Transcript Introduction for Asthma Health Promoters

What Everyone Should Know about
Asthma
Asthma Health Information for Health Promoters
Modified powerpoint originally created by
Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma and
adapted for use by HHO Health
Promoters
December 2006
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.
What Is Happening During an
Asthma Attach ?
When someone is having an asthma attack the
following is happening:
1. The lining of the airway is swollen and irritated.
2. The muscles around the airway tighten and make
it hard to breathe.
3. The airway makes a thick mucus.
What Is Happening During
an Asthma Attack in the Lungs?
Asthma Warning Signs
Warning signs are clues that your child’s asthma may be
getting worse.
 Runny stuffy nose
Know Your
Child’s Warning
Signs!
 Headache
 Tickle in throat
 Child has a cold or flu
 Coughing
 Restless
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
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
What Causes Asthma Attacks?
AN ASTHMA TRIGGER IS…
anything that sets off asthma symptoms
TRIGGERS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Asthma Medications and Devices
Types of Medications
 Long-term “controller” medicine
 Quick-relief “rescue” medicine
Long-Term Medications
 Long-term “controller” medicine prevents
swelling and inflammation of the airway and should
be used every day, even when feeling well.
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.
Asthma Devices
Inhaler “the pump”
 Delivers inhaled medication in a spray mist form
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.
Asthma Devices
Nebulizer
 A machine that delivers medication in a mist.
Asthma Devices
Peak Flow Meter
 A device used to measure how air flows from
your lungs in one “fast blast.”
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.
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.
An Example of an Asthma
Action Plan
Describes
what
medicines
to use and
actions to
take
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.
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
Controlling Asthma
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.
Getting Asthma Under Control
 Learn about asthma triggers and how to
avoid them.
 Talk about peak flow monitoring with your
health-care provider.
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
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
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