A STHMA By: Candace Murphy

W HAT I S A STHMA ? Asthma is a chronic disease. It affects the airways and makes breathing difficult. It causes an inflammation of the air passages and results in a narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. The picture shows an inflamed air passage, asthmatic (left) and a normal air passage(right).

H OW A RE A STHMA A TTACKS T RIGGERED ? Allergies Airborne allergens Food Second-hand smoke Respiratory Infections Stress Changes in temperature Vigorous exercise

S YMPTOMS A ND S IGNS Characteristics of an Asthma attack include: Coughing, especially at night. Wheezing. Shortness of breath. Chest tightness, pain, or pressure. Difficulty breathing. Swelling and excess mucus in the airways.

T REATMENT AND M EDICATION Remove Triggers from environment if possible. Asthma medications Asthma inhalers Steroids & other anti-inflammatory drugs Bronchodilators: airway openers Asthma Nebulizer (breathing machine)

I N T HE C LASSROOM Asthma affects millions of children. Affects boys twice as often as girls. Knowing if a child in your class is very important for many reasons. To help prevent a child from having an attack by removing triggers from the classroom. Being prepared to help the child if needed. Knowing what to do if a child in your class has an asthma attack. Knowing what medications children take for asthma and knowing how it can affect them in the class room.

R EFERENCES "Asthma and Asthma Attacks Center: Symptoms, Causes, Tests, and Treatments." WebMD - Better information. Better health. Web. 26 Jan Marotz, Lynn R. Heath, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child. 7th ed. NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, Print.