Asthma Basics for Schools

Part 1 - Overview
Developed by the National Asthma Education
and Prevention Program (NAEPP)
Asthma Basics for Schools
Presentation Overview

The problem of asthma among school-age

youth

auses! signs " symptoms

#mpact on learning

Asthma triggers

ontrol of Asthma

$o% asthma-friendly is your school&

$o% to handle an asthma episode

Asthma is a serious Health Problem

' million school-aged children have

asthma

(tudents miss almost )* million school

days each year due to asthma

Asthma is the *rd-ran+ing cause of

hospitali,ation among children under
)'
are likely to have asthma.
.
On average, chil!ren in a classroom of "
#hat is Asthma$
A condition that-

is chronic

produces recurring episodes

of breathing problems

is potentially life-threatening

can occur at any age

is not contagious

cannot be cured! but can be

controlled
#hat are the Sym%toms of
Asthma$

(hortness of breath

.hee,ing

Tightness in the chest

oughing

.a+ing at night %ith

any of the above
symptoms/
* a key marker of uncontrolled asthma
How &oes Asthma that is not #ell-
'ontrolle! (m%act Stu!ent )earning$

0atigue 1 students up at night

%ith coughing! %hee,ing and
other symptoms are tired in the
morning

Absenteeism related to asthma

episodes! health care
appointments! and
hospitalisations

2issed class time due to

fre3uent school health office
visits
#hat Ha%%ens &uring an *%iso!e
of Asthma$

The lining of the

air%ays become
narro% and easily
irritated due to
inflammation

The air%ays produce

a thic+ mucus

The muscles around

the air%ays tighten
and ma+e air%ays
narro%er
#hat 'an +ake Asthma #orse$

E4ercise
hanges in
%eather and
temperature

#nfections in the
upper air%ays! such
as colds
Physical e4pressions
of strong feelings
(crying or laughing
hard! yelling)
Not all factors affect all people5 #t6s important to identify
%hat affects a particular student6s asthma5
#hat 'an +ake Asthma #orse$
Allergens such as,

0urred and
feathered
animals

Dust mites

oc+roaches

Pollens
from grass and
trees
2olds (indoors
and outdoors)
#hat 'an +ake Asthma #orse$
(rritants such as,

Environmental
tobacco smo+e

(cented
products
(trong fumes or
odors
7utdoor air
pollution
(s -here A 'ure .or Asthma$
Asthma cannot be cured! but it can be controlled5
2ost young people
%ith asthma should
be able to live
healthy! active
lives %ith minimal
symptoms5
#hat Shoul! +ost Peo%le with
Asthma Be Able -o &o$

8e active %ithout having asthma

symptoms9 this includes
participating in physical activity
and sports

(leep through the night %ithout

having asthma symptoms

Prevent asthma episodes

$ave the best possible lung

function (e5g5! good pea+ flo%
number)
How (s Asthma 'ontrolle!$

0ollo% an individualised!
%ritten asthma health plan

:educe or eliminate e4posure

to things that can cause
asthma symptoms

Encourage and support use of

medication as prescribed
- ;uic+-relief medicine for all
students %ith asthma
- <ong-term control medicine for
students %ith persistent
asthma
How (s Asthma 'ontrolle!$

2onitor response to treatment

and level of asthma control

Encourage regular follo%-up

care

Ensure good communication

among school! the student6s
doctor! and home
How asthma-frien!ly
is your school$
)5 Do all students %ith asthma have
%ritten asthma health plans at
school&
/5 2ay students carry their
o%n asthma medicines&
*5 Does someone teach school staff
and all students about asthma&
How to Han!le an Asthma *%iso!e
)5 ;uic+ly evaluate the situation5
all === if severe and contact
parent>guardian5
?5 Encourage student to use
3uic+-relief medicine if s>he
self-carries or it is +ept in the
medical room5
*5 #f medicine is not available!
call for assistance! preferably
from a first aider5
'onclusion
-he school an!
family can %or+
together to help
children better
manage their
asthma5
Please chec+
medication is in
date and you +no%
%here it is +ept5