What is asthma?
- Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects 22 million people in the USA, 6 million of whom are children.
- With asthma, the airways are inflamed and hypersensitive to allergens and irritants.
- During an asthma attack, airway muscles tighten, the tissue becomes inflamed, and mucous is produced; this all results in narrow airways.
- Asthma attacks may be treatable with quick-relief inhalers, depending on the severity of the attack.
Who is at greatest risk of asthma?
- Children who are exposed to cigarette smoke, viral infections, and certain allergens early in life.
- African Americans are more likely to be hospitalized and to die from an asthma attack, versus Caucasians.
- Those with a family history of asthma or allergies.
- Children living in an environment with many allergens and irritants.
What causes asthma attacks? Allergens
- Dust mites
- Animal dander
- Cockroaches
- Pollen
- Mold
Irritants
- Cigarette smoke, air pollution
- Strong odors
- Aerosols
- Scented products
- Cold air
- Changes in weather
- Strong emotional responses
- Stress
Exercise
Vacuum cleaning
Viral infections
Medicine: aspirin and beta-blockers
Sulfites
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
What are the sign/symptoms of an asthma attack?
Many times, an asthma attack comes on suddenly, therefore, known triggers should be avoided.
- Coughing or wheezing
- Tightness of the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Faster or noisy breathing
What are some common treatments for asthma?
- Assessment and Monitoring
- Education
- Control of Environmental Factors
- Pharmacologic Therapy
How do I prevent and asthma attack?
- Follow your action plan to manage your asthma
- Take your medications as prescribed, even if no symptoms are present
- Avoid known allergens and irritants that trigger asthma attacks.
- Lower stress levels and depression
- Follow proper asthma management
What are some of the things that I can do to help prevent an asthma attack?
- Avoid the use of cleaning products that have strong or caustic odors.
- Use hypoallergenic pillows, with a dust mite proof cover.
- Wash bed linens weekly, in hot water.
- Use an impermeable mattress cover.
- Remove all dust buildup and maintain a strict dust free environment.
- Have hard surface flooring instead of carpet.
- Regularly mop your floors, wipe window ledges and wash all surfaces with water and detergent.
- Use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter, 1-2 times each week.
- Do not use perfumes, colognes, or room fresheners.
- Avoid cooking foods with strong odors when the house cannot be aired out.
- Check your child’s school to see if any triggers are present in their classrooms.
- Do not house any pets or allow your animals to co
Links for Other Educational Materials on Asthma: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/asthma/htm/lesson.htm
Tutorial on asthma for patients
www.pediatricasthmainfo.com : Site supported by AstraZeneca with information on a multitude of topics.
www.aaaai.org/patients/gallery/Default.asp?topic=childhoodasthma American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology site with patient information on Asthma.
https://www.aaaai.org/patients/gallery/ Patients and Consumers Center: Diseases 101. Some materials are also in Spanish.
https://www.asthmamoms.com/movies/video.htm Videos on asthma in English and Spanish.
https://www.asthmaeducationcenter.net/ Asthma Education Center- has a variety of downloads and videos on asthma.
:https://www.pediatricasthmainfo.com Site supported by AstraZeneca with information on a multitude of topics.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/asthma/index.aspx Everyday Health information on Asthma. Information provided as only educational information.
https://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=16 Large list of articles on different aspects of Asthma.
https://www.asthma-education.com/content/ The Children’s Asthma Education Centre. The Children’s Asthma Education Centre (CAEC) is a program of the Department of Pediatrics and Child Heath at the Children’s Hospital of Winnipeg.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/asthma/what-is-asthma.php Medical News Today- Respiratory/Asthma-both articles and videos available.
https://www.wvasthma.org/ West Virginia Asthma Education and Prevention Program.
Asthma Symptoms-Find Out About Treating Asthma & How To Treat the Symptoms.
Info on asthma.com
Get Facts About Asthma and Triggers https://www.asmanex.com//
Learn About Asthma Your Asthma www.advair.com/?a=160
Asthma Treatments for Reversible Obstructive Airway Disease and Asthma. www.proventilhfa.com/
Info on Pediatric Asthma www.pulmicortrespules.com
Discover what triggers asthma and how an HFA inhaler can help. www.Switch2HFA.com
National Jewish Medical and Research Center www.njc.org
