Manage Asthma In School

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects the airways. Children with asthma have airways that are inflamed. Inflamed airways are very sensitive, so they tend to react strongly to things called “triggers.” When the airways react to a trigger, they become narrower due to swelling and squeezing of the airways by the small muscles around them. This results in less air getting through to the lungs and less air getting out. Symptoms of asthma include acute episodes of:

1. Coughing
2. Wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound during breathing)
3. Chest tightness
4. Shortness of breath

Symptoms can vary in severity; they can be mild or moderate and affect activity levels, or they can be severe and life threatening. Asthma triggers and symptoms vary from one person to another. Some children have asthma symptoms only occasionally, while others have symptoms almost all the time.

Common Asthma Triggers

Although triggers that cause an asthma episode vary among individuals, there are several common triggers.

1. Allergens such as pollen, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, and molds
2. Irritants such as cold air, perfume, pesticides, strong odors, weather changes, cigarette smoke, and chalk dust
3. Respiratory infections such as a cold or the flu • Physical exercise, especially in cold weather

Why Be Concerned About Asthma At School?

Almost 3 students in a class- room of 30 currently have asthma. Uncontrolled asthma can result in reduced performance for the child with asthma and disruptions for the entire classroom.

Students with asthma can function to their maximum potential if their needs are met. The benefits to students include better attendance; improved alertness and physical stamina; fewer symptoms; and fewer restrictions on participation in physical activities and special events, such as field trips, and fewer medical emergencies. Schools and their staff can work together with parents or guardians, students, and health care providers to minimize risk and to provide a healthy and safe educational environment for students with asthma.

Asthma Is A Leading Cause Of School Absenteeism.

Asthma is one of the leading causes of school absence due to illness. Approximately 9.2 million children younger than 18 years of age have been diagnosed with asthma in their lifetime; 3.2 million or approximately 6 percent of children ages 5 to 17 had an asthma episode (attack) in the preceding year (2001 NHIS data).School staff members can play an important role in helping students with asthma manage their disease at school.

Actions For The Classroom Teacher Help Children With Asthma And Their Families Manage Asthma

1. Consult with your school nurse or principal for updated policy and procedures for managing students with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, including managing medication and responding to emergencies, such as an asthma episode (attack).
2. Know your role. Ask the student to tell you when he/she is experiencing any difficulty in breathing, and know what steps to take in case of an asthma episode. Don’t delay getting medical help for a student with severe or persistent breathing difficulty.
3. Develop a clear procedure with the student and his or her parent(s) or guardian(s) for handling schoolwork missed if the student has episodes of illness or misses school.
4. Report if a student’s symptoms are interfering with learning or activities with peers. Possible side effects of medicine that warrant referral are nervousness, nausea, jitteriness, hyperactivity, and drowsiness.
5. Alert school administrators, school nurses, and parent(s) or guardian(s) of changes in a student’s performance or behavior that might reflect trouble with asthma. The vast majority of students with asthma are able to participate fully in the school program when their asthma is well managed.
6. Encourage the student with asthma to participate fully in physical activities. Plan activities to allow for variations in stamina or tolerance for exercise, especially if the student is recovering from illness. Changes in weather conditions (hot, cold, breezy) and poor air quality (smoke, smog, pollen) often can aggravate asthma.

Early Signs Of An Asthma Episode

In asthma education programs, students are taught to identify early warning signs— the physical changes that occur in the early stage of airway obstruction. These early warning signs usually happen before more serious symptoms occur. They alert students that it is time to measure their peak flow and take medication according to their action plan. Each student’s early warning signs should be documented in the student’s asthma action plan available in the school health room or clinic. Teachers should be aware of each student’s early signs and symptoms and enable students with asthma to take the proper steps to prevent more serious asthma trouble.

Recognizing the early warning signs of an asthma episode can avoid a more serious medical emergency. There should be no delay once a student has notified the teacher of a possible problem. A student may have one or more of these symptoms during the initial phase of an asthma episode.

Use Of A Metered Dose