Asthma
Asthma affects nearly five million children in the United States and is the most common serious chronic disease of childhood. Symptoms of asthma include coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing. Asthma may be triggered by allergens such as dust mites and animal dander. Certain environmental conditions can also trigger an asthma attack, such as cold and dry air, wind, pollution, wood smoke, tobacco smoke, or high airborne pollen.
Proper control and management of asthma means no coughing; no difficulty breathing, wheezing or chest-tightness; being able to participate in normal activities including playing, sports and exercise; no emergency room visits; and no missed work for the parent or caregiver! This may be accomplished by reducing environmental triggers, promoting a healthy lifestyle, including proper rest, diet, exercise, and medication use. Devices and medications that may be prescribed include a peak flow meter to measure expired air volume, metered dose inhalers, spacers that attach to inhalers, nebulizers, dry powder inhalers, or oral medications.
If your child is diagnosed with asthma, please contact the school nurse so that a care plan might be written for your child and shared with the teacher and office staff. This team effort will help create a safe and healthy environment for your child.
For more information, you may want to visit the following sites:
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
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