Childhood Asthma What is it? What does it look like? What can I do? Resources Tamra Green Peace College

So, exactly what is Asthma? Tamra Green Peace College

What Asthma looks like. Tamra Green

Causes and Symptoms A physician looks at the onset of symptoms and associated allergies and does a pulmonary lung function test. Many children will wheeze, cough, or have shortness of breath and can be fatigued. The symptoms worsen at night and can become intermittent. Triggers are allergies, viruses, immune system, heredity, or environmental. Tamra Green Peace College

Recognizing an Attack Shortness of breath Wheezing Cough Heaving chest, use of neck muscles to breathe, flaring of nostrils Children tend to hunch over and are restless NOT EVERY CHILD WHEEZES! Tamra Green Peace College

Prevention and Management First, collaborate with families about an asthma treatment plan. Next, know your medicines and inhalers. Finally, be preventive and act early. Tamra Green Peace College

Peak Flow Meters Record child’s “personal best” reading to use as a baseline. Green zone: 80% to 100 % SAFE Yellow zone: 50% to 80% NEEDS MEDS Red zone: below 50% EMERGENCY Tamra Green Peace College

Inhalers and Spacers  Nebulizers  Inhalers  Spacers  Bronchodilators  Anti-Inflammatory Drugs  Epinephrine Tamra Green Peace College

Asthma Facts One out of three asthmatics in the US is under 18. Asthma is the most common childhood chronic illness. Occurs more often in African Americans and women. It is the leading cause for absenteeism from school. Tamra Green Peace Colleg

Resources The Asthma Sourcebook, by Francis V. Adams, MD. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ex.html Children’s Asthma Center ex.html ex.html Keep Kids Healthy/Asthma ex.html Tamra Green Peace College