Asthma
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the lungs. It causes episodes of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Students who have asthma may experience symptoms that range from mild to severe and that may happen rarely or every day. The lungs can become inflamed which causes the airways to swell and become narrow. The muscle around the airway then begins to tighten and the airway then begins to fill with mucus which makes it even harder to get air into the lungs. When all these things happen, it is known as an asthma attack.
When a student has an asthma attack this requires immediate action! They need to be given a quick relief inhaler (Albuterol).
An Asthma Trigger is something that will cause asthma symptoms to occur in a student.
Common Asthma symptoms
- Coughing – this cough can be dry, or mucus filled. Sometimes this may be the only symptoms you will see when a student is having an asthma attack.
- Wheezing – this is a whistling or squeaky sound heard when breathing.
- Chest tightness – feels like something is squeezing the chest
- Shortness of breath – unable to catch their breath or feel like they can’t take in enough air
- Fast breathing – students rate of breathing is more than normal
Severe Asthma symptoms
- Student is having trouble breathing even when sitting down
- Student is having difficulty talking or is pausing a lot when talking
- Student is feeling tired or appears drowsy
- Lips become blue
- Nostrils start flaring
- Area below and between the ribs and around the neck speak in with each breath
If the student is having severe asthma symptoms and is not getting better with quick relief inhaler, emergency services needs to be called!
What to do if a student has an asthma emergency?
- Please remain calm. Students will pick up on your fear and they may panic.
- Have the students sit in a position that is comfortable for them.
- Give the student 2 puffs of a quick relief inhaler (Albuterol) Follow the students written asthma action plan.
- Monitor student until symptoms have resolved
- Stay with student and provide reassurance
What can I do to prepare for my student with Asthma?
- Review your classroom roster to be aware of any students with a diagnosis of asthma
- Prepare a list for any substitute teacher so that they can be aware of any students with a diagnosis of asthma
- Know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an asthma attack and how to respond quickly
- Encourage those students with asthma to bring in a written emergency action plan that tells them exactly what to do if they have an asthma attack. Review the action plan and become familiar with it.
- Reduce possible asthma triggers in the classroom.
- Reduce classroom clutter
- Collaborate with your school nurse
Printable emergency sheet & Other Resources
References:
Allergy and Asthma Network. (2020). What is Asthma? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/what-is-asthma/
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, June 14). Asthma. CDC Healthy Schools. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/asthma/index.htm