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What to
do when asthma gets out of control
[Click
on the asterisk next to shaded terms for definitions.]
Sometimes asthma< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/asthma.htm','termasthma','scrollbars=yes,width=400,height=300')">
symptoms can get out of control and may become life-threatening.
This situation is commonly called an asthma attack< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/asthmaepisode.htm','termepisode','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">,
or more accurately, an asthma episode< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/asthmaepisode.htm','termepisode','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">.
Normally, asthma episodes do not occur without warning signs.
Out
of control symptoms require immediate attention. Asthma can quickly
become a life-threatening situation requiring immediate action.
School personnel must know
how to handle an asthma episode. Every school should have an asthma
management plan< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/asthmamanagement.htm','termasthmamanagement','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">,
which is understood by everyone on staff. This plan outlines what
steps should be taken to handle an asthma medical emergency.
Additionally, every child with
asthma needs to have an asthma action plan< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/asthmaactionplan.htm','termactionplan','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">
on file with the school nurse or school office. A student's asthma
action plan provides details about his or her specific treatment prescribed
by their physician and what to do when symptoms flare up at school.
Children who experience periodic
asthma episodes probably are aware of their own warning signs. These
students should be encouraged to ask for help when they experience any
of those warning signs.
Teachers should review the
asthma action plan for each student in their classroom when school starts.
Without an individual asthma action plan, school personnel will not know
what steps to take to handle out of control asthma symptoms.
An asthma episode is often
signaled by an increase in asthma symptoms. You may see:
- increased breath rate
- lots of wheezing< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/wheeze.htm','termwheeze','scrollbars=yes,width=400,height=300')">
or breathing that sounds labored or intense
- breathing by stooping or
leaning over
- increased, continuous or
nonstop coughing
- trouble talking or eating
- blue tint around lips or
finger tips
- inability to move around
or move normally
What should you do if a student
is having an asthma episode?
- Do not panic. Calm
adults help the student stay calm.
- Consult the student's asthma
action plan, if one is available.
- Check the peak
flow rate< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/peakflow.htm','termpeakflow','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">,
if used.
- Administer recommended medications.
- Call the student's physician
and/or parents as outlined in both the school's management plan and
the student's action plan.
- Do not hesitate to seek
emergency care if you are told to do so in the school's management plan,
in the student's action plan or by the student's health care provider.
- Call 911 if there is any
question of a life-threatening emergency.
| Special
note: Some students have severe or life-threatening
allergies< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/allergy.htm','termallergy','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">.
Their reaction to specific substances can cause their airways to get
so tight that they are unable to breath. An emergency treatment
kit should be kept in the area(s) where the student may likely have
such an allergic reaction. These kits contain an Epi-Pen< a href="../index.html" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('../glossary/epipen.htm','termepipen','scrollbars=yes,width=420,height=300')">,
used to administer the drug epinephrine, which usually provides immediate
relief of the life-threatening symptoms. For instance, when a
student is highly allergic to peanuts or other foods, the emergency
kit should be kept in the cafeteria and other places where food is
served. |
Remember, asthma can
be controlled. Expect nothing less!
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