Asthma
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs. It is a complex illness with a wide variability amongst individuals as to symptoms, and triggers that induce an asthma attack.
The most common symptoms are:
• cough*
• wheeze
• shortness of breath
• chest tightness
*there is a type of asthma known as with cough variant asthma where the child coughs frequently but does not wheeze.
Common triggers of an asthma attack include viral infections, cold air, exercise, and allergies to things like molds, mildew, pollens, pet dander etc.
Today asthma is the number 1 chronic illness of children with as many as 1 in 5 children affected. Asthma becomes a chronic illness for most sufferers after six years of age. Only 20 % of children will outgrow it after age six.
Dr. Randall Brown of the University of MIchigan says a quick way to diagnose persistent chronic asthma is to use the rule of two:
• If using quick relief inhaler 2 X week
• If awaken at night with asthma more than 2 X month
• If refill Albuterol more than 2 X year
The presence of any one of these three indicates persistent, chronic asthma
The fundamental basis of this illness is inflammation. Inhaled corticosteroids, such as Beclovent, help to prevent asthma attacks by decreasing the inflammation in the airways. These medications are often prescribed for daily use t help prevent asthma attacks.
Medications such as Albuterol, Proventil and Atrovent are inhaled medications which provide quick relief in an asthma attack by opening the airways. The airway openers are often used in conjunction with daily costicosteroids. There are also longer acting airway openers available such as Servent. Airway openers do not help the underlying inflammation.
The basic expectations of good asthma control are:
• no missed school or work
• no sleep disruption
• maintenance of normal activity - can participate in sports
• no (or minimum) Emergency Room visits
• normal or near normal lung function
With today's treatment even severe asthma can be well controlled. many of our top athletes have asthma, controlled by proper treatment, such as Cristi Yamaguchi, Jackie Joyner Kersee and Tom Wolan to name a few.
It is important to let your child's school know when (s)he is diagnosed with asthma.
To help your student maintain good asthma control at school it is helpful to have rescue medication available, if needed, whether kept on file at the office or carried by your child. It is also helpful to have an asthma emergency plan on file. These plans delineate peak flow levels and recommended treatment for red (a serious asthma flare up) yellow (an asthma flare) and green (breathing is good) zones. These plans should be filled out with your child's physician. The forms for these plans are available from the school nurse. Call X1051 or email aileen@ dexter.k12.mi.us to obtain a copy of one to have your child's physician fill out and to keep on file at school.
Proper treatment, maintenance of a treatment regime and good communication between home, healthcare providers and school are the basis of good asthma control.
For more information on asthma visit the following web sites in the resource box or contact your school nurse or health care provider.