Asthma: What YOU Need to Know

Daily Physical Activity and Asthma Education in Ontario Schools

Provided by Ophea in partnership with

the Public Health School Asthma Pilot Project

Objectives

• To educate workshop participants with need to know information regarding daily physical activity (DPA) and asthma awareness;

• To inform Physical Health Promoters of Ophea’s Asthma Education Initiative and Public Health School Asthma Pilot Project resources

Agenda• Asthma Initiatives Overview• Asthma Review• School Policies• Students with Asthma• Planning and Implementing Physical

Activities• What you need to know about asthma and

physical activity• Q & A

Agenda

Initiative Overview

• Ophea’s (Ontario Physical and Health Education Association) Asthma Education Initiative is designed to increase the skills and knowledge of educators about asthma management and prevention in schools.

• Managed by Ophea Curriculum and School-Based Health Resource Centre in support of the Ontario Asthma Plan of Action, funded by the Government of Ontario.

Overview

Ophea Asthma Education Initiative – Communications and Public Education Approach:

RESOURCE/MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT

INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS

STRATEGY

INTEGRATION WITH OTHER RESOURCE

CENTRE FUNCTIONS, PRODUCTS AND

SERVICES

PARTNERSHIP BUILDING

Asthma Education Initiative

Initiative Overview

• Partners - Asthma Society, The Lung Association, Anaphylaxis Canada, Allergy/Asthma Information Association and the Public Health School Asthma Pilot Project.

• The Public Health School Asthma Pilot Project (PHSAPP) works with community agencies, school boards, and administrators to develop educational materials, activities, recommendations and guidelines related to asthma prevention and control in schools.

The Creating Asthma Friendly Schools Resource Kit is available online at www.asthmainschools.com

Asthma Review

• >15% of children in Ontario have asthma• Leading cause of hospitalizations in children

and school absenteeism• >50% have poor control of the disease• 80% of asthma deaths could be prevented

with proper education• Asthma and anaphylaxis commonly co-exists in children

• Inflammation of the airways -extra-sensitive or twitchy airways

Causes:• muscles around airways tighten

• lining of the airways becomes swollen

• mucous production increases

Asthma Is…

Asthma Review

Asthma Symptoms include..

• Wheezing• Coughing• Chest tightness• Shortness of breath• Difficulty breathing

Magic Minute

In the next 60 seconds, write down as many examples of asthma triggers as you can.

Your goal is to identify at least 5.Hint: A trigger is any thing or condition that causes inflammation

in the airways, which then leads to asthma symptoms.

Asthma Triggers

Asthma triggers are things that make people’s asthma worst. They can include things such as• Exercise• Cold Air• Dust Mites• Pets • Colds or flu• Mould

There are two types of asthma medication:

• CONTROLLERS: also referred to as “preventers”

• RELIEVERS: also referred to as “rescue” medication

Asthma Medication

• Controls asthma symptoms – Decreases and prevents swelling of the

airways– Can take days to weeks of regular use to work

effectively

• Usually given 2 times a day- in the morning and night time

• Various colours (orange, purple, brown, red)

Controllers

A rescue medication-usually blue in colour:

• Provides relief quickly, within minutes

• Relaxes the muscles of the airways

• Is taken only when needed or prior to exercise/activity if indicated

• Needs to be accessible at all times

Relievers

School Policies - DPA

Daily Physical Activity

– WHAT

– WHEN

– WHERE

– WHY

– WHO

School Policies - Asthma

• Many schools do not have asthma policies in place currently

• PHSAPP is focusing on Policy and Procedures development at School Board level

• Draft in Hamilton and Halton

Overview of Students with Asthma and Physical Activities

What is Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)?

• One of the most common triggers• Symptoms may occur during or after vigorous

physical activity• Common in cold environments and during high

pollen count days. • Use the “reliever” inhaler 10-15 minutes prior to

exercise if indicated by a physician.

Planning and Implementing Physical Activity

Pre-Activity

1. KNOW who has asthma

2. WARM UP gradually

3. USE RELIEVER 10-15 mins prior if prescribed

4. KNOW the SYMPTOMS

Pre-Activity continued…

5. ACCESS to medication EASY.

6. KNOW how to handle a situation and how to contact EMS

7. ENCOURAGE and support the student with asthma to participate as fully as possible in all school activities

Planning and Implementing Physical Activity

During Activity

1. DO NOT participate in activity if asthma symptoms present.

2. STOP if symptoms occur until he/she is fully recovered.

3. USE RELIEVER INHALER if necessary

4. REST until fully recovered before they begin participation again.

Planning and Implementing Physical Activity

5. If symptoms do not improve and student’s condition worsens…

This is an emergency situation:• Call 911, wait for the ambulance, DO NOT drive the student.

• Give the reliever inhaler immediately.

• Continue to give the reliever inhaler every few minutes until help arrives.

• Contact parents.

Planning and Implementing Physical Activity

Post Activity1. NOTE: EIA can occur following activity. Where possible, continue

to monitor the student

2. PRAISE for the student’s efforts.

3. MONITOR use of inhaler over time. Inform the parent if the student uses their reliever medication:

• More than 3 times a week for symptomatic relief (not counting pre-exercise medication used before physical activity.)

• During activity, even though they pre-medicated prior to physical activity.

• More than every 4 hours.

Planning and Implementing Physical Activity

A parent has sent a letter to you explaining that their child has exercise induced asthma and must take 2

puffs of their inhaler prior to any exercise. You have the student do this; however after ten minutes of

exercise, the student wants to take more.

What should you do?

Asthma Scenarios

What Educators Need to Know: Roles and Responsibilities

• Know who has asthma.

• Know the triggers

• Know who needs assistance.

• Know the emergency plan.

• Know and use preventive measures.

• Communicate with parents

• Encourage students to participate in activities to the best of their abilities.

• Encourage students to carry their own inhaler medication with them at all times.

• Provide opportunities for students to learn about asthma.

What Public Health Reps Need to Know

Advocate • for opportunities to learn about asthma.

• to have a school wide process in place and emergency plan for handling worsening asthma.

• for opportunities to identify and reduce common asthma triggers.

• access to information to help in creating asthma friendly schools.

• the expectation that children with asthma will participate in activities.

• how and use preventive measures to allow participation in

exercise and/or physical activity

and….Integrate Asthma Key Messages

into your PH resources!

Think, Pair, Share

• For one minute, THINK about how you can apply this knowledge to the work you do with schools/youth.

• Divide yourselves in PAIRS

• SHARE your ideas with a partner; do they have anything to add?

• Volunteers can share with the group

Public Health: Challenges and Successes Creating Asthma Friendly Schools

Question and Answer Period…

Asthma & Physical Activity

Advocacy Symptoms

Attack

Asthma & Exercise

through

are

are

byPrevention

Triggers

Caused by

Resources

• What Educators Need to

Know about Daily Physical

Activity and Asthma

• 4-15 copies of the folder, which include an

Asthma/DPA poster, were distributed to all

Ontario elementary schools (English and French) in January 2007.

Currently only available to schools/school boards

ResourcesOphea’s Asthma Ed. InitiativeVarious asthma resources specifically targeting the school community for download or FREE to order in Ontario

www.Ophea.net/asthma

The Lung Associationwww.on.lung.ca

The Lung Association also provides a FREE asthma information telephone helpline where you can obtain advice and general information from a Certified Asthma Educator, through Ontario’s Asthma Action Helpline. Call 1-800-668-7682 you can also e-mail a Certified Asthma Educator at info@on.lung.ca.

Public Health School Asthma Pilot ProjectCreating Asthma Friendly Schools

www.asthmainschools.com

The Asthma SocietyOffers virtual support groups on their website. www.asthma.ca/adults/community

Allergy/Asthma Information Associationwww.aaia.ca

Anaphylaxis Canadawww.anaphylaxis.org

Evaluation and Thank You

Please take a minute

to complete the evaluation.

Any additional questions, please contact

Mélanie Guertin, Ophea’s Asthma Education Initiative Projects Leader * melanie@ophea.org

OR

Elizabeth Conti, Public Health School Asthma Project Coordinator * lconti@hamilton.ca