Common Symptoms of an Asthma Attack Coughing. Shortness of breath. Wheezing. Chest tightness. In the event of an asthma attack.... Stay calm. Don't leave the child alone. Remove asthma triggers or move the child away from any triggers. Have the child sit or stand in a comfortable position. Do NOT allow her to lie down. If a child's Asthma Action Plan is available, begin following it immediately. Have the child use her quick relief medi- cine. Call the parent/guardian or healthcare pro- vider if symptoms persist. Signs of Severe Asthma - CALL 911 if the child shows any ONE of the severe signs of asthma. Worsening of symptoms after use of quick -relief medication. Difficulty walking or talking hunched over. Retractions (sucking in of skin at ribs and neck). Pale, blue, or gray complexion around lips and fingernails. Other Resources For more information on... Asthma and Environmental Triggers visit www. epa. gov/ asthma Air Pollution Levels visit airnow.gov Asdima Action Plan visit www. cdc .go v/ asthm a / actionplan. html Asthma Medications visit www. 1 ungusa. org /1 ung- disease/asthma /living-with-asthma/makin g- treatment-decisions/ astkma-medicines.html Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics visit Avww.aanma.org Sources: A.D.A.M. www. adamimages. com / Illustration / SearchR esult/1 / Asthma Asthma Society of Canada wAvw.astlama.ca/adults/community/aas_teac hers.php Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/asthma/default.htm Minnesota Department of Health Coach' s Asthma Clipboard www. health. state .mo. us/ asthm a / coachclipbo ard.htm Respiratory Health Association of Metropoli- tan Chicago www. lungchicago. org/asthma-management Monica Paguia Asthma Program Coordinator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Phone: 312-353-1166 E-mail: paguia.monica@epa.gov girl scouts of greater chicago and northwest Indiana What Every Girl Scout Troop Leader Should Know About Asthma AEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency ------- What Every Girl Scout Troop Leader Should Know About Asthma What is Asthma? Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening res- piratory disease where the lungs' airways (bronchioles) become inflamed and produce mucus, while the muscles around the airways constrict mak- ing it difficult to breathe. sAdam STATISTICS Asthma affects the quality of life for almost 25 million Americans, including an estimated 7 million children. Asthma is one of the most common serious chronic diseases of childhood. Asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitaliza- tion among children under IS. An average of one out of every 10 school-aged children has asthma. Asthma causes 10.5 million missed school days each year. Although there is no cure for asthma yet, asthma can be controlled through medical treatment and man- agement of environmental triggers. TRIGGERS Children with asthma have attacks intermittently in response to various triggers. Each child is different, and most children with asthma know what their triggers are. Identify the triggers that affect those with astlima in your troop. Allergens Dust mites found in carpeting, upholstery, pil- lows, stuffed toys. Animal dander from warm-blooded animals with fur or feathers. Pollen from trees, plants and grasses (freshly cut grass too). Roach and rodent droppings. Mold. Irritants Environmental tobacco smoke from cigarettes, cigars, pipes. Air pollution like ozone and particulate matter. Strong odors from chemical sprays, perfumes, cleaning products, air fresheners, and other fumes. Other Weather conditions like extreme cold, humid- ity, or a rapid change in conditions (cold to hot, hot to cold). Exerciseif properly controlled the child should be able to fully participate in the activity. Upper respiratory infections like the flu or colds. Emotional reactions like laughing, crying, and stress, Certain foods and medicines. MEDICATIONS Long-term medications treat the main prob- lem of astlima, airway inflammation. These medications are taken at least once daily and help prevent attacks from happening long term. They are taken even when no signs or symptoms are apparent. Quick-relief medications relax the muscles around the airways; they do not treat inflam- mation. These medications provide quick, temporary relief and their effects can last up to four hours. When they wear off, the muscle tightening can return. BE PROACTIVE Identify the children with asthma in your troop. Approach this with sensitivity. Feel- ings of social stigma or embarrassment due to the disease are commonly experienced by many asthma sufferers. Talk with the parent and child to learn about the child's asthma triggers and symptoms. Request a copy of the child's Asthma Action Plan. » If possible, avoid known triggers. Ensure that the child has convenient access to her asthma medications at all times. Enable the child to carry and administer her own medications if the parent/guarchan and healthcare provider so advise. MORE TIPS Never allow the children to share their asthma medication. Take the child's asthma triggers seriously. Encourage children with asthma that do not have an Asthma Action Plan to consult their health care provider to create one. Do not overprotect or isolate the child with asthma. Normal bronchiole Asthmatic bronchiole ------- |