Asthma

Milestone #1Deborah Salomon

EEC 4731

What is Asthma?

• Acute respiratory disorder• Chronic disease that affects the airways• Form of allergic response• Can be inherited and worsens if no treatment is given• Inside walls of airways usually become swollen, and may

be sore

• Asthma is increasing at a fast rate. Some of the factors that have been found to be affecting this are:– Indoor environments– Early infant feeding practices• Encouraged to breast feed• Hold off solid food until children reach 6 months

– Sanitation standards– Increased air pollution

“About one in 12 people in the United States now has asthma, a total of 24.6 million people and an increase of 4.3 million since 2001” (Maugh II)

Triggers

• Airborne Allergens• Foods• Second hand cigarette

smoke• Respiratory infections• Stress• Change in

temperature• Vigorous exercise

Symptoms

• Wheezing• Coughing• Difficulty breathing• Chest tightness• Abnormal

breathing pattern

•Bluish color on lips or face•Decreased level of alertness•Extreme difficulty breathing•Rapid pulse•Severe anxiety•Sweaty•Chest pain

Emergency Symptoms

Treatment

• Medications• Anti-inflammatory drugs• Bronchodilators• Inhaler• Aerosol breathing treatment

In the Classroom• Teachers should have a meeting with parents to be informed of child’s asthma

history. Including:– Common triggers– Symptoms and signs– Medication needed

• Identify substances that may cause flare ups, and remove them from classroom.• Keep classroom clean

– Frequent dusting and vacuuming– Changing air filters frequently

• If weather affects a child's’ asthma one should be aware and take precautions.

Bibliography

• Marotz, Lynn R. “Chapter 5: Conditions Affecting Children’s Health.” Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child. 7th Ed. 2009. Print.

• Maugh II, Thomas. (2011, May 03). Asthma rates increasing in U.S., despite less smoking and decreased air pollution. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/03/news/la-heb-asthma-rates-increasing-05032011

• MedlinePlus. (2011, Sept. 7) Asthma. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthma.html

• PubMed Health. (2011, May 1) Asthma. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001196/#adam_000141.disease.symptoms