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Working Together for Healthier Communities

Working Together for Healthier Communities. Who is CVAC?. Our Mission: To improve the health and well being of people with asthma through education, advocacy, networking, and promotion of activities to reduce the effects of asthma in our community. What is Asthma?.

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Working Together for Healthier Communities

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  1. Working Together for Healthier Communities

  2. Who is CVAC? Our Mission: To improve the health and well being of people with asthma through education, advocacy, networking, and promotion of activities to reduce the effects of asthma in our community.

  3. What is Asthma? • Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult • Nobody knows what causes asthma, but it does tend to run in families • Asthma can’t be cured, but it can be controlled by: • Medicines • Reducing “triggers” in the home. • Who knows someone with asthma?

  4. www.healasthma.com.png

  5. Asthma Symptoms

  6. Medications for AsthmaQuick-relief medications • Commonly called an “inhaler” or “puffer’ • Used to provide “quick relief” of asthma symptoms by relaxing airway muscles • Should be used with a spacer

  7. Medications for AsthmaController or Long-acting medications • Reduce the inflammation and swelling • Taken EVERY day – even when there are no symptoms • These medicines come in pills, inhalers, and diskus (example below)

  8. Asthma Triggers Dust Exhaust Smoke Pollen

  9. Asthma Triggers Pets or Furry or Hairy Animals Roach Dust Strong Smells Mold

  10. Asthma Triggers Colds orFlu Poor Air Quality smog picture from CDC

  11. Indoor Asthma Triggers

  12. Why do we worry about environmental asthma triggers?

  13. Environmental Asthma Triggers • Cause allergic reactions which trigger flare-ups • Cause irritation of airways resulting in inflammation • Can be lessened to decrease environmental exposure

  14. What are Dust Mites? • You can’t see them with your eye • They live off of dead skin flakes from people • The skin flakes and droppings of the dust mites are the asthma trigger • All people with allergic asthma are allergic to dust mites

  15. What can I do to reduce Dust Mites? • Cover mattress, box spring and pillows in dust mite proof coverings • Wash sheets weekly in hot water • Keep stuffed toys off the bed (or 1 only) • Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture weekly using (HEPA) vacuum • Keep indoor humidity low • Use shades instead of curtains

  16. Other ideas • Air out bedding until dry and cool before making the bed • Put a blanket between the child and sleeping surface then air the blanket • Rotate stuffed toys one at a time after vacationing in the freezer for 24hours first • Instead of washing AND drying, you can put blankets in the dryer for 20 minutes on hot • If no air conditioner, crack window when showering or bathing

  17. What is Mold? • Mold is a plant fungus • It needs warmth and moisture to grow • Favorite spots: • Bathroom tile & grout around the tub or toilet • Under the sink • Refrigerator drip pan and seal on the door • Leaky pipes or after water spills (anywhere)

  18. What can I do about Mold? • Try to keep humidity down • Clean up leaks and spills within 24-48 hrs. • Open a window or use exhaust fan when showering or bathing • Scrub mold off of hard surfaces with soap & water • ¾ cup of bleach to a gallon of water will kill most mildew (use with ventilation & gloves)

  19. What can I do (cont’d) • If there are destroyed flooring or ceiling tiles ask housing if they can replace • Keep refrigerator drip pan clean • Inspect for mold and clean monthly • Potted plants- • use plastic pots-no standing water • Don’t use a humidifier unless doctor orders (clean daily) • Vent clothes dryer outside

  20. Cockroaches

  21. The keys to controlling roaches • Starve them out • Dry them out • Keep them out • Don’t use Pesticides KEEP OUT (Roaches: this means YOU)

  22. What can I do about Roaches? • Starve them out: • Don’t leave food out or open – store food in sealed containers • Wipe kitchen counters after cooking • Clean up crumbs and eating surfaces • Try not to eat in the sleeping area • Soak dirty dishes in soapy water if you can’t wash them right away • Keep trash in closed container and take out every day 2005 Cockroach Control Guide

  23. What can I do about Roaches? • Dry them out: • Clean up spilled water • Try not to over water plants • Ask housing manager to fix leaky pipes

  24. What can I do about Roaches? (cont’d) • Keep them out: • Try to limit clutter • Toss grocery bags, boxes etc • Seal holes around pipes • Can add weather stripping around doors • Use window screens if possible 2005 Cockroach Guide

  25. What can I do about Roaches? (cont’d) • Don’t use pesticides: • Do not use roach bug sprays, foggers or bombs, as they have strong smells • Instead, use roach baits, gel or traps & replace them as directed on the box

  26. Pets and Furry or Hairy Animals The skin flakes of furry animals are an asthma trigger. • Cats are the leading cause of pet allergies! • Keep pets out of the child’s sleeping area & off of furniture • Wash hands after touching furry animals • Bathe pets frequently

  27. Mice or Rats The droppings of mice and rats become part of household dust, and are inhaled. • Use traps, don’t use poison • Keep food in closed containers, seal cracks and openings, and clean up spills

  28. Chemical Irritants • Chemicals and sprays can irritate the airways and cause an asthma episode • Don’t use strong smelling cleaning products without good ventilation • Keep children away while cleaning • DON’T USE PESTICIDES

  29. Trapped Pollutants Winter • If you cover your windows, make sure the plastic isn’t too tight. Some air flow is needed. • If there are furnace filters, change regularly • Always use exhaust fan or crack window when cooking • Gas stoves produce irritants • Cooking fumes can irritate sensitive lungs

  30. Trapped Pollutants Winter (cont) • Kerosene heaters • Use only recommended fuel i.e. no gasoline • Make sure ventilation is adequate • Cracked window or exhaust fan • Place heater in fireplace with external venting • Choose external vented type if possible

  31. Trapped Pollutants Summer • Monitor air quality reports on the news- ozone is VERY irritating • Open windows at night and close them during the day if there is not air conditioning • Air quality is usually better at night

  32. DEQ Ozone Air Quality Index

  33. Trapped Pollutants Summer • If window air conditioners are used, make sure that the vent is open to allow exchange of air • If possible, clean filters • Use exhaust fan or crack the window when cooking

  34. Second Hand Smoke

  35. Second Hand Cigarette Smoke • It is a major asthma trigger that sends children to the Emergency Room • Smoke chemicals remain on clothing and in your car and can cause symptoms • What can you do to decrease your child’s exposure? • Don’t smoke inside the home or car • Ask visitors to smoke outside • If family member must smoke use an old shirt outside and take if off before entering the house

  36. This Child Is Smoking!

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