Updated 12/2006Updated 12/2006

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Asthma 101Asthma 101

• What is asthma?What is asthma?– Chronic disease of the lungsChronic disease of the lungs

– Airway obstructionAirway obstruction

– Airway inflammationAirway inflammation – Triggered by a reaction to stimuliTriggered by a reaction to stimuli

• Common SymptomsCommon Symptoms– Shortness of breathShortness of breath

– CoughingCoughing

– WheezingWheezing

– Chest pain or tightnessChest pain or tightness

Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA)Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA)

What is EIA?What is EIA?• Broncho-spastic event during or after physical Broncho-spastic event during or after physical

activityactivity• CausesCauses

– Loss of heat and/or water from the lungs during exerciseLoss of heat and/or water from the lungs during exercise

– Hyperventilation of air that is cooler and dryer than that of Hyperventilation of air that is cooler and dryer than that of the respiratory treethe respiratory tree

• Exercise maybe only trigger for some with asthmaExercise maybe only trigger for some with asthma

Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA)Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA)

Prevention of EIAPrevention of EIA

• Take medicines as prescribed by your Take medicines as prescribed by your healthcare providerhealthcare provider

• Warm-up before and cool down after exerciseWarm-up before and cool down after exercise

• Limit outdoor exercise on Ozone Action Days, Limit outdoor exercise on Ozone Action Days, high pollen or mold count dayshigh pollen or mold count days

• Wear a scarf over your nose and mouth when Wear a scarf over your nose and mouth when exercising in the coldexercising in the cold

Cost of AsthmaCost of Asthma

• Asthma costs $238,001,000 annually in IndianaAsthma costs $238,001,000 annually in Indiana11

– Direct = $135, 070,000Direct = $135, 070,000

– Indirect = $102,931,000Indirect = $102,931,000

• Children miss 14.7 million school days per year in the USChildren miss 14.7 million school days per year in the US2,32,3

• Adults miss 11.8 million days of work per year in the USAdults miss 11.8 million days of work per year in the US33

1Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 1998; 2Environmental Protection Agency, 2006; and 3Kaiser Permanente, 2005

Why should I learn about asthma?Why should I learn about asthma?

• Most common chronic disorder in childrenMost common chronic disorder in children11

• Students with asthma miss 7 - 8 more school days per year Students with asthma miss 7 - 8 more school days per year than their healthy peersthan their healthy peers22

• 24% of children and 15% of adults with asthma cannot 24% of children and 15% of adults with asthma cannot perform daily activitiesperform daily activities33

• You can…You can… Take CONTROL of asthma!Take CONTROL of asthma!

1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006;

2American Academy of Pediatrics, 2006; and 3Kaiser Permanente, 2005

Asthma ManagementAsthma Management

Take CONTROL of asthma!Take CONTROL of asthma!

CCare for yourselfare for yourselfOOwn and use an asthma action planwn and use an asthma action planNNote peak flow numbersote peak flow numbersTTake medicine(s)ake medicine(s)RReduce exposure to triggerseduce exposure to triggersOOpen airwayspen airwaysLLive healthyive healthy

CCare for Yourselfare for Yourself

• Know your body’s reactionsKnow your body’s reactions

• Learn to recognize your warning signsLearn to recognize your warning signs

• Take your daily controller medicine(s)Take your daily controller medicine(s)

• Know laws and regulations that may protect Know laws and regulations that may protect youyou

• Educate those with whom you interactEducate those with whom you interact

CCare for yourselfare for yourselfLaws/RegulationsLaws/Regulations

• Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990• Section 504, Rehabilitation Act, 1973Section 504, Rehabilitation Act, 1973• Pro-Children Act, 1994Pro-Children Act, 1994

CCare for yourselfare for yourselfLaws/RegulationsLaws/Regulations

• IDEA, 2004IDEA, 2004

• IC 20-33-8-13IC 20-33-8-13Possession and Self-administration of Medication PermittedPossession and Self-administration of Medication Permitted

• FERPA, 2002FERPA, 2002

OOwn and Use wn and Use an Asthma an Asthma Action PlanAction Plan

• Develop an asthma Develop an asthma action plan with action plan with your provider your provider

• Keep a copy for Keep a copy for yourself and give a yourself and give a copy to your school copy to your school or childcare settingor childcare setting

NNote Peak Flow Numbersote Peak Flow Numbers• Keeping a peak flow Keeping a peak flow

diary will help you diary will help you predict and prevent predict and prevent asthma attacksasthma attacks

• Record peak flow Record peak flow numbers daily, numbers daily, every morning every morning before taking before taking control medicine(s)control medicine(s)

• Watch for trends in Watch for trends in symptomssymptoms

TTake Medicine(s)ake Medicine(s)

• Controller medicine(s)Controller medicine(s)– Long-termLong-term– DailyDaily

• Rescue inhalerRescue inhaler– Short-acting inhaled beta2-agonistsShort-acting inhaled beta2-agonists– Used for quick reliefUsed for quick relief

• Get medicine filledGet medicine filled• Use medicine as recommended by your Use medicine as recommended by your

healthcare providerhealthcare provider

RReduce Exposure to Triggerseduce Exposure to Triggers

Exercise

Weather

Odors

Airpollution Tobacco

smoke

Outdoormold &pollen

Indoormold

Petdander

Pests

Dustmites

Asthmaattack

RReduce Exposure to Triggerseduce Exposure to TriggersDust MitesDust Mites

• Vacuum weeklyVacuum weekly

• Wipe wood, leather or vinyl furniture weekly Wipe wood, leather or vinyl furniture weekly with a damp, soapy clothwith a damp, soapy cloth

• Put dust-proof covers on bed mattress, box Put dust-proof covers on bed mattress, box spring and pillowsspring and pillows

• Wash bedding and pillows in hot water weeklyWash bedding and pillows in hot water weekly

• Wash toys in hot water weeklyWash toys in hot water weekly

RReduce Exposure to Triggerseduce Exposure to Triggers PestsPests

• Put food in sealed containersPut food in sealed containers

• Do not leave dirty dishes out Do not leave dirty dishes out

• Pick-up food crumbs and clean liquid spills Pick-up food crumbs and clean liquid spills immediatelyimmediately

• Sweep and mop the kitchen oftenSweep and mop the kitchen often

• Take out the trash dailyTake out the trash daily

• Seal cracks around doors, windows and Seal cracks around doors, windows and foundationfoundation

RReduce Exposure to Triggerseduce Exposure to TriggersPet DanderPet Dander

• No pets in sleeping areasNo pets in sleeping areas

• Vacuum and clean areas where pets live Vacuum and clean areas where pets live weeklyweekly

• Consider finding another good home for the Consider finding another good home for the pet or keeping the pet outdoorspet or keeping the pet outdoors

RReduce Exposure to Triggerseduce Exposure to Triggers Indoor MoldIndoor Mold

• Wipe hard surfaces with a damp, soapy cloth weeklyWipe hard surfaces with a damp, soapy cloth weekly• Repair leaks Repair leaks • Don’t over water plants Don’t over water plants • Replace absorbent materials, like carpet and ceiling Replace absorbent materials, like carpet and ceiling

tiles, that have been wet for more than 24 to 48 hourstiles, that have been wet for more than 24 to 48 hours• Vent clothing dryers, showers, and exhaust fans Vent clothing dryers, showers, and exhaust fans

outdoorsoutdoors• Use exhaust fansUse exhaust fans

RReduce Exposure to Triggerseduce Exposure to Triggers Outdoor Pollen and MoldOutdoor Pollen and Mold

• Limit outdoor activities and keep windows closed Limit outdoor activities and keep windows closed when pollen and/or mold counts are highwhen pollen and/or mold counts are high– American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology,

www.aaaai.org/nabwww.aaaai.org/nab• Use air conditionersUse air conditioners• Avoid using wood mulchAvoid using wood mulch• Avoid cutting grass if allergic to grass pollen or moldAvoid cutting grass if allergic to grass pollen or mold

– If you must cut grass use a HEPA filter face mask If you must cut grass use a HEPA filter face mask respirator respirator

• Do not dry clothing outside if you are allergic to Do not dry clothing outside if you are allergic to pollen or moldpollen or mold

RReduce Exposure to Triggerseduce Exposure to Triggers Tobacco SmokeTobacco Smoke

• Seek help to stop smokingSeek help to stop smoking– Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation,

www.in.gov/itpc/community.aspwww.in.gov/itpc/community.asp– American Lung Association, Freedom from Smoking, American Lung Association, Freedom from Smoking,

317-819-1181317-819-1181

• Do not smoke or let other people smoke inside your Do not smoke or let other people smoke inside your home or carhome or car

• Do not allow smoking in places where a child spends Do not allow smoking in places where a child spends time (e.g. relative’s home, car, babysitter, etc)time (e.g. relative’s home, car, babysitter, etc)

• If you must smoke, smoke outside, and wear a If you must smoke, smoke outside, and wear a “smoking jacket”“smoking jacket”

RReduce Exposure to Triggerseduce Exposure to TriggersAir PollutionAir Pollution

• Limit outdoor activities when pollution levels Limit outdoor activities when pollution levels are highare high

• Ozone Action DaysOzone Action Days– Local newspaperLocal newspaper– Check SmogWatch, www.smogwatch.IN.govCheck SmogWatch, www.smogwatch.IN.gov– Sign up for automatic notification at the Sign up for automatic notification at the

SmogWatch Web site, or call 1-800-631-2871SmogWatch Web site, or call 1-800-631-2871

RReduce Exposure to Triggerseduce Exposure to TriggersOdorsOdors

• Choose products with the lowest VOC content Choose products with the lowest VOC content availableavailable

• Avoid products with strong odorsAvoid products with strong odors• Store products with strong odors away from living Store products with strong odors away from living

and play areasand play areas• Avoid using spray and aerosol productsAvoid using spray and aerosol products• Limit air freshener and candle useLimit air freshener and candle use• Use the exhaust fan when using products that release Use the exhaust fan when using products that release

strong odorsstrong odors• Do not perform repairs/renovations that may release Do not perform repairs/renovations that may release

strong odors or dust while people are presentstrong odors or dust while people are present

RReduce Exposure to Triggerseduce Exposure to TriggersWeatherWeather

• Try to breathe through your noseTry to breathe through your nose

• Limit physical activity in cold weatherLimit physical activity in cold weather

• Cover your mouth with a scarf or cold-air Cover your mouth with a scarf or cold-air mask in cold weathermask in cold weather

• Limit outdoor exercise on Ozone Action Days, Limit outdoor exercise on Ozone Action Days, high pollen or mold count dayshigh pollen or mold count days

RReduce Exposure to Triggerseduce Exposure to TriggersExerciseExercise

• Consult with a doctor to design an exercise Consult with a doctor to design an exercise and asthma management programand asthma management program

• Warm-up and cool-down before and after Warm-up and cool-down before and after exerciseexercise

• Limit outdoor exercise on high pollen, mold or Limit outdoor exercise on high pollen, mold or pollution counts dayspollution counts days

• Wear a scarf over your nose and mouth when Wear a scarf over your nose and mouth when exercising in the coldexercising in the cold

OOpen Airwayspen Airways

• Take fast acting reliever medicine (rescue Take fast acting reliever medicine (rescue inhaler)inhaler)– When having an asthma attackWhen having an asthma attack– Will open airwaysWill open airways

LLive Healthyive Healthy

• Do activities that promote “good” healthDo activities that promote “good” health

• Change your environmentChange your environment

• Encourage schools and early care settings to Encourage schools and early care settings to implement asthma prevention activitiesimplement asthma prevention activities

LLive Healthyive Healthy

• SchoolsSchools– www.doe.state.in.us/sservices/pdf/www.doe.state.in.us/sservices/pdf/

sn_asthma_awareness_month.pdfsn_asthma_awareness_month.pdf– www.schoolasthmaallergy.com/html/toolkit/www.schoolasthmaallergy.com/html/toolkit/

library/phy_asth.pdflibrary/phy_asth.pdf– www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/toolkit.htmlwww.epa.gov/iaq/schools/toolkit.html

• Early care settingsEarly care settings– www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/

chc_chk.htmchc_chk.htm

Asthma is a chronic Asthma is a chronic lung disease.lung disease.

Do children out grow asthma?Do children out grow asthma?

Can I catch Can I catch asthma?asthma?

No. You cannot get No. You cannot get asthma from anyone.asthma from anyone.

Yes. You can take Yes. You can take CONTROL of CONTROL of

asthma!asthma!

Can I control asthma?Can I control asthma?

Asthma is in your lungs.Asthma is in your lungs.

Is asthma Is asthma psychological?psychological?

Asthma is a Asthma is a chronic lung chronic lung

disease that never disease that never goes away. goes away.

Symptoms may Symptoms may get less as the get less as the person ages.person ages.

What is asthma?What is asthma?

Resources for AsthmaResources for Asthma

• American Lung Association of Indiana,American Lung Association of Indiana,www.lungin.org or 1-800-LUNGUSAwww.lungin.org or 1-800-LUNGUSA

• Indiana Chronic Disease Management Program, Indiana Chronic Disease Management Program, www.indianacdmprogram.comwww.indianacdmprogram.com

• Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, SmogWatch, www.in.gov/apps/idem/smogSmogWatch, www.in.gov/apps/idem/smog

• Indiana Family Helpline, 1-800-433-0746Indiana Family Helpline, 1-800-433-0746• Indiana State Department of Health Asthma Program, Indiana State Department of Health Asthma Program,

Breatheasyville, Breatheasyville, www.statehealth.IN.gov/programs/asthma/ www.statehealth.IN.gov/programs/asthma/ breatheasyville/index.htmlbreatheasyville/index.html

Take CONTROL of asthma!Take CONTROL of asthma!

Thank YouThank You

For more information, contact:For more information, contact:Indiana State Department of HealthIndiana State Department of HealthChronic Disease/AsthmaChronic Disease/Asthma2 North Meridian Street, 6B2 North Meridian Street, 6BIndianapolis, IN 46204Indianapolis, IN 46204317-233-1325317-233-1325www.statehealth.IN.gov/programs/asthmawww.statehealth.IN.gov/programs/asthma

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