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Wednesday, Mar. 23, 2005 | ||
Breathing easierResource set helps school workers prevent asthma attacks in studentsChildrens Healthcare of Atlanta and CVS/pharmacy have compiled a resource set designed to help school health professionals manage the care of students with asthma and prevent the onset of attacks. The resource set contains in-depth descriptions of the various asthma triggers with tips about how to control exposure. A detailed brochure describes early warning signs of an attack, which with treatment, can help to avoid or lessen the severity an asthma attack. The resource set also provides in-depth information about the correct use of metered-dose inhalers, which are often used incorrectly, and includes an inhaler poster which will aid in the identification of quick relief inhalers needed to treat asthma attacks. The resource set will be distributed in March 2005 to every public school in Georgia. School nurses can also contact the nearest CVS/pharmacy to access a Doctors Line, where they can consult a pharmacist about medications and/or treatments to help their students. The health and education of these children are suffering tremendously, said Joyce Allers, Manager of Illness Prevention and Management, Community Health Development and Advocacy, Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. Preventing attacks is absolutely the best method to keep them from losing more ground in their studies, growth and self-esteem. Spring and summer are often dreaded seasons for asthma sufferers, especially children. Because childrens lungs are still developing and they often spend more time outdoors in warmer months, children can be more susceptible to triggers. Not only are everyday irritants and allergens still present, but asthmatics also battle a laundry list of seasonal triggers that can cause attacks. Among them, pollen from trees, grass and weeds, air pollution and weather changes can cause a child or adult to erupt in a moderate to severe asthma attack, sometimes requiring hospitalization. Asthma is a lung disease that is common in children, but lacks a cure. According to the Centers for Disease Control, asthma has increased by 74 percent among children ages 5 to 14 between 1980 and 1996. The number of children that died from asthma increased almost threefold from 1979 to 1996. In 2004, it was reported that 9 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with asthma, and more than 4 million experienced an attack in the past year. Because each individuals attacks are caused by different triggers, it can be frustrating to control and potentially dangerous to the child. The impact of asthma on school-aged children is extreme. The disease is a leading cause of school absence, and at least 11 percent of Georgias children are affected by it. With hundreds of children to care for in a given day, it is essential that school nurses have qualified resources at their fingertips. The partnership with Childrens, coupled with access to CVS pharmacists in each community in the state, will enable school nurses to have the most current information concerning asthma and asthma triggers, said Russ Dossey, regional manager, CVS/pharmacy. In addition to the more widely known asthma triggers, such as mold, colds, dust mites and air pollution, many others can generate attacks. Smoke, pets, exercise and odors, such as perfumes and air fresheners, are all common triggers. To promote asthma management, it is important to learn a childs triggers and take steps to control exposure to them. To obtain a copy of the resource set, contact Monica Sutherland at 404-785-7240. For more information about Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta, visit www.choa.org. | ||
Copyright 2004-Fayette Publishing, Inc. |