Students with asthma

Teachers will encounter students with asthma, and it is a good idea to have a plan worked out with the student, parents and in line with school policy for the management of the child with asthma. Contact your local Asthma Educator or Asthma Society for information and assistance.

Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the airways which causes breathing to become difficult. In a very severe attack, death can occur. The symptoms are usually difficulty in breathing, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. These symptoms can be brought on or worsened by:

• exercise
• head colds and sore throats
• sudden changes in temperature
• cigarette smoke
• animals
• dust
• emotions and stress
• excitement and laughter.

There are two types of commonly used medications for asthma, relievers and preventers. In an emergency situation it is a reliever (usually a blue device) that is needed. See Asthma First Aid.

To use an inhaler

• shake the inhaler
• sit upright and hold your chin up
• breathe out with a sigh
• hold the inhaler upright and close your lips around the mouthpiece
• as you begin to breathe in slowly and deeply, press the inhaler once
• hold your breath for 5-10 seconds
• breathe out slowly and gently through your nose
• after a minute, repeat these steps for further doses.

To use a spacer

• shake the inhaler
• fit the inhaler into spacer opening
• press the inhaler once only
• breathe in slowly and deeply through the spacer mouthpiece
• hold your breath for 5-10 seconds
• or if breathless take 2-3 normal breaths keeping the spacer in your mouth all of the time repeat these.

Related topics

Fore more information see What is asthma?

Original material provided by The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand. Reviewed by everybody.