Jasmine Williams, MPH, CHES Asthma Program Coordinator.
-
Upload
alannah-carr -
Category
Documents
-
view
219 -
download
0
Transcript of Jasmine Williams, MPH, CHES Asthma Program Coordinator.
Jasmine Williams, MPH, CHESAsthma Program Coordinator
Our MissionTo saves lives by preventing lung disease
and promoting lung health through:• Education• Advocacy • Research
What is Asthma?
Asthma……
Chronic life- long inflammatory condition that makes it hard to get air in and out of the lungs
Asthma causes three primary changes in the lungs:• Inflammation or swelling• Tightening of the muscles around the airways• Excess mucous production
Normal Airway vs. Asthmatic Airway
CAACP, 2004
What Causes Asthma??
WE DON’T REALLY KNOW!!!
Complex Interaction between:• Genetics Factors- children are more likely to develop
asthma if their parents have it• Environmental Factors – exposure to some viral
infections as infants when the immune system is not fully developed may cause asthma
Asthma Remains a Serious Health Risk in the US
12.3 million people have an asthma attack
2 million people visit an emergency room due to
asthma
500,000 people are admitted to the hospital due to
asthma
11 people die from
asthma
Every day in America, approximately…
American Lung Association. Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, Research & Program Services Division. Trends in Asthma Morbidity & Mortality. November 2007. www.lungusa.org. Accessed 2/25/08.
• Childhood asthma accounts for 12.8 million days missed from school annually • The number-one chronic
condition causing children to be absent from school and the third highest ranked cause of pediatric hospitalizations in the United States
• On average, a child with asthma will miss one full week of school each year
Burden of Asthma in MS• 1 in every 14 adults have asthma
• More women than men (8% v. 5%)
• 1 in every 10 children have asthma• More African American children than Caucasian children
(13% v. 8%)• More boys than girls (12% v. 8%)
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2007
are likely to have asthma.*
On average, 3 children in a classroom of 30
*Epidemiology and Statistics Unit. Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality. NYC: ALA, July 2006.
Provide a Safe Environment
• By learning early warning signs and symptoms of an asthma episodes
• By learning asthma triggers and ways to reduce exposure
• By encouraging students to take asthma medications regularly or as prescribed by a healthcare professional
• By learning to act in the event of an asthma emergency
Asthma Signs & Symptoms
Early Warning Signs• Sudden mood changes and/or irritability• Trouble completing sentences without gasping for
breath• Itchy chin or neck• Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing• Watery, itchy eyes• Stomach ache/poor appetite • Dark circles under the eyes
Asthma SymptomsWhat to Listen for…
• Coughing or a persistent cough• Frequent clearing of the throat
• Irregular breathing
• Noisy, difficult breathing
• Wheezing during exhaling
Asthma SymptomsWhat to Look for…
• Anxious or scared look
• Unusual facial paleness
• Flared nostrils
• Pursed-lip breathing
• Fast breathing/shortness of breath
• Hunched-over body position
Perspiring
Vomiting due to hyperventilation
Restlessness during sleep
Fatigue that is not related to activity
Asthma Triggers
Asthma TriggersAllergens• Substances that
cause allergic reactions
• Exposure increases airway inflammation and asthma symptoms
Irritants• Substances
that irritate the lungs • Exposure increases
asthma symptoms or limits airflow
Animal allergens
Dust mites
Cockroach allergens
Indoor fungi
Tobacco smoke
Common Asthma Triggers
All warm-blooded animals produce flakes of skin (dander), feces, urine and dried saliva that can cause allergic reactions.
• Best option - Keep animals out of classroom• Wash hands after contact with the pet• Isolate the pet
Animal Allergens
Asthma Triggers: Allergens
• Require humidity and human (skin) dander to survive
• High levels are found in bedding, pillows, mattress, upholstered furniture, carpets, clothes and soft toys
Dust Mites
Asthma Triggers: Allergens
Asthma Triggers: PollenPollens can cause the following symptoms: itchy watery eyes, runny nose,
itchy throat, hives, fatigue, and irritability.
Asthma triggers found outdoors are harder to control.
Try:• Watching pollen levels. Pollen levels vary by
seasons. Find out which seasons affect students the most.
• Keep windows closed on high pollen-days as well as avoid outside activity.
• Have parents talk with their child’s doctor about medications that can help reduce symptoms.
Asthma Triggers: Mold
Mold or Fungus is found nearly everywhere in the environment. It poses serious health risk to students and staff, especially those with asthma.
Asthma Triggers: CockroachTiny pieces of dead roaches and roach droppings end up in dust and the air we breathe.
Its important to make sure classrooms and other school spaces are free of pest because exposure to such pest can lead to:
• Stuffy nose• Coughing• Wheezing• A feeling of chest tightness• Shortness of breathe
Asthma Triggers: Food Allergies
Asthma Triggers: Irritants
Gases & SmokeKerosene Heaters
Wood StovesFireplaces
VOCsHairspray
Cooking spray Furniture polish
Perfumes Paint
Tobacco smoke
Asthma Triggers: SmokeExposure to any type of smoke – cigarette, cigar and secondhand smoke, wood, coal, leaf burning, industrial waste, chemistry labs and or kitchen smoke can all irritate the lungs.
Reduce exposure by:• Preventing smoking on or around school
campus • Encouraging and helping parents,
faculty, and staff to quit smoking
Asthma Triggers: Fumes
Asthma Triggers: Irritants
• Air pollution
• Chemicals and strong smells
Other Asthma Triggers
• Colds, flu, sinus problems• Exercise• Bursts of emotion• Some medicines in sensitive individuals• Anxiety• Obesity
Metered-Dose
Inhaler (MDI)
Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI)
Spacer/Holding
Chamber
Spacer/Holding
Chamber and Face
Mask
Nebulizer
Inhaled Medication Delivery Devices
Long-Term Control Medicines • Also called “controllers”
• Prevent lung inflammation, but will not help during an asthma attack
• Must be taken for several days before positive effects are noted
Quick-Relief Medicines
• Also called “rescue or relievers”
• Relax the muscles around the airways and decrease the narrowing of the airways
• Provide immediate relief lasting several hours
• Used to prevent and treat Exercise Induced Asthma
Medications to Treat Asthma:Nebulizer
• Machine produces a mist of the medication
• Used for small children or for severe asthma episodes
• No evidence that it is more effective than an inhaler used with a spacer
Take Action
Asthma Action Plan
Green zone - when symptoms are controlled
Yellow zone – when symptoms are present
Red zone – when symptoms do not go away or get worse
Emergency Response during Asthma Episode
If student has excessive coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness:
• Help to an upright position; speak calmly and reassuringly• Follow individualized action/emergency plan for use of quick-relief inhaler• If quick-relief inhaler or action/emergency plan not available, send to health
office accompanied by peer or with staff member• Get emergency help from school nurse or designated emergency staff if any
of the following: Inhaler not helping Breathing hard & fast Nostrils open wide Can’t walk or talk well
Questions
We will breathe easier when the air in everyAmerican community is clean and healthy.
We will breathe easier when people are free from the addictivegrip of cigarettes and the debilitating effects of lung disease.
We will breathe easier when the air in our public spaces andworkplaces is clear of secondhand smoke.
We will breathe easier when children no longerbattle airborne poisons or fear an asthma attack.
Until then, we are fighting for air.
For more information, contact:
American Lung Association in Mississippi
Jasmine Williams, MPH, CHES
Asthma Program Coordinator
601.206.5810