learn about asthma and breathe free!

asthmaactivity book

c l e a r t h e a i r. ta k e c a r e o f a s t h m a .

what is asthma?

what causes asthma?

chapter one

Hi! I’m the Big Bad Wolf. I have asthma, so sometimes huffing and

puffing is hard for me. But I’ve learned how to take care of asthma, and you can too! Follow me and my friends

through this book to learn how!

There are many reasons you could have asthma.

You can’t cure it, but you can control it!

what causes asthma?

asthma word scramble search this activity book to learn

the answers to the questions!

s l g u n

e x e h w e

l a o l r u t e b

e s r e c u

l c r t o r l e n o

r s c p a e

1. What part of your body is affected by asthma?

answers: 1) lungs | 2) wheeze | 3) Albuterol | 4) rescue | 5) controller | 6) spacer

2. This is the whistle sound in my chest.

3. This is the name of my rescue medicine.

4. This is the type of medicine that I use only when I need it.

5. This type of medicine helps keep my asthma under control.

6. I use this plastic tube so more medicine gets down in my lungs.

bronchusa large air tube that

begins at the end of the trachea and branches

into the lungs

bronchiolestiny branches of air

tubes in the lungs that connect to the alveoli

(air sacs)

alveolitiny air sacs in the lungs

where the body picks up oxygen

and lets go of carbon dioxide

trachea (breathing tube)

a large tube that brings air down to your lungs; also known as the windpipe

a look at your lungs!

here’s how it works!Your lungs look

kind of like an upside-down tree inside your body.

Air travels down the branches into

your lungs.

At the end of the branches are tiny air

sacs called alveoli. They look like

bunches of grapes.

This is where oxygen is exchanged for

carbon dioxide. And oxygen is what keeps

your body alive!

why is it hard to breathe?

The walls of your airways swell.The muscles in your airway get tighter.

There is more mucus in your airway, so air can’t get through.

Turn this book sideways to take a look at your airways!

why is it hard to breathe?

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action plan • albuterol • alveoli asthma • bronchi • bronchioles

controller medications • inflammation nebulizer • rescue medicine • trachea

asthma words you should know!

if you don’t know any of these, find them in this book!

parents: HoW To Tell IF Your cHIld Is HAvIng TrouBle BreATHIng

throatpulling in at the

neck area

belly breathing

use of stomach muscles to help with breathing

shortness of breath

• trouble breathing• unable to speak in full

sentences• trouble talking• looks like child is

working hard to breathe

other signs of trouble include:•flarednostrils•paleorbluecoloraroundmouth

•bluecolorinnailbeds•fastbreathing•noisybreathing •gruntingorwheezingsound

ribspulling in between

rib bones

collar bone

sinking in at collar bone

if you don’t know any of these, find them in this book!

indoor triggers:

things that make your asthma worse are called TRIGGERS

triggers can be things you’re allergic to, or things that irritate your lungs

these are some of the guys you should avoid if you have asthma!

chapter two

asthma triggers

indoor triggers:

asthma triggers smoke

dust mites

Keep your car and house smoke free.

avoid these guys:body parts and droppings found in mattresses, bedding, carpeting, curtains and draperies

Ask a parent to cover your mattress andpillowsinadust-proofzipperedcover

Don’t let any visitors smoke in your home!

Ask a parent to wash your bedding weekly in hot water and dry completely

Ask a parent to vacuum your carpet often

Ask a parent to mop hard floorsAsk a parent if they can vacuum with a HEPA filter

Try not to sleep with a lot of stuffed animals

Try to wash your stuffed animals frequently in hot water and dry them completely

household mold

household pestsClean up your food messes!

Clean up any mold you see!

Don’t keep moldy sponges & mops.

Limit houseplants - they can grow mold!

Use your air conditioner when possible.

If the humidity in your house is above 50%, ask your parents if they can get a dehumidifier.

Keep a lid on your garbage can!

Ask a parent seal holes /cracks in your walls

Ask a parent to use mouse & roach traps Avoid the use of sprays or chemicals, though.

household pests smoke, strong odors, fumes

Avoid the use of fireplaces & wood-burning stoves.

warm-blooded animals

avoid these guys:dander(skinflakes),urine,saliva

If you can, keep your pets outside.Keep your pet out of your bedroom!

Wash your hands after playing with your pet!

don’t use aerosol sprays, candles, or air fresheners.

avoid these guys:perfumes, aerosol sprays, cleaning products, candles, air fresheners

air pollution

avoid these guys: car exhaust, smoke, road dust, factory emissions

Ask your parent to check air quality report

outdoor triggers:

stay inside if the air quality is poor

use your air conditioner to help filter the air coming into the home

avoid campfire smoke exposure

outdoor triggers:pollen

illnesswash your hands with soap and water often

Ask your parent to close windows and doors during pollen season.

Ask your parent to use the air conditioning in your car

don’t dry your clothes outside.

Try not to go outside on windy days.

Use antihistamines before you go outside.

If you feel really bad after being outside, take a bath or shower and wash your hair

use hand gel when you can’t use soap and water

if your doctor agrees, get a flu shot every year

avoid crowds duringcoldandflu

weather changes

When it’s cold, wear a mask or scarf on your face.

exerciseTake your medicines before you exercise!

Take your medicines before you excercise!

Warm up first, and cool down afterward!

Try not to exercise when there is a lot of pollen or pollution! or when it’s really cold.

Try not to exercise when you’re sick.

When it’s hot, try to stay inside.

warm up before you do this!

keep windows and doors closed!

use the a/c to filter air in your home!

keep a lid on your garbage can!

wash your hands often!

keep your pets outside!

vacuum your carpet!

don’t use air fresheners!

wear a scarf over your face!

don’t let people smoke in your home!

don’t keep old sponges!

match the triggers with one way you can avoid it!

match the triggers with where you might find them!

1 Smoke

2 Dust Mites

3 Household Mold

4 Household Pests

5 Warm-Blooded Animals

6 Smoke, Strong Odors, Fumes

7 Air Pollution

8 Pollen

9 Exercise

10 Hot Weather

11 Cold Weather

make your own asthma action planchapter three

1

2

3

what are your triggers?

think about times when you have trouble breathing, or are coughing, or have allergy symptoms like sneezingoritching

try to notice when you have symptoms, and ask a parent, teacher, or doctor to help you figure out which triggers are

read in chapter three how to avoid your triggers, and ask your parent or school nurse to help you avoid them

when it’s cold

when I spend a lot of time outside

when I’m around mold

when I’m around strong smells

when I exercise

when I’m around someone smoking

when I’m sick

when I’m around car exhaust or smoke

when I’m at home

when I’m around beds or carpet

when I’m around pets

when it’s hot

circle: my asthma gets worse...

what are your symptoms?

My chest feels tight

Sometimes I wheeze

I have allergies: sneezing and itching

I cough a lot

I have trouble breathing when I’m working or playing

Sometimes I am too tired to walk

Sometimes I feel like I need to lie down because I can’t breathe

Have a parent or teacher help you find your symptoms if you don’t know!There are more in chapter one!

trigger:

trigger:

trigger:

steps I will take to avoid it:

steps I will take to avoid it:

steps I will take to avoid it:

what to do!

asthma action plan

An asthma action plan will help you to know when to take your medicine and how much to take. Have your doctor help you make yours!

Ifyouarewheezing,coughing,short-of-breath,or waking up because you can’t breathe, your asthma might not be well-controlled!

green zoneprevent!

you’re doing well!

before exercise:5 minutes before exercise

take your usual maintenance medicines!

x / day

x / day

x / day

x / day

nocoughorwheeze

early warning signs of asthma trouble (yellow zone):I sometimes wheeze

I cough often

I have tightness in the chest

I have signs of allergies

I have trouble breathing

Sometimes I have trouble sleeping at night because of cough or trouble breathing

I have cold or allergy symptoms

I play quietly or sometimes don’t want to eat or drink

I am short of breath when I work or play

yellow zonebreathe!

add reliever medicines

x / day

x / day

x / day

x / day

you have mild symptoms cough, tightness in chest, gettingacold/flu

late warning signs of asthma trouble (red zone):

I cough a lot

I can’t speak in full sentences

I am too tired to walk

I can’t lie down because of trouble breathing

I frequently belly breathe

My nostrils flare

I sit or walk hunched over to help me breathe

late warning signs of asthma trouble (red zone):

red zonecall!

your asthma is getting worse

call your doctor!

x / day

x / day

x / day

x / day

phone number:

increase your medications!

call your doctor!

taking care of your asthma

chapter four

Follow your asthma action plan!

there is no cure for asthma, but there are things you can do to keep asthma under control

Take all medicines as directed by your doctor!

See your doctor when you’re supposed to!

Pay attention to your symptoms!

Avoid your asthma triggers!

See your doctor when you’re supposed to!

rescue medicationsYou should take me when you’re having trouble with your asthma.

sometimes you might feel hyper or shaky because of your rescue medicine. That’s okay! call your doctor if you’re worried.

I work fast to make it easier to breathe

we are asthma medicines and we can help you with your asthma!

there are two main types of medicine: controller and rescue

controller medications

you have to take me every day for me to work right

I will help you prevent future asthma problems by keeping your airways from swelling

I will treat the disease, not just your symptoms!

a controller medicine calendar might help you remember to take your medicine every day

taking your medicine

you should always use a spacer or valved holding chamber when you use your inhaler to help the medicine get into your lungs

always take all of your medicine and keep taking it until your doctor says to stop

an asthma diary can help you keep track of your asthma; take it with you when you see your doctor

using a metered dose inhaler

shake the inhaler hard up and down five times

1

take the mouthpiece cover off2

if the inhaler is new or has not been used for several days, spray four puffs into the air first. these are called “priming puffs”

3

with valved holding chamber/mask

using a metered dose inhaler

push the inhaler into the rubber end of the valved holding chamber so that it fits tight!

4

sit up straight or stand up. Put the mask over your face. The mask should fit over your nose and mouth!

5

sloWlY breath in and out six times through your mouth. You want to fill your lungs with medicine for this long

press down on the canister one time

6

7

using a nebulizer

taketopoffnebulizercap1

twist cap off medicine vial2

squeezemedicineintonebulizercup3

puttopbackonnebulizercup4

put the end of the tube in the bottomofthenebulizercup

5

Putthemaskontopofnebulizercup. The mask you have might look a little different than this one. refer to the package insert on how to assemble.

Put the mask on your face. The strap should fit snug!

Plug the other end of the tubing intothenebulizerandturnon.

When the treatment is done, the sound will sound less steady and will make a sputter sound.

6

7

8

caring for your nebulizer

wash your hands first!1

disassemblethenebulizercap2

gently wash mask or mouthpiece and medicine cup with warm soapy water and mild detergent3

rinse mask or mouthpiece and medicine cup with clean water4

don’twashthenebulizertubing or compressor!5

put parts back together when totally dry

shake off the extra water and put the parts on a clean towel to dry out6

7

ask a parent to help!

caring for your nebulizer

T connector for use with mouthpiece

nebulizercompressor

nebulizermedicine cup

power source

tubing

mouthpiece

mask

medicine cup with mask

air inlet filter

metered dose inhaler tracker

look on the label on your inhaler to see how many puffs are in the canister.

cross out the number for every puff given!

tools for managing your asthma

chapter five

metered dose inhaler tracker

You may still feel something when you shake your inhaler. This is not medicine. Throw this inhaler away. start a new inhaler.

200 199 198 197 196 195 194 193 192 191

150 149 148 147 146 145 144 143 142 141

100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91

50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41

190 189 188 187 186 185 184 183 182 181

140 139 138 137 136 135 134 133 132 131

90 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81

40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31

170 169 168 167 166 165 164 163 162 161

120 119 118 117 116 115 114 113 112 111

70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61

20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11

180 179 178 177 176 175 174 173 172 171

130 129 128 127 126 125 124 123 122 121

80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71

30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21

160 159 158 157 156 155 154 153 152 151

110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101

60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

controller medicine calendar

sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday

put an X over the moon when you take your evening controller medicine

put an X over the sun when you take your morning controller medicine

controller medicine calendar

controller medicines work over time to help out your lungs. You should take them every day to prevent asthma trouble, even if you feel okay!

sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday