Asthma     

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition. Chronic airway inflammation predisposes the person to episodes of airway obstruction or 'asthma attack' from various triggers such as cigarette smoke, respiratory infections and exercise. Asthma is the most common chronic disorder of childhood. In 2006 an estimated 6.8 million children were diagnosed; of these 4.1 million suffered an asthma attack. The incidence of asthma increases with age. Uncontrolled asthma can result in serious illness and death, and it also results in increased rates of absenteeism. One CDC statistic from 2004 puts the rate of student absenteeism from asthma-related complications at 25%. The American Lung Association of Washington has a website devoted to sharing current information on subjects like influenza, air quality, tobacco use prevention materials geared toward children, and home air quality. They even offer a free healthy home assessment! Breatherville.org is the website of the Allergy and Asthma Network-Mothers of Asthmatics. This website provides comprehensive, kid-friendly information to support and educate families and children dealing with asthma. Links to information about medications, delivery systems such as nebulizers, food allergies and an "Ask a Nurse" feature are all in one place. If you are looking for materials to help you educate friends and family about your child's asthma, you'll find them here. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is an organization for patients with asthma and allergies providing education and support.

    Healthy People 2010, a project of the US Department of Health and Human Services identified eight objectives related to the reduction in mortality and morbidity of asthma. These objectives are related to the reduction of asthma deaths, hospitalizations, emergency room visits, activity limitations, absenteeism, increased education and access to proper medical care, including the reduction of rescue inhaler use. Reduction in rescue inhaler dependence reflects better overall control of asthma on a daily basis. Visit Healthy People 2010: Chapter 24-Respiratory Diseases for more information.

  The coordinated effort of school staff, parents, students and health care providers results in better management of asthma, both from a maintenance perspective and for dealing with an acute exacerbation resulting in the use of a rescue inhaler and/or a 911 call for emergency support. Washington state public school nurses are a critical link between families and healthcare professionals when it comes to planning a safe school environment for any child with a health condition. Your school nurse will collect relevant information concerning your child's asthma, including length of time as an asthmatic, medications currently used-both maintenance and short-term relief, asthma attack triggers, times hospitalized in the last year, peak flow meter use, etc. If appropriate, an emergency care plan will be prepared to assist school staff in taking the correct steps to help your child through an asthma episode during the school day. Most schools in Issaquah have a nebulizer available in the Health Room if you and your health care provider decide this delivery system is best for short-term relief medications. Families must provide a set of tubing and mouthpiece and/or mask for their child.