Jasmine Williams, MPH, CHESAsthma Program Coordinator

Our MissionTo saves lives by preventing lung disease

and promoting lung health through:• Education• Advocacy • Research

What is Asthma?

Asthma……

Chronic life- long inflammatory condition that makes it hard to get air in and out of the lungs

Asthma causes three primary changes in the lungs:• Inflammation or swelling• Tightening of the muscles around the airways• Excess mucous production

Normal Airway vs. Asthmatic Airway

CAACP, 2004

What Causes Asthma??

WE DON’T REALLY KNOW!!!

Complex Interaction between:• Genetics Factors- children are more likely to develop

asthma if their parents have it• Environmental Factors – exposure to some viral

infections as infants when the immune system is not fully developed may cause asthma

Asthma Remains a Serious Health Risk in the US

12.3 million people have an asthma attack

2 million people visit an emergency room due to

asthma

500,000 people are admitted to the hospital due to

asthma

11 people die from

asthma

Every day in America, approximately…

American Lung Association. Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, Research & Program Services Division. Trends in Asthma Morbidity & Mortality. November 2007. www.lungusa.org. Accessed 2/25/08.

• Childhood asthma accounts for 12.8 million days missed from school annually • The number-one chronic

condition causing children to be absent from school and the third highest ranked cause of pediatric hospitalizations in the United States

• On average, a child with asthma will miss one full week of school each year

Burden of Asthma in MS• 1 in every 14 adults have asthma

• More women than men (8% v. 5%)

• 1 in every 10 children have asthma• More African American children than Caucasian children

(13% v. 8%)• More boys than girls (12% v. 8%)

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2007

are likely to have asthma.*

On average, 3 children in a classroom of 30

*Epidemiology and Statistics Unit. Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality. NYC: ALA, July 2006.

Provide a Safe Environment

• By learning early warning signs and symptoms of an asthma episodes

• By learning asthma triggers and ways to reduce exposure

• By encouraging students to take asthma medications regularly or as prescribed by a healthcare professional

• By learning to act in the event of an asthma emergency

Asthma Signs & Symptoms

Early Warning Signs• Sudden mood changes and/or irritability• Trouble completing sentences without gasping for

breath• Itchy chin or neck• Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing• Watery, itchy eyes• Stomach ache/poor appetite • Dark circles under the eyes

Asthma SymptomsWhat to Listen for…

• Coughing or a persistent cough• Frequent clearing of the throat

• Irregular breathing

• Noisy, difficult breathing

• Wheezing during exhaling

Asthma SymptomsWhat to Look for…

• Anxious or scared look

• Unusual facial paleness

• Flared nostrils

• Pursed-lip breathing

• Fast breathing/shortness of breath

• Hunched-over body position

Perspiring

Vomiting due to hyperventilation

Restlessness during sleep

Fatigue that is not related to activity

Asthma Triggers

Asthma TriggersAllergens• Substances that

cause allergic reactions

• Exposure increases airway inflammation and asthma symptoms

Irritants• Substances

that irritate the lungs • Exposure increases

asthma symptoms or limits airflow

Animal allergens

Dust mites

Cockroach allergens

Indoor fungi

Tobacco smoke

Common Asthma Triggers

All warm-blooded animals produce flakes of skin (dander), feces, urine and dried saliva that can cause allergic reactions.

• Best option - Keep animals out of classroom• Wash hands after contact with the pet• Isolate the pet

Animal Allergens

Asthma Triggers: Allergens

• Require humidity and human (skin) dander to survive

• High levels are found in bedding, pillows, mattress, upholstered furniture, carpets, clothes and soft toys

Dust Mites

Asthma Triggers: Allergens

Asthma Triggers: PollenPollens can cause the following symptoms: itchy watery eyes, runny nose,

itchy throat, hives, fatigue, and irritability.

Asthma triggers found outdoors are harder to control.

Try:• Watching pollen levels. Pollen levels vary by

seasons. Find out which seasons affect students the most.

• Keep windows closed on high pollen-days as well as avoid outside activity.

• Have parents talk with their child’s doctor about medications that can help reduce symptoms.

Asthma Triggers: Mold

Mold or Fungus is found nearly everywhere in the environment. It poses serious health risk to students and staff, especially those with asthma.

Asthma Triggers: CockroachTiny pieces of dead roaches and roach droppings end up in dust and the air we breathe.

Its important to make sure classrooms and other school spaces are free of pest because exposure to such pest can lead to:

• Stuffy nose• Coughing• Wheezing• A feeling of chest tightness• Shortness of breathe

Asthma Triggers: Food Allergies

Asthma Triggers: Irritants

Gases & SmokeKerosene Heaters

Wood StovesFireplaces

VOCsHairspray

Cooking spray Furniture polish

Perfumes Paint

Tobacco smoke

Asthma Triggers: SmokeExposure to any type of smoke – cigarette, cigar and secondhand smoke, wood, coal, leaf burning, industrial waste, chemistry labs and or kitchen smoke can all irritate the lungs.

Reduce exposure by:• Preventing smoking on or around school

campus • Encouraging and helping parents,

faculty, and staff to quit smoking

Asthma Triggers: Fumes

Asthma Triggers: Irritants

• Air pollution

• Chemicals and strong smells

Other Asthma Triggers

• Colds, flu, sinus problems• Exercise• Bursts of emotion• Some medicines in sensitive individuals• Anxiety• Obesity

Asthma Medications

Metered-Dose

Inhaler (MDI)

Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI)

Spacer/Holding

Chamber

Spacer/Holding

Chamber and Face

Mask

Nebulizer

Inhaled Medication Delivery Devices

Long-Term Control Medicines • Also called “controllers”

• Prevent lung inflammation, but will not help during an asthma attack

• Must be taken for several days before positive effects are noted

Quick-Relief Medicines

• Also called “rescue or relievers”

• Relax the muscles around the airways and decrease the narrowing of the airways

• Provide immediate relief lasting several hours

• Used to prevent and treat Exercise Induced Asthma

Medications to Treat Asthma:Nebulizer

• Machine produces a mist of the medication

• Used for small children or for severe asthma episodes

• No evidence that it is more effective than an inhaler used with a spacer

Take Action

Asthma Action Plan

Green zone - when symptoms are controlled

Yellow zone – when symptoms are present

Red zone – when symptoms do not go away or get worse

Emergency Response during Asthma Episode

If student has excessive coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness:

• Help to an upright position; speak calmly and reassuringly• Follow individualized action/emergency plan for use of quick-relief inhaler• If quick-relief inhaler or action/emergency plan not available, send to health

office accompanied by peer or with staff member• Get emergency help from school nurse or designated emergency staff if any

of the following: Inhaler not helping Breathing hard & fast Nostrils open wide Can’t walk or talk well

Questions

We will breathe easier when the air in everyAmerican community is clean and healthy.

 We will breathe easier when people are free from the addictivegrip of cigarettes and the debilitating effects of lung disease. 

We will breathe easier when the air in our public spaces andworkplaces is clear of secondhand smoke.

We will breathe easier when children no longerbattle airborne poisons or fear an asthma attack. 

Until then, we are fighting for air.

For more information, contact:

American Lung Association in Mississippi

Jasmine Williams, MPH, CHES

Asthma Program Coordinator

jwilliams@breathehealthy.org

601.206.5810