Breathing Easier
What is asthma? Asthma is a disease of the lungs that often leads to repeated episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, breathlessness, and early morning or nighttime coughing. Asthma currently affects approximately 8 percent of adults and approximately 10 percent of children in North Carolina. In 2009, 94 North Carolinians died due to asthma. Asthma impacts all North Carolinians; however, African Americans, Native Americans, women, persons 65 years and older, children under the age of 5 years, and persons living in households with an income less than $15,000 are among the groups most affected by asthma. NC Asthma Coalition 2015
EARLY warning signs Coughing (may be worse at night or with exercise) Wheezing Itchy, runny nose Itchy, soar throat Tightness or pain in chest Yellow zone of Asthma Action Plan http://www.emergencyanimal.com/bimages/coughing.jpg Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
Late warning signs- Emergency Fast Breathing Flaring nostrils Retractions- sinking of the skin between the ribs or front of neck Changes in skin color Difficulty walking or talking Red zone on Asthma Action Plan Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
Asthma Triggers http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/adam/images/en/commonasthma-triggers-picture.jpg Smoke and nicotine Cold and flu Pet dander Dust mites Mold/pollen Weather changes Strong odors/ fumes/ chemicals Medicine/food/insect bites Cockroaches Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
Exercise can also trigger an asthma attack Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
Some inhalers are used as rescue medications. Example- Albuterol Use as soon as you notice early or late signs of an asthma episode If exercise triggers asthma attacks, you can use inhalers 15-30 minutes before exercising to help prevent symptoms Inhalers Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina.
Spacers Spacers can be used as an attachment to the inhaler. Spacers allow more medicine to be inhaled by the lungs. A spacer is not needed for all children.
Alamance County Asthma Emergency Action Plan Stay with student, attempt to calm student. Have student rest in a sitting position, breathing slowly through mouth, exhaling slowly through pursed lips. Offer fluids Have student take prescribed medication as ordered by health care provider and parent permission. Notify the Principal. Notify the school nurse, if in the building, or first responder. DO NOT LEAVE CHILD ALONE. Notify parent of difficulty breathing or if medication is not effective in 15 minutes
Asthma emergency action plan Part II If parent is unavailable or student is having extreme difficulty breathing, call 911 and transport to the nearest hospital. RED ZONE
References Pediatric Asthma Services, Pitt County Memorial Hospital. (2008). Helping you breath easier. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina. http://www.airpurifiers.com/products/images /asthma2.jpg http://www.emergencyanimal.com/bimages/coughing.jpg http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/adam/im ages/en/common-asthma-triggers-picture.jpg http://asthma.ncdhhs.gov/
ABSS Asthma Emergency Care Plan Name: School/Yr: Bus#: Car Rider: Birth date: Grade/Teacher: After School/Extracurricular: Physician: Phone: Emergency Contact: Phone: Trained Staff: Medications at School? Yes No Location: Asthma Triggers: Environmental Physical Activity Other: Student s Symptoms: (Check all that apply) Difficulty breathing Wheezing Excessive Coughing Chest Tightness Flaring of Nostrils Numbness/Tingling in fingers/toes Loss of color in lips/nail beds Other: Items that relieve wheezing during attack: Inhaler Nebulizer Oral meds Water Rest Other: Flow Rate: Interventions: Stay with child continuously. Attempt to calm student if needed. Have student rest in a sitting position, breathing slowly through the mouth, exhaling slowly through pursed lips. Have student take prescribed medications as ordered by MD and as indicated on medication permission form. Offer fluids. Notify school nurse if available. Notify parent if child has severe breathing difficulty or if medication is not effective in 15 minutes. If parent if unavailable or student does not respond to above, call 911 and transport to: Monitor breathing and begin rescue breathing as necessary PLEASE ADD ANY FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS THAT YOU WISH FOR YOUR CHILD: Parent/Guardian Signature: School Nurse Signature: Date: Date: