Taking Control
of Asthma
I
magine trying to breathe through a straw. That’s how breathing
can sometimes feel for people who have asthma—a chronic lung
disease that causes the airways inside your lungs to narrow,
making it dif cult to breathe. But people with asthma can lead
normal, active lives. The key to doing so is learning how to manage
the disease.
SYMPTOMS
Common asthma symptoms include:
Coughing (especially at night)
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Shortness of breath
Getting tired or out of breath easily
If you suspect your child has asthma, see a doctor. Over time,
chronic mild in ammation can lead to permanent scarring of airways
and loss of lung function.
According to George DaLuz, manager of respiratory therapy at
ValleyCare, early detection is most important. “Regular use of a peak
ow meter that measures expiratory ows, and tracking those numbers
so that a parent knows when their child is falling below their predicted
values, is invaluable information. Parents also need to watch for other
signs and symptoms such as accessory muscle use, which consists of
pronounced rib cage expansion during inhalation, especially when
accompanied by persistent coughing and fatigue. It’s also important
for parents to understand their child’s triggers, such as seasonal
allergies, and to take preventive steps to avoid an asthma are-up.”
ASTHMA TRIGGERS
A number of things—known as triggers—can bring about asthma or
make it worse. By understanding what triggers your child’s asthma,
you can help keep his or her asthma under control.
Common triggers include:
Allergens, such as dust mites, animal dander, mold, and pollens
from trees, grasses and owers
Cigarette smoke, air pollution and certain chemicals
Car exhaust and smog
Smoke from replaces and incense
Certain household cleaners, such as ammonia or bleach
Respiratory infections
Food additives (such as sul tes)
Weather changes
Strong odors from air fresheners, perfumes, insect sprays,
mothballs and deodorants
Physical activity
Stress and worry
Fall 2014
SERV ING THE TR I VALLEY AND SURROUNDING COMMUNI T I ES WI TH MEDI CAL FAC I L I T I ES IN L I VERMORE, PLEASANTON AND DUBL IN
I N S I D E
2
KeepThings in Proportion
Why supersizing your meals is not a
good option.
3
Your Breasts’Best Friend
Whenwas your last mammogram?
Don’t delay—schedule one now.
4
Run forYour Life!
The proper technique can boost your
health bene ts dramatically.
Health
Ways
Everyone with asthma needs an asthma
action plan.
DennisNielson,MD, pediatric pulmonologist
at ValleyCare’s UCSF Pediatric Specialty Clinic,
says that having a written plan is key. “Studies
have shown that making sure parents and
kids fully understand the use of medications
and how to control asthma by writing it down
in a plan results in better outcomes for the kids.
In addition, parents should ask about having
a routine spirometry for their child,” he says.
“This specific lung function test has become a
quality benchmark for asthma management.”
An action plan allows you to knowwhen
your child is in the
GREEN
zone—when he or
she is doingwell with themedications, avoiding
triggers and when their peak flowmeter
levels are good. It also lets you knowwhen
your child is in the
YELLOW
zone—when
their asthma is getting worse. Or the
RED
zone, when it’s time to call 911.
The U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, National Institutes of
Health offers a form that you can download.
Go to
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/
lung/asthma/asthma_actplan.pdf
.
1. Find theTriggers
The first step is to identify your child’s
asthma triggers. These are irritants and
allergens that cause asthma symptoms. (See
“Taking Control of Asthma.”)
2. KeepSymptoms inCheck
The next step is to make sure your child
faithfully takes the medicines that help
control asthma symptoms.
Your doctor alsomay recommend that your
child use a peak flowmeter.When your child
blows into the device, it displays a number
that shows howwell his or her lungs are
working. Your doctor will help you determine
your child’s personal best peak flow number.
When your child’s peak flowmeter shows this
number, his or her asthma is under control.
3. Prepare for Emergencies
You’ll also need to know what to do if your
child has a serious asthma attack. You should
call your child’s doctor if:
Asthma medicines don’t provide relief
Your child’s peak flow number is less than
half of his or her personal best
And you should call 911 if:
Your child has trouble walking or talking
because he or she is out of breath
Your child’s lips or fingernails are blue
4. Checkwith theExperts
Take your child to the doctor regularly to
make sure your son’s or daughter’s asthma
plan is working well. You should also file
your child’s asthma action plan at his or her
school.
According to Martha Richards, RN, pulmonary nurse coordinator
of the UCSF Pediatric Specialty Clinic at ValleyCare, one of the
most common triggers for children is viral respiratory infection.
“Many children are not very allergic, but they start wheezing when
they get a cold,” she says. “This means good hand-washing is really
important, especially in the classroom. Parents can encourage their
kids to use hand sanitizers, and teachers can teach the students to
cough into their elbow, not their hand. It’s also essential that children
with asthma get a u shot because the nasal spray u vaccine can
cause an asthma are.”
People with asthma are also commonly allergic to
dust mites
.
To
control dust mite-related asthma attacks:
Cover your child’s mattress and pillow with a dustproof cover
Don’t let your child lie on cloth cushions or furniture
Wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water
Another common trigger is
animal dander
. Do your best to keep
pets with fur or feathers out of your home. If you have pets:
Keep pets out of bedrooms and keep bedroom doors closed
Cover air vents in your home with heavy material to lter the air
Avoid carpets and cloth-covered furniture in your home
ASTHMA AND EXERCISE
If your child loves sports, you can help your son or daughter enjoy
them safely. Being active actually helps with asthma by making your
child’s lungs healthier and increasing energy. Your doctor can help
you understand what is safe for your child. Ask your doctor:
Should my child use an inhaler before exercise?
How long should my son or daughter engage in activity?
How will my child know when to slow down or rest?
Should I let him or her exercise with a cold?
Talk to your child’s PE teacher or coach and set up an asthma
signal your child can use when he or she needs to slow down or take
a rest.
TREATING ASTHMA
A peak owmeter
measures how fast you can push air out of your
lungs. This tells you if your airways are open and how much. It also
helps determine how well the asthma is being controlled. Measure your
child’s peak ow every morning before they take their medication. It
should also be used when they are having symptoms or an attack and
after medication is taken for an attack. Ask your child’s doctor to show
you exactly how and how often to use the peak ow meter.
Several different kinds of
medicines
are used to treat people with
asthma. Some people use inhalers, while others take medicine in a pill
form. Some people use both.
Make an Asthma
Action Plan
—Continued on page 4
