ASTHM

INDAH
YUSMAINI
YOPI Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!
 OVERVIEW
Asthma What is it?
Asthma Prevalence
Diagnosis
Causes
Symptoms of asthma
What substances trigger asthma?
Asthma Triggers: Irritants
Additional Triggers
Can asthma be cured?
Quick-Relief Inhaler Use
Cold Weather
Recommended Activities
Poorly controlled asthma leads to

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

Asthma, What is It?
Airways become
smaller or
narrower, due
to:
Underlying
inflammation or
swelling
Increased mucus
production
Contraction of
muscles around the
airways, or
bronchospasm Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!
Asthma Prevalence

In the United States:

More females than males have asthma.
Blacks and American Indian/Alaska
natives have higher percentages of
asthma than Whites, Hispanics, and
Asians.
Source: National Health Interview Survey; National Center for Health Statistics

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

Diagnosis

Based on:
Medical history
Physical examination
Test results

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

CAUSES

Parents with asthma

Childhood respiratory infections
Exposure to allergens or
infections while the immune
system is developing.

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

 Symptoms Of Asthma

Coughing
Wheezing, a whistling sound
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Sneezing & runny nose
Itchy and inflamed eyes

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

What substances trigger
asthma?
Type of Examples
Substance
Air pollutants, Diesel exhaust; tobacco
including dusts, smoke; mineral, rock,
coal, & wood dusts;
smoke, mists & fumes
gases; fumes & vapors
from aerosol agents,
chemicals, cleaning
materials, solvents,
paints, welding & from
heating & cooling metals
quickly
Pollens, mites & molds Trees, flowers, weeds,
hay, plants

Animal dander Birds, cats, dogs

Medications Aspirin, anti-

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!
inflammatory drugs
Asthma Triggers: Irritants

Irritants:
Environmental tobacco
smoke or second hand
smoke

Air pollution

Chemicals and strong

smells

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

 Additional Triggers
Weather changes

Upper respiratory
infections

Cold air

Strong emotions

Exercise

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

 Can asthma be cured?
Asthma can be controlled (but
not cured) by:
Avoiding triggers or reducing
exposure to triggers
Using medication to control
symptoms

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

 Quick-Relief Inhaler Use

Use 10-15 minutes

before warm-up as a
pre-treatment

Take 1 puff, hold

breath 10 seconds,
exhale

Wait 1-2 minutes and

repeat as noted on the
students asthma
action plan
Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!
Cold Weather
When it is cold outside,
ask students with
asthma to:
Warm up longer

Wear masks or
scarves to warm air

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

Recommended Activities
Sports or activities that
call for short bursts of
activity such as:
Baseball
Downhill skiing
Football
Golf
Some track and field events
Swimming
Tennis
Volleyball
Wrestling

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

 Poorly controlled asthma
leads to:
Increased visits to
Doctor, Urgent
Care Clinic or
Hospital ER
Hospitalizations
Limitations in daily
activities
Lost work days
Lower quality of life
Death

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

 Remember to

Help peers to be
supportive

Maintain open
communication with
parents/guardians,
staff, school nurse
and other healthcare
professionals

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asth
ma/S00021/DSECTION=treatments-
and-drugs.
super1@pitt.edu
www.aafa.org

Ready? Set? Go with Asthma!