1. Asthma
Milestone #1
Deborah Salomon
EEC 4731

2. What is Asthma?
• Acute respiratory disorder
• Chronic disease that affects the airways
• Form of allergic response
• Can be inherited and worsens if no treatment is given
• Inside walls of airways usually become swollen, and
may be sore

3. • Asthma is increasing at a fast rate. Some of
the factors that have been found to be
affecting this are:
– Indoor environments
– Early infant feeding practices
• Encouraged to breast feed
• Hold off solid food until children reach 6 months
– Sanitation standards
– Increased air pollution
“About one in 12 people in the United States now has asthma, a total of 24.6 million
people and an increase of 4.3 million since 2001” (Maugh II)

4. Triggers
• Airborne Allergens
• Foods
• Second hand cigarette
smoke
• Respiratory infections
• Stress
• Change in
temperature
• Vigorous exercise

5. Symptoms Emergency Symptoms
• Wheezing •Bluish color on lips or
face
• Coughing
•Decreased level of
• Difficulty breathing alertness
• Chest tightness •Extreme difficulty
breathing
• Abnormal •Rapid pulse
breathing pattern •Severe anxiety
•Sweaty
•Chest pain

6. Treatment
• Medications
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Bronchodilators
• Inhaler
• Aerosol breathing treatment

7. In the Classroom
• Teachers should have a meeting with parents to be informed of child’s asthma
history. Including:
– Common triggers
– Symptoms and signs
– Medication needed
• Identify substances that may cause flare ups, and remove them from classroom.
• Keep classroom clean
– Frequent dusting and vacuuming
– Changing air filters frequently
• If weather affects a child's’ asthma one should be aware and take precautions.

8. Bibliography
• Marotz, Lynn R. “Chapter 5: Conditions Affecting Children’s
Health.” Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child.
7th Ed. 2009. Print.
• Maugh II, Thomas. (2011, May 03). Asthma rates increasing
in U.S., despite less smoking and decreased air pollution.
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/03/news/la-heb-
asthma-rates-increasing-05032011
• MedlinePlus. (2011, Sept. 7) Asthma.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthma.html
• PubMed Health. (2011, May 1) Asthma.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001196
/#adam_000141.disease.symptoms