Keys to Breathing Easy

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1 Keys to Breathing Easy Ways to Manage Your Asthma EHAP Environmental Health Action Project

2 SUPPORTED IN PART BY: Project H17 MC from Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Childrens Program, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services Project X from Urban Environmental Initiatives Program, Region 1 New England, US Environmental Protection Agency 2002 Environmental Health Action Project. All rights reserved. Keys To Breathing Easy is a publication of the Environmental Health Action Project (EHAP). No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written consent of EHAP. EHAP is a partnership of the Providence Community Health Centers (PCHC), Brown University Swearer Center for Public Service, and Providence Community HealthCorps. EDITING: Chris Camillo & Kris Hermanns DESIGN: Ryan Andrew Scro ILLUSTRATION: Matt Castigliego SPECIAL THANKS TO: The families of PCHC for their review and insight Stanley Block, MD Claudia DeCesare Judy Morris, RN Will Newman Kathy Shay Jeremy Smith Lizette Muriel Ana Mendoza-Diaz Adolf Rahmer Joya Lonsdale EH0302-E 6/02 20

3 INTRODUCTION Keys to Managing Your Asthma: Know your asthma Know your medications Know your triggers Communicate

4 You can manage asthma. Asthma should not stop you from doing the things you want to do. INTRODUCTION 4

5 You need a plan. Asthma affects each family in different ways. Each family needs their own, special plan to manage asthma. INTRODUCTION 5

6 How do you want to manage asthma? Families need to make decisions about which actions are part of their special asthma plan. INTRODUCTION 6

7 You are not alone! Asthma affects individuals, families, neighborhoods, and cities. Over 25 million adults and children in the United States have asthma. The number of people with asthma is increasing in the U.S. and around the world. INTRODUCTION 7

8 Everyone is affected by their environment. Your environment is the indoor and outdoor spaces and places where you spend time. The environment affects everyone in good and bad ways. This is especially true for people with asthma. INTRODUCTION 8

9 LESSON ONE: Know your asthma

10 Lungs and airways: When you breathe, air goes into your mouth and nose, down your windpipe, and into the small airways of your lungs. LESSON ONE: Know your asthma 10

11 Asthma lungs and airways: normal airway inflamed airway normal airway constricted airway Asthma affects airways by causing: 1) inflammation and mucus 2) constriction LESSON ONE: Know your asthma 11

12 Asthma airways are twitchy. The airways of people with asthma are more sensitive to the things around them than are the airways of people who do not have asthma. LESSON ONE: Know your asthma 12

13 Everyone s asthma is different. Doctors describe asthma as stairs with 6 levels. People with level 6 asthma have symptoms regularly. Learn your asthma level. Work with your doctor to decrease your level. It is also important to know how well controlled your asthma is. You can talk to your doctor about this at your child s next visit. LESSON ONE: Know your asthma 13

14 What are your asthma symptoms? coughing wheezing itching tired or wired chest tightness or shortness of breath Symptoms are clues that your body gives you about your asthma. They let you know: 1) that you are reacting to something in your environment 2) how badly inflamed and constricted your airways are LESSON ONE: Know your asthma 14

15 Pay attention to the road ahead. Listen to your body. Act when you first notice symptoms or your asthma may get worse. In most cases, asthma attacks do not happen by surprise. LESSON ONE: Know your asthma 15

16 What should you do? What do you do when you feel the first symptoms of asthma? LESSON ONE: Know your asthma 16

17 Take action. 1) Take your quick-relief medication. 2) Tell someone that you are having trouble with asthma. 3) Always use your spacer LESSON ONE: Know your asthma 17

18 Take action. Stay calm and closely watch your symptoms. Seek medical help at once if you do not get better or your asthma gets worse. Ask your doctor how to contact her when her office is closed. LESSON ONE: Know your asthma 18

19 LESSON TWO: Know your medications

Controller and quick-relief medications: + = controller

medication constricted airway normal airway There are 2

20 Controller and quick-relief medications: + = controller medication inflamed airway normal airway + = quick-relief medication constricted airway normal airway There are 2 types of asthma medications: 1) Controller medications relieve airway inflammation. 2) Quick-relief medications relieve airway constriction. LESSON TWO: Know your medications 20

21 What questions do you have about your medications? There are many medications to help people with asthma. They may look alike but need to be used in different ways. This can be confusing. LESSON TWO: Know your medications 21

22 What have you heard? People try to manage asthma in many different ways. Some people take medications. Some people use family remedies. Some people use both. What do you do? LESSON TWO: Know your medications 22

23 LESSON THREE: Know your triggers

24 The fire of asthma: Avoid triggers and take medications to keep your fire under control. Always take your daily contol medication. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 24

causing: 1) airway inflammation and mucus 2) airway constriction

25 Asthma triggers: normal airway inflamed airway normal airway constricted airway Triggers are things that make asthma worse by causing: 1) airway inflammation and mucus 2) airway constriction Each person has different asthma triggers. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 25

26 You need a plan. Each person needs their own special plan to control triggers. There are 5 steps to completing your trigger control plan: 1) Learn about asthma and your asthma triggers. 2) Know your asthma triggers. 3) Know where you are exposed to triggers. 4) Take action and control triggers. 5) Follow your asthma action plan. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 26

27 What are your asthma triggers? Step 2: Know your asthma triggers. allergy skin testing There are 3 ways to identify your triggers: 1) past experience 2) allergy skin testing 3) blood testing LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 27

Asthma triggers: allergens Step 1: Learn about

dust mites molds cats cockroaches food rats/mice

28 Asthma triggers: allergens Step 1: Learn about asthma and your asthma triggers. dust mites molds cats cockroaches food rats/mice dogs pollen Exposure to allergens can make your asthma worse. Allergens are things in your environment that you are allergic to. Allergens can trigger an asthma attack or allergy symptoms. Each person s allergies are different. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 28

29 Asthma triggers: irritants Step 1: Learn about asthma and your asthma triggers. cigarette smoke chemicals/sprays gas stove strong odors car exhaust/pollution Exposure to irritants can make your asthma worse. Irritants are things in the air that bother everyone s airways. The sensitive airways of people with asthma are even more affected by irritants. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 29

30 Asthma triggers: aggravators Step 1: Learn about asthma and your asthma triggers. weather cold/flu exercise stress Aggravators are other things that can make your asthma worse. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 30

31 Asthma triggers in the bedroom: Step 3: Know where you are exposed to triggers. What triggers can be in a bedroom? It is important to try to control triggers in the places where you spend the most time. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 31

32 Asthma triggers in the kitchen: Step 3: Know where you are exposed to triggers. What triggers can be in a kitchen? It s important to figure out how much you are around each of your triggers. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 32

33 Asthma triggers in the bathroom: Step 3: Know where you are exposed to triggers. What triggers can be in a bathroom? Some triggers are caused by the age of a home or by the way the house was built. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 33

34 Asthma triggers in the living room: Step 3: Know where you are exposed to triggers. What triggers can be in a living room? LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 34

35 Dust mites. Step 4: Take action and control triggers. beds and pillows carpets/rugs stuffed animals curtains Dust mites live in fabric items. They grow best in places that are warm and humid. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 35

36 Dust mite controls: Step 4: Take action and control triggers. use special mattress and pillow covers mop vacuum with a HEPA filter wash bed sheets weekly and wash curtains throw rug away freeze stuffed animals Take action to control dust mites. Start in places where you spend the most time and where you can make changes. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 36

37 Cockroaches. Step 4: Take action and control triggers. dirty dishes garbage pet food leaking sink Cockroaches need water and food to live. They like to live in places that are warm and dark. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 37

Cockroach controls: Step 4: Take action and control

(keep out of the reach of children) Take action to

38 Cockroach controls: Step 4: Take action and control triggers. wash dishes cover garbage repair leaks use baits and traps to kill cockroaches. (keep out of the reach of children) Take action to control cockroaches. Start in places where you spend the most time and where you can make changes. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 38

39 Molds. Step 4: Take action and control triggers. mold in corners rugs ceiling leak leaking sink Molds need water to live. Molds grow best in places that are humid, dark, and warm. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 39

40 Mold controls: Step 4: Take action and control triggers. use cleaning supplies throw rugs away mop repair leaks Take action. Find mold and clean places where mold grows best. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 40

41 Cats and other animals. Step 4: Take action and control triggers. Being around cats, dogs, and other animals can make your asthma worse. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 41

42 Animal controls: Step 4: Take action and control triggers. give pets away cover garbage to keep mice away keep pets out of your bedroom Take action. Try to spend less time around animals that make your asthma worse. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 42

43 Smoke. Step 4: Take action and control triggers. Smoke irritates the airways of all people. Smoke makes asthma worse. Even if you don t smoke, being around people who are smoking will make your asthma worse. Smoking is particularly harmful to young children. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 43

44 Smoke controls: Step 4: Take action and control triggers. stop smoking ask people to smoke outside Take action. Stop smoking. Spend less time around people who smoke. LESSON THREE: Know your triggers 44

45 LESSON FOUR: Communicate

46 Who is on your asthma team? teacher family friends doctor neighbors Everyone who helps you manage asthma is part of your asthma team. Remember, you are the most important member of your team. LESSON FOUR: Communicate 46

47 What does your team need to know? Communicate with your asthma team so they can understand your plan for managing asthma. Your early asthma symptoms Signs of a severe asthma attack Your medications Your triggers LESSON FOUR: Communicate 47

48 You can manage asthma. Communicate with your asthma team so they can help you reach your goals. LESSON FOUR: Communicate 48

49 What are your keys to managing asthma? Know your asthma Know your medications Know your triggers Communicate Take action to control asthma so that it does not stop you from doing the things you want to do. LESSON FOUR: Communicate 49

Asthma Triggers. It is very important for you to find out what your child s asthma triggers are and learn ways to avoid them.

Asthma Triggers. It is very important for you to find out what your child s asthma triggers are and learn ways to avoid them. Asthma s It is very important for you to find out what your child s asthma triggers are and learn ways to avoid them. With asthma, your child s airways are very sensitive. Things, called triggers, may