Asthma is a condition where the airway in humans constricts, gets inflamed and is lined with mucus. The condition though generally associated with humans, is also being controversially diagnosed in house pets.
Asthma attacks are triggered by exposure to environmental stimulants like cold or warm or moist air, perfume or exertion/emotional stress. In the case of children, it is observed that the common triggers are viral illnesses.
The airway narrowing condition in asthma causes breathlessness, wheezing and coughing. This airway constriction is eased with the help of bronchodilators. It is common between episodes for the patients to feel well or exhibit mild symptoms.
The symptoms of mild to life threatening asthma can be controlled with a combination of medication and a change in the immediate environment. Research reveals that in the developed world, this killer is affecting up to one in four urban children!
Asthma is characterized by chronic respiratory impairment, episodic symptoms triggered by upper respiratory infection, stress, airborne allergens and air pollutants.
An acute exacerbation exhibits clinical hallmarks such as shortness of breath and wheezing and in the late stages of an asthma attack, the air motion may be so impaired that no wheezing may even be heard. If the patient coughs, clear sputum is produced.
The signs of an asthmatic episode include prolonged expiration, a rapid heart rate, lung sounds that are audible only through a stethoscope, pulse that is weaker during inhalation and stronger during exhalation and over-inflation of the chest cavity.
During a serious asthma attack, the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles of the neck are exerted causing the asthma sufferer to turn blue due to the lack of oxygen. The patient can also suffer the loss of consciousness and just before the loss of consciousness, the patient feels numbness in the limbs and experiences sweaty palms.
Asthma is caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The interaction of these factors influences how severe a person’s asthma is and the probability of how well the patient is likely to respond to medication.
It is observed that asthma prevalence has increased in developed countries with the increase in the use of antibiotics, c-sections and cleaning products. All of these negatively affect exposure to beneficial bacteria and other immune system modulators.
There are a number of environmental risk factors associated with asthma. These include traffic pollution, high ozone levels, tobacco smoke and maternal cigarette smoking, viral respiratory infections at an early age, use of antibiotics early in life, caesarean sections and psychological stress.
Many genes are related to the immune system and modulating inflammation. However, research results have not been consistent among all of the populations and hence, it is deduced that the genes are not associated with asthma under every condition.
Inflamed airways and bronchoconstriction in asthma as a result of the inflammatory response cause wheezing. During an asthma episode, the inflamed airways react to environmental triggers and produce excess mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe.
Stimulus to a trigger include waste from household pests, pollen and spores, indoor air pollutants like perfumed products, soap, dishwashing and laundry detergent, fabric softener, paper tissues and towels, hairspray and gel, cosmetics, facial sun cream, air freshener and products such as oil-based paint, medication like asprin and beta blockers, food allergies, presence of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide etc.
Hormonal changes in women associated with the menstrual cycle can worsen asthma. Some women experience their asthma improving during pregnancy. Emotional stress can also affect breathing temporarily and so can cold weather and high altitude.
It is recognized that patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and bronchial asthma, often improve when the former is diagnosed and treated.
Asthma is cured with the reversibility of the condition that occurs either spontaneously or with treatment. A physician diagnoses asthma on the basis of the patient's clinical history and examination. The measurement of the airway function is possible for adults. Diagnosis in children is based on analysis of the medical history and subsequent improvement.
With the proper use of prevention drugs, asthmatics can avoid the complications. However, it is observed that asthmatics stop taking preventive medication when they feel fine and this then results in further attacks.
Article By Gaynor Borade
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Asthma Attacks And Air Temperature
Patients should also consider air temperature. Cold air is extremely irritating in patients with bronchial asthma and may produce severe attacks. Individuals with asthma appear to warm cold air less quickly and efficiently than nonasthmatics. This warming takes place in the large air passages of the nose, sinuses, throat, and windpipe. One simple measure patients should take is to wrap the face with a scarf that warms air before it is inhaled. A cold air mask is commercially available and may provide more protection in the winter.
How to Avoid Severe or Fatal Asthma Attacks
Patients who experience severe or near-fatal asthma attacks must be active participants in monitoring and managing their asthma. Several characteristics of fatal or near-fatal asthma attacks stand out and I emphasize them here.
There is usually a period of falling airflows and increased wheezing, cough and shortness of breath that precedes a severe attack. In this critical time the introduction of oral cortcosteroid or an adjustment of maintenance treatment may prevent a near-fatal asthma attack. Unfortunately,patients with severe and subsequently fatal asthma often experience denial of their condition and symptoms. These patients are particularly vulnerable to fatal attacks, since they often disregard instructions to monitor flows and take medications. Usually, these patients admit to self-medication without communication with the physician, lowering dosages or omitting entirely oral and inhaled corti co steroids (for fear of side effects despite a life-threatening disease), and reducing the number of sprays from the recommended dosages of B-agonists, cromolyn, and nedocromil.
It is not clear why these patients place themselves at greater risk through denial of their disease and lack of communication with physicians. Unfortunate childhood experiences may playa role in how an adult deals with disease. Poor rapport with the physician or lack of detailed understanding of the nature of asthma may also be factors. It is only through education that patients may reach a better understanding of the potential severity and life-threatening aspects of bronchial asthma. Professional counseling may be necessary to reduce denial and to enlighten patients as to why they often do not follow instructions.
It has been reported recently that patients who have had near-fatal asthma attacks may have a reduced perception of shortness of breath.These patients may also have less response to reduced blood oxygen levels. These characteristics would make fatal attacks more likely. By carefully monitoring peak flows, these patients stand a better chance of recognizing the increased narrowing of airways that signals an asthma attack. When flows are reduced 25 percent from the patient's personal best, action must be taken at once. Written instructions help ensure an appropriate response.
Who Is Most Likely to Experience a Near-Fatal Attack?
Patients who have already experienced a severe attack that required respiratory support are the likeliest candidates for fatal asthmatic attacks.
When respiratory support is needed, the patient's airway or windpipe is intubated with a tube connected to a mechanical ventilator or respirator. Another characteristic that identifies "high-risk&" patients is an extremely variable or unstable airflow. These patients may have peak flows that drop or increase precipitously. Patients who have required frequent courses of oral corticosteroids or who are maintained on oral steroids should also be considered at greater risk for severe attacks.
About 10 to 25 percent of all deaths from asthma occur within three hours after the onset of an attack. These patients may progress from minimal sYmptoms to a collapse of their respirations in a short time. Investigators term this malady "sudden asphyxic asthma." For most patients there is a longer period during which the patient and physician can detect deterioration and instability and act quickly to avoid severe and near-fatal episodes. Without careful home monitoring of peak flows and close communication and compliance with physician instructions, patients who are at high risk for severe asthmatic attacks are likely to experience repeated episodes.
The best herbal vaporizers from across the globe. Use a vaporizer to inhale your herbs and feel the health benefits by using volcano vaporizer.
How to Avoid Severe or Fatal Asthma Attacks
Patients who experience severe or near-fatal asthma attacks must be active participants in monitoring and managing their asthma. Several characteristics of fatal or near-fatal asthma attacks stand out and I emphasize them here.
There is usually a period of falling airflows and increased wheezing, cough and shortness of breath that precedes a severe attack. In this critical time the introduction of oral cortcosteroid or an adjustment of maintenance treatment may prevent a near-fatal asthma attack. Unfortunately,patients with severe and subsequently fatal asthma often experience denial of their condition and symptoms. These patients are particularly vulnerable to fatal attacks, since they often disregard instructions to monitor flows and take medications. Usually, these patients admit to self-medication without communication with the physician, lowering dosages or omitting entirely oral and inhaled corti co steroids (for fear of side effects despite a life-threatening disease), and reducing the number of sprays from the recommended dosages of B-agonists, cromolyn, and nedocromil.
It is not clear why these patients place themselves at greater risk through denial of their disease and lack of communication with physicians. Unfortunate childhood experiences may playa role in how an adult deals with disease. Poor rapport with the physician or lack of detailed understanding of the nature of asthma may also be factors. It is only through education that patients may reach a better understanding of the potential severity and life-threatening aspects of bronchial asthma. Professional counseling may be necessary to reduce denial and to enlighten patients as to why they often do not follow instructions.
It has been reported recently that patients who have had near-fatal asthma attacks may have a reduced perception of shortness of breath.These patients may also have less response to reduced blood oxygen levels. These characteristics would make fatal attacks more likely. By carefully monitoring peak flows, these patients stand a better chance of recognizing the increased narrowing of airways that signals an asthma attack. When flows are reduced 25 percent from the patient's personal best, action must be taken at once. Written instructions help ensure an appropriate response.
Who Is Most Likely to Experience a Near-Fatal Attack?
Patients who have already experienced a severe attack that required respiratory support are the likeliest candidates for fatal asthmatic attacks.
When respiratory support is needed, the patient's airway or windpipe is intubated with a tube connected to a mechanical ventilator or respirator. Another characteristic that identifies "high-risk&" patients is an extremely variable or unstable airflow. These patients may have peak flows that drop or increase precipitously. Patients who have required frequent courses of oral corticosteroids or who are maintained on oral steroids should also be considered at greater risk for severe attacks.
About 10 to 25 percent of all deaths from asthma occur within three hours after the onset of an attack. These patients may progress from minimal sYmptoms to a collapse of their respirations in a short time. Investigators term this malady "sudden asphyxic asthma." For most patients there is a longer period during which the patient and physician can detect deterioration and instability and act quickly to avoid severe and near-fatal episodes. Without careful home monitoring of peak flows and close communication and compliance with physician instructions, patients who are at high risk for severe asthmatic attacks are likely to experience repeated episodes.
The best herbal vaporizers from across the globe. Use a vaporizer to inhale your herbs and feel the health benefits by using volcano vaporizer.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
An Apple Juice A Day May Keep Asthma Away In Texas
Researchers have discovered that kids in Dallas, Houston and the rest of Texas who drink lots of apple juice may be less likely to develop asthma symptoms. The National Heart and Lung Institute research is the latest to issue a study linking apples and individual human health.
The study found that children who drank apple juice daily were half as likely to suffer from wheezing as those who drank it less than once a month. The study concluded that eating fresh apples themselves gave no apparent benefits to children.
Researchers studied five to 10-year-old schoolchildren in the Greenwich area of London, asking parents about their child's fruit intake and any symptoms the children suffered. While there was no link found between apple juice consumption and a reduced chance of an actual asthma diagnosis, there was a strong link between wheezing and drinking the juice.
The appearance of wheezing symptoms is one of the most important signs that a child is at risk for asthma, although many children with the symptoms may not be diagnosed with the illness. There was a similar, but not as strong a benefit found for children eating bananas at least once a day, compared with less than once a month. The apple juice involved in the study was not fresh apple juice. Long-life juices made from apple juice concentrate were equally as effective.
Dr Peter Burney, who led the study, said that it was possible that "phytochemicals" in apples, such as flavanoids and phenolic acids, helped to calm the inflammation in the airways, which is a key feature of both wheezing and asthma.
He said it currently isn't clear why a link between eating apples themselves and reduced asthma symptoms -- already spotted in adult studies -- didn't appear among the children in this study. "Further studies are needed to confirm the protective effects of apple juice and bananas," he said.
Dr Mike Thomas, an Asthma researcher at the University of Aberdeen, said that the study was further evidence of the protective effect of apples.
Recent research from the university suggested that women who ate a diet heavy in apples during pregnancy were protecting their unborn children against asthma. "There is some evidence that a healthy diet rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins is good for asthma," Thomas said. "It is yet another reason why we should be encouraging a healthy diet."
Other recent studies suggest that apple consumption can help control weight gain, lower the risk of heart disease and fight cancer. And though most people think the flesh of the apple is the most delicious part, the skin is actually the most nutritious.
Apple skin contains 4 milligrams of quercetin, an anti-oxident compound that prevents oxygen molecules from damaging individual cells, which can prevent cell changes that could lead to cancer. A Finnish study recently showed that men who had a high intake of quercetin lowered their risk of heart disease by 20 percent. This compound has also been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors and keep cancer cells from spreading.
The insoluble fiber found in apples has a host of other benefits. The apple skin is considered roughage and is a great remedy for constipation. Insoluble fiber also helps the digestive tract run smoothly, helping prevent diverticulosis, which is a condition that can lead to colon cancer. Another benefit of apple's insoluble fiber is its filling effect, which is an appetite suppressant.
Apples also contain soluble fiber, which forms a gel-like material in the digestive tract that can help lower cholesterol, as well as stroke and heart disease risk. One of an apple's more well-known soluble fibers is pectin. Pectin reduces the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver, slows both digestion and the rise of blood sugar, making it ideal for diabetics.
As you'll discover, what you put into your body will affect your health. And your health, good or bad, will eventually affect your bank account as well.
Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at Precedent.com
The study found that children who drank apple juice daily were half as likely to suffer from wheezing as those who drank it less than once a month. The study concluded that eating fresh apples themselves gave no apparent benefits to children.
Researchers studied five to 10-year-old schoolchildren in the Greenwich area of London, asking parents about their child's fruit intake and any symptoms the children suffered. While there was no link found between apple juice consumption and a reduced chance of an actual asthma diagnosis, there was a strong link between wheezing and drinking the juice.
The appearance of wheezing symptoms is one of the most important signs that a child is at risk for asthma, although many children with the symptoms may not be diagnosed with the illness. There was a similar, but not as strong a benefit found for children eating bananas at least once a day, compared with less than once a month. The apple juice involved in the study was not fresh apple juice. Long-life juices made from apple juice concentrate were equally as effective.
Dr Peter Burney, who led the study, said that it was possible that "phytochemicals" in apples, such as flavanoids and phenolic acids, helped to calm the inflammation in the airways, which is a key feature of both wheezing and asthma.
He said it currently isn't clear why a link between eating apples themselves and reduced asthma symptoms -- already spotted in adult studies -- didn't appear among the children in this study. "Further studies are needed to confirm the protective effects of apple juice and bananas," he said.
Dr Mike Thomas, an Asthma researcher at the University of Aberdeen, said that the study was further evidence of the protective effect of apples.
Recent research from the university suggested that women who ate a diet heavy in apples during pregnancy were protecting their unborn children against asthma. "There is some evidence that a healthy diet rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins is good for asthma," Thomas said. "It is yet another reason why we should be encouraging a healthy diet."
Other recent studies suggest that apple consumption can help control weight gain, lower the risk of heart disease and fight cancer. And though most people think the flesh of the apple is the most delicious part, the skin is actually the most nutritious.
Apple skin contains 4 milligrams of quercetin, an anti-oxident compound that prevents oxygen molecules from damaging individual cells, which can prevent cell changes that could lead to cancer. A Finnish study recently showed that men who had a high intake of quercetin lowered their risk of heart disease by 20 percent. This compound has also been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors and keep cancer cells from spreading.
The insoluble fiber found in apples has a host of other benefits. The apple skin is considered roughage and is a great remedy for constipation. Insoluble fiber also helps the digestive tract run smoothly, helping prevent diverticulosis, which is a condition that can lead to colon cancer. Another benefit of apple's insoluble fiber is its filling effect, which is an appetite suppressant.
Apples also contain soluble fiber, which forms a gel-like material in the digestive tract that can help lower cholesterol, as well as stroke and heart disease risk. One of an apple's more well-known soluble fibers is pectin. Pectin reduces the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver, slows both digestion and the rise of blood sugar, making it ideal for diabetics.
As you'll discover, what you put into your body will affect your health. And your health, good or bad, will eventually affect your bank account as well.
Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at Precedent.com
Friday, October 10, 2008
What You Should Know About Asthma and Panic Attacks
There are some facts you should know about asthma and panic attacks. You should know that panic attack and asthma will limit your ability to live a normal healthy lifestyle because the asthma and panic attacks look similar and yet completely different. Asthma can kill you if not well managed but panic attack will not kill you. However, there are some people who experience both asthma and panic attacks and such people must quickly treat both or any of them.
One thing you should know about asthma and panic attack is that asthma can cause so much anxiety that it can trigger a panic attack and like a vicious cycle can make the asthma attack serious. Asthma attack can cause the sufferer to have difficulty in breathing and a tight chest.
There is already some body of evidence that there is a relationship between asthma and panic attack. Asthma attack is associated with an increased risk of panic attacks among adults and there is a consistent relation between severity and persistence of both attacks. Most people with panic attacks experience one or several of the following symptoms, breathing difficulties, just like in asthma, feeling weak, faint or dizzy, chest pains, sense of terror or of imminent doom or death, racing heart, numbness in the hands and fingers, sweaty or having chills and loss of control.
In both asthma and panic attacks, there are now natural alternative remedies to treat asthma and panic attacks and they are effective and safe. Some people have found relief from both asthma and panic attacks through several natural treatments that work just as well as medications without side effects.
Take back your life and begin living your dreams and achieving your goals. You can download breakthrough techniques to help you treat panic attacks and anxiety quickly and effectively. Click here now to download.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Flaviu_Serban
One thing you should know about asthma and panic attack is that asthma can cause so much anxiety that it can trigger a panic attack and like a vicious cycle can make the asthma attack serious. Asthma attack can cause the sufferer to have difficulty in breathing and a tight chest.
There is already some body of evidence that there is a relationship between asthma and panic attack. Asthma attack is associated with an increased risk of panic attacks among adults and there is a consistent relation between severity and persistence of both attacks. Most people with panic attacks experience one or several of the following symptoms, breathing difficulties, just like in asthma, feeling weak, faint or dizzy, chest pains, sense of terror or of imminent doom or death, racing heart, numbness in the hands and fingers, sweaty or having chills and loss of control.
In both asthma and panic attacks, there are now natural alternative remedies to treat asthma and panic attacks and they are effective and safe. Some people have found relief from both asthma and panic attacks through several natural treatments that work just as well as medications without side effects.
Take back your life and begin living your dreams and achieving your goals. You can download breakthrough techniques to help you treat panic attacks and anxiety quickly and effectively. Click here now to download.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Flaviu_Serban
Asthma Treatment for Kids
Asthma treatments and allergy treatments in a natural way for children are often sought after by parents who are weary of dosing their offspring with medications such as steroids or other chemicals. A reason why parents are searching for natural ways to treat asthma is because parents are concerned with side effects from treating asthma with today asthma medications. With so many side effects in asthma treatment drugs parents having kids with asthma are continuing to search for alternative methods of asthma treatment for their kids. One of the issues is the number of asthma attacks continues to rise in countries where today’s growing industrial age grows in areas once considered 3rd world countries. Once these older countries join the industrial revolution in today’s global economy, pollution has increased along with signs of kids with asthma. With pollution rising asthma attacks in children show affects of asthma attack from be mild, moderate, severe or even life threatening asthma attacks. This has increased concern that we need to figure out natural ways of treating asthma in kids.
The distinction between asthma in adults and children is the ability to have a chance to document the history of asthma or different trends. With adults we have the opportunity to track when attacks occur of a period of time. During allergies and hay fever attacks the sufferer has difficulty with allergic rhinitis or sneezing, congestions, runny and itchy nose. An allergic rhinitis reaction may be either seasonal or perennial. Although allergies can precipitate an asthmatic attack it isn’t necessarily the case.
Most allergies present themselves as symptoms in the head, sinus or nose. However, when the allergic reaction moves into the chest with angioedema and constriction it comes under the associated name of asthma. One of every six Americans has some type of allergy. Many of these allergies as described in earlier posts are triggered by pollen, weeds, grasses, as are asthmatic attacks.
There are natural cures for asthma and allergies in children that help to decrease the severity and number of the attacks. Some use hydrogen peroxide in the humidifier or medication aerosolizer. Others use stress reducers to decrease emotional stress and therefore a potent asthma trigger. Some of the other natural methods include trying to reducing dust in common areas and routinely changing a toothbrush or switching to a Sonicare toothbrush to help avoid tiny mold spores that can grow and possibly ignite and asthma attack.
Current or popular brand names of medications used in asthma treatment of kids or Children include asthma medications such as Pulmicort, Beclovent, Flovent, Ventolin, Advair, and Prednisone. Unfortunately for parents these medications all come with side effects of some type. Children with asthma as well as adults seeking asthma treatment could experience, nausea, nasal irritation, dry mouth, delayed growth in children, infection, osteoporosis, cough and wheezing, headache, permanent loss of smell or taste, pneumonia, rash, cardiac complications, increased risk of glaucoma, liver dysfunction and worsening diabetes if the suffers from diabetes. A medication interaction can lessen, increase or completely change the way in which reacts to either of the medications. Although some of these may not occur it really requires a concerned parent or caretaker to ask the doctor or pharmacist to approve a natural cure or method for treating asthma and allergies in children.
After you have researched the natural remedies for treating asthma in kids you may want to stock up on products prior to seasonal and have them on hand before the symptoms of up coming asthma attack begin to appear in the child. In addition asthma attacks are often worse at night although the asthma type might not be nocturnal asthma and parents should be aware of how the child is breathing prior to going to bed incase they need to implement a quick asthma treatment for their kid.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
How Asthma-Friendly Is Your School?
Children with asthma need proper support at school to keep their asthma under control and be fully active. Use the questions below to find out how well your school assists children with asthma:
Is your school free of tobacco smoke all of the time, including during school-sponsored events?
Does the school maintain good indoor air quality? Does it reduce or eliminate allergens and irritants that can make asthma worse? Allergens and irritants include pets with fur or feathers, mold, dust mites (for example, in carpets and upholstery), cockroaches, and strong odors or fumes from such products as pesticides, paint, perfumes, and cleaning chemicals.
Is there a school nurse in your school all day, every day? If not, is a nurse regularly available to the school to help write plans and give guidance for students with asthma about medicines, physical education, and field trips?
Can children take medicines at school as recommended by their doctor and parents? May children carry their own asthma medicines?
Does your school have an emergency plan for taking care of a child with a severe asthma episode (attack)? Is it made clear what to do? Who to call? When to call?
Does someone teach school staff about asthma, asthma management plans, and asthma medicines? Does someone teach all students about asthma and how to help a classmate who has it?
Do students have good options for fully and safely participating in physical education class and recess? (For example, do students have access to their medicine before exercise? Can they choose modified or alternative activities when medically necessary?)
If the answer to any question is no, students may be facing obstacles to asthma control. Asthma out of control can hinder a student's attendance, participation, and progress in school. School staff, health professionals, and parents can work together to remove obstacles and to promote students' health and education.
Contact the organizations listed below for information about asthma and helpful ideas for making school policies and practices more asthma-friendly. Federal and State laws are there to help children with asthma.
Asthma can be controlled; expect nothing less.
Resource Organizations for Parents and School Staff
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
(301) 592-8573
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/naepp
NAEPP materials include:
Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools
Asthma Awareness Curriculum for the Elementary Classroom
Asthma and Physical Activity in the School
Making a Difference: Asthma Management in the School (video)
Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc.
2751 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 150
Fairfax, VA 22031
(800) 878-4403 or (703) 641-9595
Internet: http://www.aanma.org
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
611 East Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(800) 822-ASMA or (414) 272-6071
Internet: http://www.aaaai.org
American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(800) 433-9016 or (847) 228-5005
Internet: http://www.aap.org
American Association for Respiratory Care
11030 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229-4593
(972) 243-2272
Internet: http://www.aarc.org
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
85 West Algonquin Road, Suite 550
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(800) 842-7777 or (847) 427-1200
Internet: http://allergy.mcg.edu
American Lung Association
For the affiliate nearest you, call
(800) LUNG USA
Internet: http://www.lungusa.org
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
1125 15th Street, N.W., Suite 502
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 7-ASTHMA or (202) 466-7643
Internet: http://www.aafa.org
Healthy Kids: The Key to Basics
Educational Planning for Students With Asthma and Other Chronic Health Conditions
79 Elmore Street
Newton, MA 02159-1137
(617) 965-9637
National Association of School Nurses
111 Cantril street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Telephone: (303) 663-0403
Internet: http://www.nasn.org
National Education Association
Health Information Network
1201 16th street, NW, Suite 521
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 822-7570
Internet: http://www.asthmaandschools.org
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights, Customer Service Team
Mary E. Switzer Building
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-1328
(800) 421-3481 or (202) 205-5413
Internet: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Indoor Environments Division
401 M Street, S.W. (6604J)
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 233-9370
Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse
(800) 438-4318
Internet: http://www.epa.gov/iaq
Article by Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Is your school free of tobacco smoke all of the time, including during school-sponsored events?
Does the school maintain good indoor air quality? Does it reduce or eliminate allergens and irritants that can make asthma worse? Allergens and irritants include pets with fur or feathers, mold, dust mites (for example, in carpets and upholstery), cockroaches, and strong odors or fumes from such products as pesticides, paint, perfumes, and cleaning chemicals.
Is there a school nurse in your school all day, every day? If not, is a nurse regularly available to the school to help write plans and give guidance for students with asthma about medicines, physical education, and field trips?
Can children take medicines at school as recommended by their doctor and parents? May children carry their own asthma medicines?
Does your school have an emergency plan for taking care of a child with a severe asthma episode (attack)? Is it made clear what to do? Who to call? When to call?
Does someone teach school staff about asthma, asthma management plans, and asthma medicines? Does someone teach all students about asthma and how to help a classmate who has it?
Do students have good options for fully and safely participating in physical education class and recess? (For example, do students have access to their medicine before exercise? Can they choose modified or alternative activities when medically necessary?)
If the answer to any question is no, students may be facing obstacles to asthma control. Asthma out of control can hinder a student's attendance, participation, and progress in school. School staff, health professionals, and parents can work together to remove obstacles and to promote students' health and education.
Contact the organizations listed below for information about asthma and helpful ideas for making school policies and practices more asthma-friendly. Federal and State laws are there to help children with asthma.
Asthma can be controlled; expect nothing less.
Resource Organizations for Parents and School Staff
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
(301) 592-8573
Internet: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/naepp
NAEPP materials include:
Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools
Asthma Awareness Curriculum for the Elementary Classroom
Asthma and Physical Activity in the School
Making a Difference: Asthma Management in the School (video)
Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc.
2751 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 150
Fairfax, VA 22031
(800) 878-4403 or (703) 641-9595
Internet: http://www.aanma.org
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
611 East Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(800) 822-ASMA or (414) 272-6071
Internet: http://www.aaaai.org
American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(800) 433-9016 or (847) 228-5005
Internet: http://www.aap.org
American Association for Respiratory Care
11030 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229-4593
(972) 243-2272
Internet: http://www.aarc.org
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
85 West Algonquin Road, Suite 550
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(800) 842-7777 or (847) 427-1200
Internet: http://allergy.mcg.edu
American Lung Association
For the affiliate nearest you, call
(800) LUNG USA
Internet: http://www.lungusa.org
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
1125 15th Street, N.W., Suite 502
Washington, DC 20005
(800) 7-ASTHMA or (202) 466-7643
Internet: http://www.aafa.org
Healthy Kids: The Key to Basics
Educational Planning for Students With Asthma and Other Chronic Health Conditions
79 Elmore Street
Newton, MA 02159-1137
(617) 965-9637
National Association of School Nurses
111 Cantril street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Telephone: (303) 663-0403
Internet: http://www.nasn.org
National Education Association
Health Information Network
1201 16th street, NW, Suite 521
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 822-7570
Internet: http://www.asthmaandschools.org
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights, Customer Service Team
Mary E. Switzer Building
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-1328
(800) 421-3481 or (202) 205-5413
Internet: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Indoor Environments Division
401 M Street, S.W. (6604J)
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 233-9370
Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse
(800) 438-4318
Internet: http://www.epa.gov/iaq
Article by Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
How Does Asthma Inhalers Work?
Asthma inhalers are a lifesaver to asthma sufferers. Asthma inhalers provides a safety net for people with asthma and is used whenever an asthma attack is imminent.
The most common asthma inhaler is a canister that deliver asthma mediation via a nebulizer in the form of a mist.
Asthma inhaler has been used for nearly a hundred years and has improved a lot in recent years to deliver greater absorption and potency. The basic principle is still the same although the medication has changed over the years.
When an asthma person suffers an asthma attack, the muscles in the bronchial tubes becomes constricted and thus makes it difficult for the person to breathe. An asthma inhaler helps to relax the muscles enabling the person to breathe normally. Doctors also recommend asthma sufferers to use inhalers before going to bed at night and also when they wake up in the morning.
First use users of asthma inhalers may find it difficult to use at first. Although it looks simple, timing is very important. The mouthpiece is placed in the mouth and with a press of a button, you should breathe in hard at the same time so that the asthma medication can go into the lungs.
After the inhaler is released, you should exhale just as hard. It is important to get it right as during an asthma attack, a person may not have much time to think about it and should be able to do this instinctively.
By doing this in one motion, the full dosage of the medication is delivered to the lungs and you stand a better chance of recovering from an asthma attack.
There is no current cure for asthma and asthma inhalers are a very valuable lifesaver that has helped save many people’s lives.
Ricky is the online editor of http://www.asthmahomeopathy.net, a website dedicated to provide alternative forms of asthma remedies such as asthma herbal inhaler.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ricky_Lim
The most common asthma inhaler is a canister that deliver asthma mediation via a nebulizer in the form of a mist.
Asthma inhaler has been used for nearly a hundred years and has improved a lot in recent years to deliver greater absorption and potency. The basic principle is still the same although the medication has changed over the years.
When an asthma person suffers an asthma attack, the muscles in the bronchial tubes becomes constricted and thus makes it difficult for the person to breathe. An asthma inhaler helps to relax the muscles enabling the person to breathe normally. Doctors also recommend asthma sufferers to use inhalers before going to bed at night and also when they wake up in the morning.
First use users of asthma inhalers may find it difficult to use at first. Although it looks simple, timing is very important. The mouthpiece is placed in the mouth and with a press of a button, you should breathe in hard at the same time so that the asthma medication can go into the lungs.
After the inhaler is released, you should exhale just as hard. It is important to get it right as during an asthma attack, a person may not have much time to think about it and should be able to do this instinctively.
By doing this in one motion, the full dosage of the medication is delivered to the lungs and you stand a better chance of recovering from an asthma attack.
There is no current cure for asthma and asthma inhalers are a very valuable lifesaver that has helped save many people’s lives.
Ricky is the online editor of http://www.asthmahomeopathy.net, a website dedicated to provide alternative forms of asthma remedies such as asthma herbal inhaler.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ricky_Lim
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