Asthma

A severe attack can be prevented if you understand the basic principles of asthma and how to treat an attack when it occurs.
  1. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. It causes narrowing and swelling of the airways, or bronchi. People with asthma have airways that are overly reactive. The airways may also be swollen, or inflamed even without symptoms.
  2. An acute episode of asthma - an asthma attack - can occur when these overly active airways are exposed to certain substances. Changes in the environment or changes in health may also trigger episodes.
  3. Allergens that cause asthma attacks include pollen, animal dander, house dust or mold, cold viruses, food additives containing sulfites, aerosol chemicals, cigarette smoke, weather changes, emotional stress, and physical activity.
  4. What happens during as asthma episode? When airways become irritated, chemicals are released from nearby cells, causing the airways to react. 1) The muscles surrounding the airways tighten, narrowing the airways. 2) The lining of the airways becomes inflamed and swollen, this makes them even more narrow. 3) The mucus glands along the airways produce more mucus, this can cause blockage of the airways. 4) Air movement is impaired, this causes wheezing and difficulty breathing.
  5. Symptoms - During an asthma episode, there may be one or more of these symptoms:
    • Wheezing, a whistling sound that occurs when air passes through the narrowed airways.
    • Coughing, as the lungs try to clear out the extra mucus that is produced.
    • Difficulty in breathing and chest tightness, due to narrow and congested airways.
  6. Treatment: At first sign of any of the above symptoms an asthmatic must be treated. 1) Have student stop any physical activity and sit in an upright position. 2) Encourage the student to slow down their breathing. 3) Administer prescribed inhaler or nebulizer treatment; refer to child's asthma action plan for further treatment instructions. 4) Observe child for at least 15 minutes. 5) If no improvement, administer next medication in child's action plan or call 911 (per RN discretion).


Remember asthma episodes can be preventable. Students are less likely to have a severe asthma episode if they understand their asthma, & follow treatment instructions carefully.

For more information regarding asthma you may click on the following:
www.kidshealth.org/
www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/treatmnt/guide/mgmtpre/figure1.htm
Easy for kids to understand: www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/asthma_prt.htm

Relevant Forms
Asthma Action Plan
Asthma Action Plan Spanish
Prescription Medication Authorization Form
Self-Carry/Self-Administration Form




Copyright 2007 District 112 Health Services