breathe free children's asthma activity book
DESCRIPTION
Educational asthma activity book created for the pediatric respiratory department at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.TRANSCRIPT
learn about asthma and breathe free!
asthmaactivity book
c l e a r t h e a i r. ta k e c a r e o f a s t h m a .
what is asthma?
what causes asthma?
chapter one
Hi! I’m the Big Bad Wolf. I have asthma, so sometimes huffing and
puffing is hard for me. But I’ve learned how to take care of asthma, and you can too! Follow me and my friends
through this book to learn how!
There are many reasons you could have asthma.
You can’t cure it, but you can control it!
what causes asthma?
asthma word scramble search this activity book to learn
the answers to the questions!
s l g u n
e x e h w e
l a o l r u t e b
e s r e c u
l c r t o r l e n o
r s c p a e
1. What part of your body is affected by asthma?
answers: 1) lungs | 2) wheeze | 3) Albuterol | 4) rescue | 5) controller | 6) spacer
2. This is the whistle sound in my chest.
3. This is the name of my rescue medicine.
4. This is the type of medicine that I use only when I need it.
5. This type of medicine helps keep my asthma under control.
6. I use this plastic tube so more medicine gets down in my lungs.
bronchusa large air tube that
begins at the end of the trachea and branches
into the lungs
bronchiolestiny branches of air
tubes in the lungs that connect to the alveoli
(air sacs)
alveolitiny air sacs in the lungs
where the body picks up oxygen
and lets go of carbon dioxide
trachea (breathing tube)
a large tube that brings air down to your lungs; also known as the windpipe
a look at your lungs!
here’s how it works!Your lungs look
kind of like an upside-down tree inside your body.
Air travels down the branches into
your lungs.
At the end of the branches are tiny air
sacs called alveoli. They look like
bunches of grapes.
This is where oxygen is exchanged for
carbon dioxide. And oxygen is what keeps
your body alive!
why is it hard to breathe?
The walls of your airways swell.The muscles in your airway get tighter.
There is more mucus in your airway, so air can’t get through.
Turn this book sideways to take a look at your airways!
why is it hard to breathe?
health
y air
way
asthm
a air
way
airwa
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a flar
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RELA
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TIG
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action plan • albuterol • alveoli asthma • bronchi • bronchioles
controller medications • inflammation nebulizer • rescue medicine • trachea
asthma words you should know!
if you don’t know any of these, find them in this book!
parents: HoW To Tell IF Your cHIld Is HAvIng TrouBle BreATHIng
throatpulling in at the
neck area
belly breathing
use of stomach muscles to help with breathing
shortness of breath
• trouble breathing• unable to speak in full
sentences• trouble talking• looks like child is
working hard to breathe
other signs of trouble include:•flarednostrils•paleorbluecoloraroundmouth
•bluecolorinnailbeds•fastbreathing•noisybreathing •gruntingorwheezingsound
ribspulling in between
rib bones
collar bone
sinking in at collar bone
if you don’t know any of these, find them in this book!
indoor triggers:
things that make your asthma worse are called TRIGGERS
triggers can be things you’re allergic to, or things that irritate your lungs
these are some of the guys you should avoid if you have asthma!
chapter two
asthma triggers
indoor triggers:
asthma triggers smoke
dust mites
Keep your car and house smoke free.
avoid these guys:body parts and droppings found in mattresses, bedding, carpeting, curtains and draperies
Ask a parent to cover your mattress andpillowsinadust-proofzipperedcover
Don’t let any visitors smoke in your home!
Ask a parent to wash your bedding weekly in hot water and dry completely
Ask a parent to vacuum your carpet often
Ask a parent to mop hard floorsAsk a parent if they can vacuum with a HEPA filter
Try not to sleep with a lot of stuffed animals
Try to wash your stuffed animals frequently in hot water and dry them completely
household mold
household pestsClean up your food messes!
Clean up any mold you see!
Don’t keep moldy sponges & mops.
Limit houseplants - they can grow mold!
Use your air conditioner when possible.
If the humidity in your house is above 50%, ask your parents if they can get a dehumidifier.
Keep a lid on your garbage can!
Ask a parent seal holes /cracks in your walls
Ask a parent to use mouse & roach traps Avoid the use of sprays or chemicals, though.
household pests smoke, strong odors, fumes
Avoid the use of fireplaces & wood-burning stoves.
warm-blooded animals
avoid these guys:dander(skinflakes),urine,saliva
If you can, keep your pets outside.Keep your pet out of your bedroom!
Wash your hands after playing with your pet!
don’t use aerosol sprays, candles, or air fresheners.
avoid these guys:perfumes, aerosol sprays, cleaning products, candles, air fresheners
air pollution
avoid these guys: car exhaust, smoke, road dust, factory emissions
Ask your parent to check air quality report
outdoor triggers:
stay inside if the air quality is poor
use your air conditioner to help filter the air coming into the home
avoid campfire smoke exposure
outdoor triggers:pollen
illnesswash your hands with soap and water often
Ask your parent to close windows and doors during pollen season.
Ask your parent to use the air conditioning in your car
don’t dry your clothes outside.
Try not to go outside on windy days.
Use antihistamines before you go outside.
If you feel really bad after being outside, take a bath or shower and wash your hair
use hand gel when you can’t use soap and water
if your doctor agrees, get a flu shot every year
avoid crowds duringcoldandflu
weather changes
When it’s cold, wear a mask or scarf on your face.
exerciseTake your medicines before you exercise!
Take your medicines before you excercise!
Warm up first, and cool down afterward!
Try not to exercise when there is a lot of pollen or pollution! or when it’s really cold.
Try not to exercise when you’re sick.
When it’s hot, try to stay inside.
warm up before you do this!
keep windows and doors closed!
use the a/c to filter air in your home!
keep a lid on your garbage can!
wash your hands often!
keep your pets outside!
vacuum your carpet!
don’t use air fresheners!
wear a scarf over your face!
don’t let people smoke in your home!
don’t keep old sponges!
match the triggers with one way you can avoid it!
match the triggers with where you might find them!
1 Smoke
2 Dust Mites
3 Household Mold
4 Household Pests
5 Warm-Blooded Animals
6 Smoke, Strong Odors, Fumes
7 Air Pollution
8 Pollen
9 Exercise
10 Hot Weather
11 Cold Weather
make your own asthma action planchapter three
1
2
3
what are your triggers?
think about times when you have trouble breathing, or are coughing, or have allergy symptoms like sneezingoritching
try to notice when you have symptoms, and ask a parent, teacher, or doctor to help you figure out which triggers are
read in chapter three how to avoid your triggers, and ask your parent or school nurse to help you avoid them
when it’s cold
when I spend a lot of time outside
when I’m around mold
when I’m around strong smells
when I exercise
when I’m around someone smoking
when I’m sick
when I’m around car exhaust or smoke
when I’m at home
when I’m around beds or carpet
when I’m around pets
when it’s hot
circle: my asthma gets worse...
what are your symptoms?
My chest feels tight
Sometimes I wheeze
I have allergies: sneezing and itching
I cough a lot
I have trouble breathing when I’m working or playing
Sometimes I am too tired to walk
Sometimes I feel like I need to lie down because I can’t breathe
Have a parent or teacher help you find your symptoms if you don’t know!There are more in chapter one!
trigger:
trigger:
trigger:
steps I will take to avoid it:
steps I will take to avoid it:
steps I will take to avoid it:
what to do!
asthma action plan
An asthma action plan will help you to know when to take your medicine and how much to take. Have your doctor help you make yours!
Ifyouarewheezing,coughing,short-of-breath,or waking up because you can’t breathe, your asthma might not be well-controlled!
green zoneprevent!
you’re doing well!
before exercise:5 minutes before exercise
take your usual maintenance medicines!
x / day
x / day
x / day
x / day
nocoughorwheeze
early warning signs of asthma trouble (yellow zone):I sometimes wheeze
I cough often
I have tightness in the chest
I have signs of allergies
I have trouble breathing
Sometimes I have trouble sleeping at night because of cough or trouble breathing
I have cold or allergy symptoms
I play quietly or sometimes don’t want to eat or drink
I am short of breath when I work or play
yellow zonebreathe!
add reliever medicines
x / day
x / day
x / day
x / day
you have mild symptoms cough, tightness in chest, gettingacold/flu
late warning signs of asthma trouble (red zone):
I cough a lot
I can’t speak in full sentences
I am too tired to walk
I can’t lie down because of trouble breathing
I frequently belly breathe
My nostrils flare
I sit or walk hunched over to help me breathe
late warning signs of asthma trouble (red zone):
red zonecall!
your asthma is getting worse
call your doctor!
x / day
x / day
x / day
x / day
phone number:
increase your medications!
call your doctor!
taking care of your asthma
chapter four
Follow your asthma action plan!
there is no cure for asthma, but there are things you can do to keep asthma under control
Take all medicines as directed by your doctor!
See your doctor when you’re supposed to!
Pay attention to your symptoms!
Avoid your asthma triggers!
See your doctor when you’re supposed to!
rescue medicationsYou should take me when you’re having trouble with your asthma.
sometimes you might feel hyper or shaky because of your rescue medicine. That’s okay! call your doctor if you’re worried.
I work fast to make it easier to breathe
we are asthma medicines and we can help you with your asthma!
there are two main types of medicine: controller and rescue
controller medications
you have to take me every day for me to work right
I will help you prevent future asthma problems by keeping your airways from swelling
I will treat the disease, not just your symptoms!
a controller medicine calendar might help you remember to take your medicine every day
taking your medicine
you should always use a spacer or valved holding chamber when you use your inhaler to help the medicine get into your lungs
always take all of your medicine and keep taking it until your doctor says to stop
an asthma diary can help you keep track of your asthma; take it with you when you see your doctor
using a metered dose inhaler
shake the inhaler hard up and down five times
1
take the mouthpiece cover off2
if the inhaler is new or has not been used for several days, spray four puffs into the air first. these are called “priming puffs”
3
with valved holding chamber/mask
using a metered dose inhaler
push the inhaler into the rubber end of the valved holding chamber so that it fits tight!
4
sit up straight or stand up. Put the mask over your face. The mask should fit over your nose and mouth!
5
sloWlY breath in and out six times through your mouth. You want to fill your lungs with medicine for this long
press down on the canister one time
6
7
using a nebulizer
taketopoffnebulizercap1
twist cap off medicine vial2
squeezemedicineintonebulizercup3
puttopbackonnebulizercup4
put the end of the tube in the bottomofthenebulizercup
5
Putthemaskontopofnebulizercup. The mask you have might look a little different than this one. refer to the package insert on how to assemble.
Put the mask on your face. The strap should fit snug!
Plug the other end of the tubing intothenebulizerandturnon.
When the treatment is done, the sound will sound less steady and will make a sputter sound.
6
7
8
caring for your nebulizer
wash your hands first!1
disassemblethenebulizercap2
gently wash mask or mouthpiece and medicine cup with warm soapy water and mild detergent3
rinse mask or mouthpiece and medicine cup with clean water4
don’twashthenebulizertubing or compressor!5
put parts back together when totally dry
shake off the extra water and put the parts on a clean towel to dry out6
7
ask a parent to help!
caring for your nebulizer
T connector for use with mouthpiece
nebulizercompressor
nebulizermedicine cup
power source
tubing
mouthpiece
mask
medicine cup with mask
air inlet filter
metered dose inhaler tracker
look on the label on your inhaler to see how many puffs are in the canister.
cross out the number for every puff given!
tools for managing your asthma
chapter five
metered dose inhaler tracker
You may still feel something when you shake your inhaler. This is not medicine. Throw this inhaler away. start a new inhaler.
200 199 198 197 196 195 194 193 192 191
150 149 148 147 146 145 144 143 142 141
100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91
50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41
190 189 188 187 186 185 184 183 182 181
140 139 138 137 136 135 134 133 132 131
90 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81
40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31
170 169 168 167 166 165 164 163 162 161
120 119 118 117 116 115 114 113 112 111
70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61
20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11
180 179 178 177 176 175 174 173 172 171
130 129 128 127 126 125 124 123 122 121
80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71
30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21
160 159 158 157 156 155 154 153 152 151
110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101
60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
controller medicine calendar
sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday
put an X over the moon when you take your evening controller medicine
put an X over the sun when you take your morning controller medicine
controller medicine calendar
controller medicines work over time to help out your lungs. You should take them every day to prevent asthma trouble, even if you feel okay!
sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday