What Is _
Asthma?

‘Asthma is 0 lung disease caused by
an inflammatory reaction in the
lordnches of airways leading into
the lungs. When these passages
“ narrow as a result of swelling.
muscle spasms and excess mucus
_ production, breathing becomes
" extremely difficult. Symptoms can
include frequent coughing,
increased breathing rate, restless-_
ness, irritability, or fatique. The
severity of symptoms varies and
may not be obvious without testing.
Children with asthma nezd clean air.
' Their symptoms are coused by
inhaled allergens (from pet hair anc
dust) Found. most often in the child's
home environment. Other causes of
symptoms include infection,
exercise, cold air, drugs such as.
aspirin, and occasionally foods,
Although the effects aren't
completely understood, there is no
doubt that air pollution affects
asthmatics. Second hand smoke.
aggravates symptoms in all
asthmatic children.

- Se

4

New Ideas .

North Shore Healtn is always searching
for new ideas to keep up with health
care advances around the world. Recent

_ programs in New Zealand and Australia

are proving that a community wide apr-
roach heles improve children’s health!
These approaches are aimed at deliver-
ing asthma education to all children with
asthma. When coordinated with exten-
sive health professional training, schools
ond other organizations’ involvement, the
results are improved success in self man-
agement of preventive medications and
improved health for asthmatic children.

Dic You
FSIOW coe

® Cat allergen is nearly impossible to get
rid ofl ;

® Children as young as 3 years can learn
to use their own metered dose inhalers!
»® "Testing negative” to substances in an
allergy test is net a permanent condition.
® With proper management even severe
asthmatics can engage in vigorous
activity and enjoy the benefits of reqular
exercise.

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Who Can Help?

North Shore Health
Community Health Nurses in the Preven-
tion Program work as a resource for
children, parents and teachers in the
schools. Call Preventive Nursing at 983-
6800. A Respiraton) Horne Care Nurse is
available for environmental assessment
and horne education. Call Marguerite
Feniak at 986-7111.

"A License to Breathe” is Lion's Gate
Hospital's Asthma Education Program.
Repeated weekly, a one hour session
teaches asthmatics the basics of selfcare.
Some space for children and their
farnilies. Call 984-3700,
Asthma/Aliergy Information Association
Fi non-profit national organization dedi-
cated to helping individuals and families
cope with everything fram hayfever to
food allergies and asthma by providing
up to date information, counselling,
education and advocacy programmes,
newsletter, etc. North Shore/Howe
Sound Chapter contact is Sally O'Rourke
at 980-1650.

BC Lung Association
Offers health education materials, ecluca-
tional programmes and seminars as well
as a summer camp, Call 731-4961,

Air Quality index
Guide to the lower mainland and North
Shore air pollution levels. Call 436-6767
for a daily recorciad update.

"Teasing and How To Stop It”

With the help of a parent or older sibling
the asthmatic child learns strategies to
stop being teased. For ages 6 to adoles-
cence. Call Edna Durbach at 875-2345
ext. 7205 or Marite Askey at 421-7161.