ASTHMAASTHMA

The symptoms of asthma are caused when The symptoms of asthma are caused when airways narrow and become inflamed.airways narrow and become inflamed.

ALLERGIC TRIGGERSALLERGIC TRIGGERS

Pollens Pollens

House dust mites House dust mites

Animal dander Animal dander

Mold spores (indoor and outdoor) Mold spores (indoor and outdoor)

Cockroaches Cockroaches

NON ALLERGIC TRIGGERSNON ALLERGIC TRIGGERS

Air PollutionAir PollutionFumesFumesPerfumesPerfumesHousehold cleaning agentsHousehold cleaning agentsInsecticidesInsecticidesFresh paintFresh paintTobacco smoke Tobacco smoke InfectionInfection

DIAGNOSISDIAGNOSIS

Doctor or nurse use a device called peak flow meter. Doctor or nurse use a device called peak flow meter. This measures how much, how fast, air can be expelled This measures how much, how fast, air can be expelled from lungs. from lungs. This gives a measure of how severely breathing is This gives a measure of how severely breathing is affected. If measured regularly, over time, these affected. If measured regularly, over time, these readings can also help reveal how well or badly the readings can also help reveal how well or badly the asthma is being controlled.asthma is being controlled.A child can be diagnosed with asthma if he/she has A child can be diagnosed with asthma if he/she has inhaled something that blocks the airways. inhaled something that blocks the airways. In some adults, the symptoms of asthma may be a sign In some adults, the symptoms of asthma may be a sign of heart disease, especially if wheeziness occurs when of heart disease, especially if wheeziness occurs when there has never been an asthma attack in the past. Heart there has never been an asthma attack in the past. Heart failure can cause congestion (excess fluid) of the lungs, failure can cause congestion (excess fluid) of the lungs, and have symptoms similar to asthma.and have symptoms similar to asthma.

TREATMENTTREATMENT

Try to avoid anything that might make Try to avoid anything that might make asthma worse, or bring on an attack. asthma worse, or bring on an attack. Measure peak flow regularly, especially Measure peak flow regularly, especially first thing in the morning, is a useful way of first thing in the morning, is a useful way of monitoring the condition and checking monitoring the condition and checking whether any treatments are helpingwhether any treatments are helpingMost common way is an inhaler which Most common way is an inhaler which delivers a measured dose of medicine.delivers a measured dose of medicine.A reliever medicine opens up airways. A reliever medicine opens up airways.

MANAGING ASTHMAMANAGING ASTHMA

You can control it yourself to a large degree.You can control it yourself to a large degree.Plan ahead. Always have your reliever available to help Plan ahead. Always have your reliever available to help yourself when you feel the symptoms coming on. yourself when you feel the symptoms coming on. Talk to your doctor and find other information to help you Talk to your doctor and find other information to help you understand what might be causing the asthma, and how understand what might be causing the asthma, and how to avoid the triggers. to avoid the triggers. In the year 2000, nearly 5,000 Americans died due to In the year 2000, nearly 5,000 Americans died due to asthma-related problems asthma-related problems

Most common chronic illness among children Most common chronic illness among children and a leading cause of school absences. and a leading cause of school absences.

MANAGING ASTHMAMANAGING ASTHMA

Minimize outdoor activities when pollen counts are high. Minimize outdoor activities when pollen counts are high. Peak pollen times are usually between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Peak pollen times are usually between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Keep your car windows closed when travelingKeep your car windows closed when travelingTry to stay indoors when humidity is reported to be high, Try to stay indoors when humidity is reported to be high, and on windy days when dust and pollen are blown and on windy days when dust and pollen are blown aboutaboutTake a shower after spending time outside—pollen can Take a shower after spending time outside—pollen can collect on your skin and haircollect on your skin and hairConsult an allergist/immunologist, who can evaluate your Consult an allergist/immunologist, who can evaluate your history and conduct tests to find out if your asthma history and conduct tests to find out if your asthma needs to be managed more effectively. They will help needs to be managed more effectively. They will help you develop an asthma action plan to manage your you develop an asthma action plan to manage your symptomssymptoms

EDUCATIONEDUCATION

IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS: IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS: A a comprehensive asthma program to identify students A a comprehensive asthma program to identify students with asthma, coordinate their care with medical providers with asthma, coordinate their care with medical providers and develop a school asthma registryand develop a school asthma registryAn indoor air-quality management program for 26 An indoor air-quality management program for 26 schools to reduce asthma triggers in the school schools to reduce asthma triggers in the school environmentenvironmentAsthma training for all teachers and staff in child-Asthma training for all teachers and staff in child-development centers and posting of asthma emergency development centers and posting of asthma emergency protocols in every classroomprotocols in every classroomAsthma emergency care programsAsthma emergency care programs

SCHOOLSSCHOOLS

More incidence of asthma in schoolsMore incidence of asthma in schools

More students using nebulizersMore students using nebulizers

Forty years ago boys with asthma Forty years ago boys with asthma outnumbered girls by two to one, but the outnumbered girls by two to one, but the latest figures suggested that the two sexes latest figures suggested that the two sexes were almost equal were almost equal

Highest rate of teenage asthma nowHighest rate of teenage asthma now

SMOKINGSMOKING

Children with asthma whose parents smoke at home are Children with asthma whose parents smoke at home are twice as likely to have asthma symptoms all year long twice as likely to have asthma symptoms all year long than children of non-smokers, a new study shows. than children of non-smokers, a new study shows. About 13 percent of parents of asthmatic children still About 13 percent of parents of asthmatic children still smoke — even though second-hand smoke is known to smoke — even though second-hand smoke is known to trigger asthma attacks and symptoms in kids.trigger asthma attacks and symptoms in kids.The chronic condition affects one in every seven The chronic condition affects one in every seven children.children.Substances in the air that can bring on an asthma attack Substances in the air that can bring on an asthma attack include dust, pollen, pet dander, stress, cockroach include dust, pollen, pet dander, stress, cockroach droppings, mold, air pollution, exercise, cold air — and droppings, mold, air pollution, exercise, cold air — and second-hand smoke. second-hand smoke.

WHO DOES IT AFFECT?WHO DOES IT AFFECT?

All age groupsAll age groupsAs many as 20 percent of children in some low-income, As many as 20 percent of children in some low-income, black and Hispanic urban neighborhoods black and Hispanic urban neighborhoods 6 percent to 8 percent of children generally6 percent to 8 percent of children generallyTwelve of every 1,000 black children through age 4 visit Twelve of every 1,000 black children through age 4 visit a hospital for asthma in Michigan each year, compared a hospital for asthma in Michigan each year, compared with three in 1,000 white children. with three in 1,000 white children. 5,000,000 children are affected5,000,000 children are affectedThere is no causal link between alcohol consumption There is no causal link between alcohol consumption during pregnancy and asthma during childhood during pregnancy and asthma during childhood

CURRENT FOCUSCURRENT FOCUS

Asthma rates have been climbing the past Asthma rates have been climbing the past 15 years. 15 years.

Estimates for direct and indirect costs of Estimates for direct and indirect costs of caring for patients with asthma is $12.6 caring for patients with asthma is $12.6 billion each year. billion each year.

EXERCISEEXERCISE

The condition should not limit people's physical activities. The condition should not limit people's physical activities. Children with asthma are less active than their peers by Children with asthma are less active than their peers by around half an hour a day on average. around half an hour a day on average. More than 20% of the children with asthma were not More than 20% of the children with asthma were not reaching the goal of normal physical activity. reaching the goal of normal physical activity.

One in five parents believe that exercise was dangerous One in five parents believe that exercise was dangerous for their child and a quarter afraid that their child would for their child and a quarter afraid that their child would get sick if they exercised. get sick if they exercised. Experts reiterate the importance of physical activity for Experts reiterate the importance of physical activity for children with asthma. children with asthma.

TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY

Profile has developed a platform of delivery Profile has developed a platform of delivery devices for respiratory drugs, including a novel devices for respiratory drugs, including a novel hand-held nebuliser called ProDose hand-held nebuliser called ProDose

Designed to automatically respond to a patients' Designed to automatically respond to a patients' breathing patterns to deliver a precise dose breathing patterns to deliver a precise dose synchronised with the patient's inhalation cycle synchronised with the patient's inhalation cycle

Children being monitored at home via virtual Children being monitored at home via virtual visits with case managers over the Web visits with case managers over the Web

WHAT SCHOOLS CAN DOWHAT SCHOOLS CAN DO

Identify students' known asthma triggers and eliminate as Identify students' known asthma triggers and eliminate as many as possible. For example, keep animals with fur out many as possible. For example, keep animals with fur out of the classroom. Consult the students' asthma of the classroom. Consult the students' asthma management plans for guidance.management plans for guidance.Use wood, tile or vinyl floor coverings instead of carpeting.Use wood, tile or vinyl floor coverings instead of carpeting.Schedule maintenance or pest control that involves strong Schedule maintenance or pest control that involves strong irritants and odors for times when students are not in the irritants and odors for times when students are not in the area and the area can be well ventilated.area and the area can be well ventilated.Adjust schedules for students whose asthma is worsened Adjust schedules for students whose asthma is worsened by pollen or cold air. A midday or indoor physical by pollen or cold air. A midday or indoor physical education class may allow more active participation.education class may allow more active participation.Help students follow their asthma management plans. Help students follow their asthma management plans. These plans are designed to keep asthma under control.These plans are designed to keep asthma under control.

ASTHMA MANAGEMENT PLANASTHMA MANAGEMENT PLAN

Brief history of the student's asthma. Brief history of the student's asthma. Asthma symptoms. Asthma symptoms. Information on how to contact the student's health care Information on how to contact the student's health care provider, parent/guardian. provider, parent/guardian. Physician and parent/guardian signature. Physician and parent/guardian signature. List of factors that make the student's asthma worse. List of factors that make the student's asthma worse. The student's personal best peak flow reading if the The student's personal best peak flow reading if the student uses peak flow monitoring. student uses peak flow monitoring. List of the student's asthma medications. List of the student's asthma medications. A description of the student's treatment plan, based on A description of the student's treatment plan, based on symptoms or peak flow readings, including symptoms or peak flow readings, including recommended actions for school personnel to help recommended actions for school personnel to help handle asthma episodes. handle asthma episodes. 

CHILD’S ACTION PLANCHILD’S ACTION PLAN

Warning signs of an asthma attack. List specific Warning signs of an asthma attack. List specific symptoms that signal your child's asthma attacks. symptoms that signal your child's asthma attacks. Steps you and your child can take to manage an Steps you and your child can take to manage an attack. Know ahead of time what medications you attack. Know ahead of time what medications you have on hand that you can use during an asthma have on hand that you can use during an asthma attack. attack. How to recognize and handle a serious attack. Know How to recognize and handle a serious attack. Know how to assess whether your child needs urgent how to assess whether your child needs urgent medical care. List criteria for determining the degree medical care. List criteria for determining the degree of your child's breathing difficulty. of your child's breathing difficulty. When emergency care is needed and what to do. When emergency care is needed and what to do. Write down the warning signs of a life-threatening Write down the warning signs of a life-threatening asthma attack. List emergency phone numbers and asthma attack. List emergency phone numbers and the location of the nearest hospital. the location of the nearest hospital.

RESOURCESRESOURCES

WWW.ASTHMA.ORG.UKWWW.ASTHMA.ORG.UK

WWW.NIAID.NIH.GOV/WWW.NIAID.NIH.GOV/

WWW.THEBODY.COM/NIAID.NIAID.HTMWWW.THEBODY.COM/NIAID.NIAID.HTM

WWW.VRC.NIH.GOVWWW.VRC.NIH.GOV

WWW.ALTANA.DEWWW.ALTANA.DE

AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETYAMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY

RESOURCES FOR TEACHERSRESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

The Allergy and Asthma Cure: A Complete EightThe Allergy and Asthma Cure: A Complete Eight-Step Nutritional Program-Step Nutritional Program Reversing Asthma : Breathe Easier with This Reversing Asthma : Breathe Easier with This Revolutionary New ProgramRevolutionary New ProgramAsthma for DummiesAsthma for DummiesWhat Your Doctor May Not tell You About What Your Doctor May Not tell You About Children's Allergies and Asthma: Simple Children's Allergies and Asthma: Simple Steps to Help Stop Attacks and Improve Your Steps to Help Stop Attacks and Improve Your Child's Health Child's Health AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETYAMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY