The weather is cold and dry and it's flu season - that means it's asthma season. Asthma is a condition that affects the bronchial or breathing tubes. About one in ten Washington children suffer from asthma, which is the #1 cause of school absences.

An asthma attack occurs when the size of the breathing tubes narrow - making it hard to move air in and out of the lungs. Airways become narrow when muscles of the airways tighten, airway linings swell up and excess mucous is produced that clog the airways.

Symptoms of asthma include coughing - especially at night, wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing out), shortness of breath and chest tightness, pain, or pressure. Asthma symptoms interfere with sleep and keep sufferers gasping for breath with exertion. New treatment guidelines from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology are aimed at eliminating ALL asthma symptoms by reducing exposure to asthma triggers, detecting worsening symptoms early and frequent adjustments to an individualized asthma care plan that uses medications to reduce symptoms.

Triggers that can bring on an asthma attack include infection, pollens, mold spores, pet dander, dust mites, strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions, air pollution, smoke, exertion, cold, damp air, and strong emotions such as anxiety, laughter or crying and stress. Keeping the bedroom, where children spend the biggest part of their day, free of triggers can help a lot to reduce symptoms.

Students with asthma can measure the "tightness" of their lungs and detect worsening symptoms before they become severe with a simple tool called a Peak Flow Meter, which they can get from their doctor. Measuring your peak flow when you are feeling well gives you an idea of your "personal best" air flow. Measuring your peak flow regularly can help you predict when your asthma is getting worse and allow treatment before they become more serious.

Treatment for asthma includes a combination of medications that open the airways by relaxing the muscles of the breathing tubes (bronchodilators) and preventing the inflammation of the airway's lining (anti-inflammatory medications). If exercise makes your asthma worse, your doctor may have you use your inhaler before you exercise to prevent symptoms. Tools are available for students who have difficulty using the inhaler properly.

If your student uses an inhaler or has been hospitalized for their asthma, it's important for us to have information on file so we can best help them if they have difficulty. Students who carry their rescue inhaler at school must have paperwork on file in the office, and are now required by state law to review the proper use of their inhaler with the school nurse. Studies have shown that over 90% of elementary aged students didn't receive the full effect of their inhaler because they use it the wrong way. If you have questions about managing asthma at school, please contact me.
If your child has asthma symptoms more than two times a week or two nights a month, they could have better control and reduce future damage to their lungs. Use the American Lung Association's "Asthma Control Test" at www.asthmacontrol.com to determine if your child's symptoms can be improved. For more information, type "Asthma" in the search window of the following web sites:

http://www.intelihealth.com
http://www.aaaai.org/
http://my.webmd.com/
http://www.aafa.org/
http://www.aanma.org/

Your student can learn more about their asthma by clicking on "Asthma Wizard" at http://asthma.nationaljewish.org/.

Katie Johnson, RN, BSN,
JohnsonKA@edmonds.wednet.edu
School Nurse for Madrona, Westgate and Oak Heights
425-670-7311 x 1074