Health Office
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Asthma
is a lung disease in which the breathing tubes become blocked or narrow often
causing chest tightness and making it difficult to breathe. The breathing tubes also become inflamed and
swollen which makes it harder to breathe.
These symptoms are reversible and preventable.
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Asthma Triggers |
Asthma
is a lung disease in which the breathing tubes become blocked or narrow often
causing chest tightness and making it difficult to breathe. The breathing tubes also become inflamed and
swollen which makes it harder to breathe.
These symptoms are reversible and preventable. |
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Early Warning Signs of
Asthma |
Changes
in breathing, increased coughing, wheezing, breathing through the mouth,
unable to talk easily, complaining of shortness of breath, chest tightness,
even tiredness may be signs that the asthma is out of control and a crisis or
emergency situation is near. |
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Exercise and Asthma |
Exercise,
vigorous sports or play may be the only trigger for an asthma attack for some
children. Children may cough, wheeze,
become short of breath, experience chest pain or tightness, or have little to
no endurance within a few minutes of activity. The attack usually reaches its peak about 5
to 10 minutes after the child stops exercising and continues for another 20
to 30 minutes after exercise. In
addition to good medical management, children with exercise-induced asthma
always benefit from a lengthy warm-up period before exercise. Teachers and coaches need to know that a
child has exercise as a trigger for their asthma and that they may need
inhaled medication before activity. |
This information was
taken from the American Respiratory Alliance of Western Pennsylvania. For more information visit their web-site www.healthylungs.org
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Tips to help your children maintain a healthy body weight |
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Be
supportive. Children know if they are overweight
and don’t need to be reminded or singled out.
They need acceptance, encouragement and love.
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Set guidelines
for the amount of time your children can spend watching television or playing
video games.
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Plan family
activities that involve exercise. Instead of watching TV, go hiking or biking,
wash the car, or walk around a mall.
Offer choices and let your children decide.
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Be
sensitive. Find activities your children
will enjoy that aren’t difficult or could cause embarrassment.
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Eat meals
together as a family and eat at the table, not in front of a television. Eat slowly and enjoy the food.
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Don’t use food as
a reward or punishment. Children should
not be placed on restrictive diets, unless done so by a doctor (for medical
reasons). Children need food for growth,
development and energy.
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Involve your
children in meal planning and grocery shopping.
This helps them learn and gives them a role in the decision making.
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Keep healthy
snacks on hand. Good options include
fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables; low-fat cheese, yogurt or ice
cream; frozen fruit juice bars; and cookies such as fig bars, graham crackers,
gingersnaps or vanilla wafers.
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Focus on small,
gradual changes in eating and activity patterns. This helps form habits that can last a
lifetime.
You can obtain more information
regarding health and nutrition education at the following websites:
1. www.nih.gov
National
Institutes of Health
3. www.healthykidschallenge.com
The Healthy
Kids Challenge
Center for Disease Control and
5. www.usda.gov
The
American Cancer Society recommends the following
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Wear
protective clothing when out in the sun. The sun’s
rays are the strongest between the hours of 10am and 4pm. It is important to have your child’s skin
protected by applying a sunscreen |
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Wear
a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Reapply sunscreen after swimming, sweating or towel drying. Important: Protect children younger than 6 months of
age with clothing and keep them in the shade. |
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Wear a hat that shades your
face, neck, and ears. |
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Plan activities to avoid the
midday sun |
For more information on
Prevention Early Detection information from the American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org