal • The inhaled corticosteroids used in asthma controller meds are a lot like steroids made naturally in your body. When you inhale them, they go to your airway, not your muscles, to get rid of the inflammation that causes asthma symptoms AAFA-TX

  34. Is it true steroids make you fat? • Nope. Your controller inhaler contains such a low dose of steroids that it won’t make you put on weight • BUT sometimes when asthma is really bad you need to use steroid tablets too. These tablets will increase your appetite, but if you watch how much you eat while taking them, you won’t gain weight AAFA-TX

  35. Is it dangerous in other ways to use inhaled steroids? The truth is All medications may have some side-effects, some serious. Your inhaler can make you a little hoarse because some of the medication stays in your mouth and throat. It helps to rinse your mouth with water after using the medication. (don’t swallow – spit the water out) AAFA-TX

  36. Tell your doctor if • You feel very nervous or jittery when using your asthma inhalers • You feel sleepy using your meds • You don’t feel “like yourself” – sort of spacey, out of control • These may be side effects of the type of medicine you’re taking and your doctor can help by changing meds or the amount you use AAFA-TX

  37. The truth is, there is a right and wrong way to use rescue inhalers • Medicine is only good if you use it the right way. If you don’t use it at all, or use it wrong, that’s the worst thing you can do for yourself • There are different techniques to using a rescue inhaler – open mouth and closed mouth, each has benefits and drawbacks. Find what is right for you AAFA-TX

  38. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to demonstrate the proper techniques but the basic technique is the same AAFA-TX

  39. 1) prime the canister if new or it hasn’t been used in several weeks (follow manufacturer’s instructions - depress 2-3 sprays or more as directions state, pointing the spray away from the face when priming) 2) remove the cap from the holding chamber’s mouthpiece and hold the inhaler upright (check for dust or lint) 3) shake the inhaler to mix the medication with the propellant gas 4) tilt head back slightly and breathe out completely 5) if using the ‘open mouth’ method, place the inhaler about 2 fingers’ width away from your lips and opened mouth then press down once on the canister to spray the medication into the air and breathe in as the medication is dispensed into the air AAFA-TX

  40. 6) if using the “closed mouth’ method, place your lips tightly around the mouthpiece then press down once on the canister to expel the medication into your mouth and inhale slowly – 3-5 seconds 7) with either method, once inhaled, hold your breath 5 to 10 seconds (count 1001, 1002, 1003, etc.) 8) exhale slowly through your nose 9) if two puffs or sprays are prescribed, wait at least 30 seconds, then repeat steps 4-8 10) rinse your mouth with water (spit the water out, never swallow) or brush your teeth to eliminate a bad taste and help prevent oral thrush. This is especially recommended if the medication is a corticosteroid AAFA-TX

  41. It’s true, your inhalers need attention now and then • Most rescue inhalers can be carried in a pocket or bag without a problem but one brand, Ventolin HFA inhaler, must be stored in an upright position • Don’t keep inhalers in bathrooms or any place where it’s damp – it will clog up the medicine • Inhalers do get gummed up and need cleaned once in a while. If you see white crystals or gunk around the spray hole, its time to clean it. NEVER wet the canister of medicine itself, just rinse and dry the L-shaped mouthpiece completely in warm water before putting the canister back into the tube AAFA-TX

  42. There are detailed steps to both using and cleaning your inhalers and asthma devices • Find these instructions on http://www.aafatexas.org/toolsforschools AAFA-TX

  43. Ok, so how can you use your power to control asthma? • Stop the symptoms from happening by learning what your triggers are, then avoiding them • Use your controller meds daily if your doctor says you need them • When you notice the first signs or clues of an on-coming attack, use your emergency inhaler the way your action plan tells you • Get help if your emergency inhaler isn’t stopping the symptoms – call 911 AAFA-TX

  44. True or False? It’s ok to hang around with friends who smoke • False! Smoking is one of the most dangerous things anyone can do for their health; the nicotine is addictive, smoking causes cancer, heart troubles and serious respiratory infections as well as asthma • A new study shows that if a teen smokes 300 cigarettes a year (or more) they have a much greater risk for getting asthma then teens who don’t smoke at all AAFA-TX

  45. Secondhand or ambient smoke is more dangerous then smoking itself • If you’re really using your power to take control, you’ll avoid being around any smoking • If your parents smoke, ask them to stop for your sake as well as their own • Make a deal with them: you’ll use your asthma meds as directed if they quit smoking AAFA-TX

  46. True or false: if your asthma is in control, you can have fun in sports and all other activities with your friends • True! Ask your doctor if your asthma is in control • Some sports are better then others for asthmatics, but being active is fun and good for everyone • Your doctor may tell you to use your rescue inhaler before practice or a game or another activity – follow your action plan AAFA-TX

  47. The truth? If you don’t take control of your asthma • Your asthma may get worse • You’ll miss a lot of school, fall behind and have problems catching up – you won’t feel good about yourself at all • You’ll miss fun activities with friends • You may spend a lot of time in hospital AAFA-TX

  48. True or false? Your friends will make fun of you if you use your inhaler. It’s not cool to use your meds. • True, maybe some of them will be mean to you, but it’s not cool to end up in the hospital either, or, if you ignore your asthma, to perhaps die from it. 14 people a day die from it – and some of these are kids your age AAFA-TX

  49. Knowing who you are as a person is what makes you powerful • If you let your friends tell you what to think or how to act, or are afraid of what others think when you’re doing the right thing, you’re giving away your power • Be the person who is in control of their own power AAFA-TX

  50. If your friends make fun of you because you have asthma • they’re not your friends! Friends don’t take away your power • Take control - find new friends who understand and treat you with respect • Since 1 in 7 teens has asthma, you’ll be surprised how many kids in your school have asthma just like you – you’re not alone AAFA-TX

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