Lets Talk About Asthma Teen Manual.Pdf
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Let’s Talk about Asthma! starring the AirBuds Name:___________ We want to tell you about ASTHMA and Hi there! what you can do to We’re the AirBuds. TAKE CONTROL! We’re part of your lungs. Are you ready? An Asthma Self-Management Guide for Teens Developed BY people with asthma FOR people with asthma Jennifer Mammen, MSN FNP & Hyekyun Rhee, PNP PhD University of Rochester School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center Illustrated by Jennifer Mammen & T. Mark Bartley ______________ CONTENTS Round 1 So what’s it to me? page 1 Pathology and Prevention of Asthma Round 2 Better watch it! page 8 Monitoring of Asthma Symptoms Round 3 Hey, stop it! page 16 Management of Asthma Symptoms Round 4 Let’s Talk about Asthma! page 25 Communication and Social Issues Let’s Talk About Asthma © Copyright 2012, Jennifer R. Mammen and Hyekyun Rhee, University of Rochester School of Nursing Some rights reserved. All content, including printed and electronic materials, may be freely copied, reproduced, shared, and distributed for all non-profit purposes. Modification of content and for profit distribution and sharing is not permitted without written permission from the authors. If using any portion of these materials, the following citation should be included: Mammen, JR & Rhee, H. (2012) Let’s Talk About Asthma. University of Rochester School of Nursing. Round 1: So what’s it to me? Pathophysiology and Prevention of Asthma In this section we’re going to talk about what asthma is, what causes it, and how to prevent it! first, let’s talk about NORMAL BREATHING. During normal breathing, AIR: moves into your nose and mouth, down into the airways, through the bronchi (the big tubes), into the bronchioles (the smaller tubes) then into the tiny alveoli (the little air sacs at the end). Your blood collects the oxygen from the alveoli, then moves it around to the rest of your body in red blood cells (kind of like a taxi ride). ASTHMA. People who have asthma have sensitive lungs. Something irritates your lungs (we don’t always know what). swollen alveoli and That causes SWELLING (inflammation) in your lungs. clogged airways cross section of airway NORMAL ⟿ INFLAMMED ⟿ AWFUL!! THIS is what happens during asthma. The airway tubes get swollen (inflammation) and make more mucus. That makes it harder to get air in and out. You start out breathing through a nice big SNORKEL and end up trying to breath through a tiny STRAW! page 1 The swelling makes your lungs go crazy. Think about it—when you get irritated, what do you want to do? FREAK OUT! Gasp! That’s what your lungs do. Irritation makes the muscles surrounding the lungs crazy and “hyper-responsive.” The muscles SQUEEZE tight around your airways so it’s harder to get air in and out (Broncho-SPASMS). This causes you to cough and make wheezing noises. NEXT, your lungs turn into mucus making factories, and block up your airway with goo. So now your airway is smaller and OBSTRUCTED with mucus! The tale of doom continues….the more you Hack! cough, the more you irritate your lungs, the more they swell, the more they spasm, and the more mucus they make. ARGH!!! This weakens your lungs. When your lungs are weak, you get sick more. Let’s STOP and SUMMARIZE: ! ! ! ! Uncontrolled Asthma causes: uncontrolled Swelling (airways swell up) asthma makes Obstruction (more mucus, smaller spaces) your lungs Spasms (constriction/ bronchospasm) weaker SOS! page 2 ASTHMA TRIGGERS Triggers are ANYTHING that causes asthma symptoms. People with asthma have sensitive lungs, and some things bother us that don’t bother other people—they can cause asthma symptoms! What are signs that something is triggering your asthma? PRE-ASTHMA SYMPTOMS ASTHMA SYMPTOMS ALOT of itchy eyes coughing things can sneezing chest tightness trigger asthma tickle in throat wheezing symptoms! getting sick short of breath YEAH! Look at this. chemicals pests + pets Chemicals Pests: Roaches, Rats, Mice Personal Pets: fur / feathers Care Products consumables Home Cleaners Did you Food know cockroach poop is a HUGE Medicine problem for people exposures with asthma? WHAT’S Cockroaches poop a Cold weather YOUR lot, and when the events poop gets stirred up, Fumes, Exhaust TRIGGER? Exercising/ it floats around in the air. THEN, you Sports Cigarette smoke breath it into your Laughing lungs. YUCK! Next Mold thing you have Stress symptoms! Pollens Catching a cold Dust The best way to treat asthma is to prevent it! THAT means knowing what your triggers are, so you can avoid them. page 3 A lot of people with cat allergies think CAREFUL with the asthma TRIGGERS!!! they’re allergic to dog What can you do about it? and cat hair--actually it’s the dead flaky cells pets (fur and feathers):__________________________from the skin (called Avoid pets that trigger your asthma dander) that cause Keep pets out of your bedroom and keep your bedroom door closed. the real problem. Don’t use feather pillows or feather comforters. Use polyester pillows instead and cover them with allergy (dust-mite proof) covers. Ask friends if they have pets you are allergic to BEFORE visiting them. Not pets (Roaches, Bugs, Rats, Mice):__________________________ Keep food and garbage in closed containers. Empty the trash every day. Keep food out of your bedroom. Seal cracks in walls and cabinets. Tell your parents if you notice bugs or rats/mice so they can arrange to exterminate them. Use mouse traps or cockroach gels to kill pests. Pesticide sprays can bother your asthma—try using other options for extermination. Medicine:__________________________ Avoid medicine you are allergic to. Ask your parents or healthcare provider if you are not sure. Food:__________________________ Avoid foods you are allergic to — these can cause you to have asthma symptoms. People with asthma may be sensitive to foods/medicines that contain sulfites (ex. dried fruit, shrimp). Avoid strong odors and smoke from cooking foods. Exercising and Sports:__________________________ Always warm up 5-10 minutes before exercising. Use a quick relief inhaler 15 minutes before exercising, as directed by your provider. Tell coaches and teachers that you have asthma, and when you are having symptoms. If you have asthma symptoms during exercising stop the activity and rest. Use your inhaler as prescribed. Dust:__________________________ Keep your bedroom dust-free. Use washable curtains or window shades. Wash curtains monthly and damp wipe shades weekly. Cover pillows and mattress/bedsprings with allergy (dust-mite proof) covers. Don’t use a bed cover or comforter as a blanket—remove it before you sleep. Getting a COLD Wash pillowcases, sheets, and blankets on your bed in hot water weekly. can make your asthma Keep humidity less than 60% in your home. worse. AND, it takes a Keep stuffed animals off your bed and out of the bedroom. lot longer for all the Vacuum once or twice a week throughout your home. symptoms (like HEPA filtered vacuums are best. Forced air furnace filters should be changed at least every 3 months. coughing) to go away Keep clutter to a minimum—especially in your bedroom. Keep dust collecting items in closed containers or in drawers. Avoid sweeping floors. Use a vacuum instead or damp mop. Dust with a damp clean cloth. Avoid construction areas and remodeling areas due to dust exposure. page 4 Personal Care Products:__________________________ Avoid perfume, cologne, and scented personal care products. Use unscented options. Alert family, teachers, and friends if you are sensitive to the perfume/cologne they are using. Avoid talcum powders, aerosol hair spray, and spray deodorants. Avoid using jewelry cleaner and nail polish remover due to strong odors. Home Cleaners and Products:__________________________ Avoid using room fresheners/deodorizers, room sprays, or incense. Avoid using strong smelling cleaners like ammonia and chlorine bleach. Use unscented laundry detergents and avoid using dryer sheets. Use a damp clean cloth to dust - avoid using dusting sprays. Chemicals:__________________________ Avoid chemicals with strong odors, like those found in new clothes, cleaning products, fertilizers, paints, glues, varnishes, and new carpets. Wash new clothing before wearing because many are chemically treated. Avoid exposure to lawn fertilizers/chemicals, pesticides, and household chemicals. Be aware of chemicals used in school science rooms especially in dissection classes. Things at School:__________________________ Tell your teachers that you have asthma so you can work together to avoid things that trigger your symptoms at school. Also talk to your school nurses, science teachers, gym teachers, coaches, bus drivers, and cafeteria staff. It may be helpful to write a letter describing your asthma triggers and symptoms to give to school staff at the beginning of the school year. Mold:__________________________ Avoid raking leaves. Avoid moldy books and damp areas. Don’t let people smoke Fix leaky faucets, plumbing, and leaking roof areas. around you. A dehumidifier can dry out damp basements. Throw out spoiled foods and keep refrigerator clean. Second hand smoke is Frequently clean the drip pan under the refrigerator to remove mold. Dry tub and shower areas after using them to decrease mold. one of the biggest Remove carpets from damp areas like the bathroom and basement. asthma triggers. Use a fan in your bathroom if available to prevent mold from growing. Pollens:__________________________ Shower and wash hair at night before bed to remove pollens. Pollen counts may be highest during the middle of the day and the afternoon. If you are allergic to pollens your healthcare provider may recommend allergy shots. Weather:__________________________ Cover your mouth and nose with a scarf in cold weather to help warm up the air you are breathing. Cold air can trigger asthma symptoms.