Transcript What is an Asthma Trigger - Suffolk County Community College

Presented by
The Asthma Coalition of Long Island
Asthma Coalition of Long Island
Our mission is to reduce the burden of asthma
by assisting every child with asthma to
achieve optimal control, and by improving
the quality of life for children, their families
and our community.
We do this by…
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Asthma awareness, education and advocacy efforts
in the community
Culturally sensitive patient education to develop
self-management skills for the best control of the
disease
Surveillance and monitoring of asthma prevalence
Effective and efficient clinical care and case
management
Environmental partnerships
Current Strategies
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Partnerships with local colleges to disseminate
asthma education in LI schools, Child Care and
Head Start Centers
Conduct a Biennial School Nurse Asthma
Prevalence Survey
Serve as a resource for up-to-date asthma
information for school and childcare facilities
Translate the NHLBI Asthma Guidelines into
Practice
Develop patient asthma education tools
Overview
 Defining Asthma
 Asthma Emergencies
 Asthma Triggers
 Medications
What is Asthma?
Who is most at risk for asthma?
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Children
Low-income, urban residents
Some minorities
Allergic children
Children with a family history of asthma
Asthma Facts
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Most common chronic childhood disease, 6.5
million children under 18 have asthma
12.8 million school days missed each year
3 children die from asthma each day
According to ACLI’s School Nurse Survey,
asthma incidence rate has increased from
7.6% in 2004 to 8.3% in 2008
Asthma Symptoms
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Coughing
At night
 After physical activity
 Lasts more than a week
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Wheezing
Chest tightness
Shortness of Breath
Warning Signs of an Asthma
Episode
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Coughing or wheezing
Shortness of breath
Rapid breathing
Verbal complaints
During an Asthma Episode
Stay calm
 Try to get the child to relax
 Follow the child’s Asthma Care Plan
 Call parent/guardian or doctor if little
improvement
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Asthma Medications
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Rescue medications
Should be used during an asthma episode
 May be used prior to exercise
 Relieve symptoms by relaxing muscles
around airways
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Controller medications
Taken daily
 Help reduce swelling in airways
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Medication Delivery Devices
What is an Asthma Trigger
Dust
Specific things a child may react to which can cause an asthma episode
Source: Asthma Coalition of Long Island
Girl Scouts Asthma Awareness Patch Program: Girls Having Strong, Healthy Lungs
ASTHMA TRIGGERS: INFECTIONS
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VIRAL
 Colds
 Pneumonia
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BACTERIAL
 Strep Throat
 Ear Infection
 Pneumonia
ASTHMA TRIGGERS: IRRITANTS
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Smoke
Cigarette
 Pipe
 Cigar
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Pollution
Smog
 Poor Air Quality
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ASTHMA TRIGGERS: ALLERGENS
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Dust mites – encase pillows and mattresses,
remove carpets, vacuum with HEPA filter
Molds – keep damp areas well aired, use
dehumidifiers, avoid wet leaves and garden debris
Animal dander – no pets, avoid feathers
ASTHMA TRIGGERS: ALLERGENS
Pollens – keep children indoors when
counts are high, do not use fans, use air
conditioning when possible
 Cockroaches – wipe up spills, keep food
enclosed, use roach control products
when children are not present
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Other Asthma Triggers
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Strong Smells-avoid room deodorizers, perfumes
and scented candles
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Colds and Infections-get yearly flu shots, wash
hands frequently, keep sick children home
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Weather-cover child’s mouth and nose in cold,
avoid outdoor air pollution when possible
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Strong emotions such as laughing and crying
Exercise – occurs during exertion – play time
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What Can You Do?
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Encourage parents of children with asthma to get
an Asthma Care Plan for their child
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Be a detective—look around your classroom and
find potential asthma triggers
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Find ways to make your center “Asthma Friendly”
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Reduce the number of stuffed toys from your classroom
Keep sleeping areas dust free
Maintain a smoke-free facility
The Asthma Coalition of Long Island envisions a community
linked together to support every child in every family
to control his/her asthma
In order to live full and active lives….
Funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Health to
The American Lung Association