Health Update (revised 5/10/13)

Every year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be National Asthma Awareness Month.  May is peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers and a perfect time to educate parents and students who suffer from one of these conditions.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to tighten and swell. It is common among children and teens.

 What is an asthma attack?

An asthma attack happens when your child has asthma and their lungs aren’t getting enough air to breathe. Your child may cough or wheeze during an attack.

 What causes an asthma attack?

Things that cause asthma attacks are called triggers. Triggers are everywhere. Your child’s home or school can be full of triggers such as those listed below: Here are a few potential triggers:

• Secondhand smoke
• Dust mites
• Cockroaches and pests
• Chemical irritants
• Outdoor air pollution
• Pets
• Molds
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Wood smoke

For other kids, running and playing may bring on an asthma attack.

Be sure to work with the doctor to identify your child’s asthma triggers.

 Be aware of your child’s warning signs

Often your child may show warning signs. Warning signs are clues that your child’s asthma may be getting worse.  A very young child may not be able to tell you how he or she feels. So you may have to watch a younger child more closely to find out if something is wrong.

 How will I know if asthma is getting worse?

Learn your child’s warning signs and catch an attack before it gets worse. While warning signs differ from child to child, parents report some common signs.

 Warning signs you notice:

Coughed at night

Had a cold or the flu

Had a fever

Had a stuffy or runny nose

Had a tickle in the throat

Sneezed and had watery eyes

 How he or she looked or seemed to feel:

Acted very restless

Face was pale

Had dark circles under the eyes

Had tightness in the chest

Seemed to feel weak or tired

Seemed to have a headache

There are times when you need to take your child to the hospital or urgent care right away. Ask your child’s doctor what emergency signs to look for to help you know when your child is having a medical emergency with asthma.

Some parents know their child is having a medical emergency with asthma if he or she:

•Is breathing in a different way: faster, or slower, or more shallow than usual.

•Is coughing or wheezing and can’t stop.

•Has bluish fingernails or lips.

 Make an asthma action plan

The action plan looks at what triggers or brings on your child’s asthma. The plan also includes your child’s daily medicine needs. And the plan lists rescue medicines for quick-relief during an attack or when asthma signs start.  Work with your child’s doctor and come up with a written action plan for managing your child’s asthma.

 •Talk it over with people in your child’s life. In case of an asthma attack they will know what to do.

 While asthma action plans may differ from doctor to doctor, most plans will address two areas:  a daily program and a rescue program. Follow the action plan. It can help lower the number of asthma attacks. Talk to your child’s doctor if you need to make changes in the plan.

 The action plan’s daily program may list:

•Your child’s asthma triggers

•Daily medicines and how to use them

•Peak flow meter chart

 The action plan’s rescue program may list:

•Your child’s warning signs

•Your child’s peak flow meter readings

•Names of the rescue medicines used to treat asthma as an asthma attack gets worse

•Steps to take if your child has an asthma attack and when to call the doctor

•Emergency numbers and when to take your child to the emergency room