AsthmaAsthma

Mindy RemingtonMindy Remington

Terri KallalTerri Kallal

Peace CollegePeace College

What is Asthma?What is Asthma?

A respiratory disorder in which children or A respiratory disorder in which children or adults have issues wheezing and/or adults have issues wheezing and/or difficulty breathing, tightness in chest and difficulty breathing, tightness in chest and coughing.coughing.

Usually experience symptoms after Usually experience symptoms after exercise, weather change, suffering from exercise, weather change, suffering from an illness, stress, and allergen exposure.an illness, stress, and allergen exposure.

Viral-Induced AsthmaViral-Induced Asthma

Viral-induced asthma mainly effects Viral-induced asthma mainly effects children, and it is believed that the majority children, and it is believed that the majority of children will outgrow it if treated of children will outgrow it if treated properly.properly.

Symptoms are typically only present Symptoms are typically only present during a viral infection. Usually begins with during a viral infection. Usually begins with a cold, or another type of virus.a cold, or another type of virus.

A child’s perspectiveA child’s perspective

Asthma AttackAsthma Attack

Shortness of breath.Shortness of breath.Wheezing/more severe cases of wheezing the Wheezing/more severe cases of wheezing the child could be retracting (pulling in chest when child could be retracting (pulling in chest when attempting to breath).attempting to breath).Child may complain of tightness in chest or pain Child may complain of tightness in chest or pain in chest.in chest.Intense cough that can’t be stopped or Intense cough that can’t be stopped or controlled (may sometimes cause child to controlled (may sometimes cause child to become sick to his/her stomach).become sick to his/her stomach).A severe attack may have blue fingertips, due to A severe attack may have blue fingertips, due to the lack of oxygen in the blood stream.the lack of oxygen in the blood stream.

Treatment OptionsTreatment Options

InhalersInhalers

Nebulizer treatmentsNebulizer treatments

Daily oral medication (Singulair, etc.)Daily oral medication (Singulair, etc.)

Oral steroids Oral steroids

Hospitalization – if other treatments are Hospitalization – if other treatments are not successful.not successful.

Quick relief vs. Long term careQuick relief vs. Long term care

Quick relief is used Quick relief is used during an attack to during an attack to reduce symptoms and reduce symptoms and help clear the help clear the airways.airways.

Long term care may Long term care may be a daily medication be a daily medication that is used to help that is used to help reduce the amount of reduce the amount of attacks. attacks.

Inhaler treatmentInhaler treatment

Nebulizer treatmentNebulizer treatment

Oral MedicationsOral Medications

Action PlanAction Plan

ResourcesResources

Bisgaard, Hans. 2001. “Persistent Wheezing in Very Young Bisgaard, Hans. 2001. “Persistent Wheezing in Very Young Preschool Children Reflects Lower Respiratory Inflammation.” Preschool Children Reflects Lower Respiratory Inflammation.” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Vol. Vol. 163, pg. 1290-1291.163, pg. 1290-1291.Courntey, Ursulla A., McCarter, Daniel F., Pollart, Susan M. 2005. Courntey, Ursulla A., McCarter, Daniel F., Pollart, Susan M. 2005. “Childhood Asthma: Treatment Update”. “Childhood Asthma: Treatment Update”. American Family American Family Physician. Physician. Vol. 71, Number 10, pg. 1959-1968.Vol. 71, Number 10, pg. 1959-1968.Murray, Clare S., Simpson, Angela, Custovic, Adnan. 2003. Murray, Clare S., Simpson, Angela, Custovic, Adnan. 2003. “Allergens, Viruses, and Asthma Exacerbations.” “Allergens, Viruses, and Asthma Exacerbations.” Proceedings of the Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society. American Thoracic Society. Vol. 1, pg. 99-104.Vol. 1, pg. 99-104.Rachelefsky, Gary. 2003. “Treating Exacerbations of Asthma in Rachelefsky, Gary. 2003. “Treating Exacerbations of Asthma in Children: The Role of Systematic Corticosteroids.” Children: The Role of Systematic Corticosteroids.” Official Journal of Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. the American Academy of Pediatrics. Vol. 112, Number 2, pg. 382-Vol. 112, Number 2, pg. 382-397.397.A special thanks to Daniel Remington for his first-person account of A special thanks to Daniel Remington for his first-person account of an asthma attack.an asthma attack.