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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-06-01, Page 27GODERIICH SIGNAL STAR THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1978—PAGE 7A Asthma Workshop explores ways for teachers to help BY JOANNE WALTERS An asthma attack can be a frightening ex- perience for a child. It can be an equally frightening experience for parents and teachers who are often not sure what they should do when a child has an attack. This was the underlying theme of an Asthma Workshop held for parents and teachers at St. Joseph's School in Kingsbridge on Tuesday, May 23. The workshop, entitled sthrna and the School, s led by Mrs. Beryl nsmore, executive ector of the Huron- th Lung Association. Dunsmore is also a tered nurse. A w D dir Per Mrs regis BREATHING CLASSES Mrs. many r-ea.l-i.ze_ _. provided Perth L for asthm 1967 the A breathing Goderich f children. T are designe children how their own a respiratory _ physical fitn improved postu Guest speak attend the cla speak to the pa asthmatic ch These speakers social workers, d public health n druggists, etc. The physiotherapi the classes teach children breath exercises to improve function of respiratory system and use at the onset of asthmatic attack Chronic asthmati children may have som over -inflation of the lungs even between attacks, shich that the whioh-amMn as empty of air exchanged with each breath. The children are taught to use their ab- dominal muscles for breathing, which gradually increases the range of movement of the diaphram. The greater movement of the diaphram increases the lung' volume on in- spiration and decreases it on expiration. ,Mrs. Dunsmore says the breathing classes were held in Clinton in 1971-72 but, as in Goderich, these classes had to be discontinued because of lack of in- terest. "It's not worthwhile to pay a physiotherapist and only have three children show up at a class," says Mrs. Dunsmore. "I can't understand why we can't get more people in Huron County interested in these classes." If people would like more information about the classes and other services provided for asthmatic children, they should write to the Huron - Perth Lung Association, 121 Wellington Street, Stratford or call 271-7500 "If enough parents contact us, we will consider having classes again in Huron County," says Mrs. Dunsmore. She says the classes do not take the place of a doctor's treatment they only help the child to relax. After just three or four classes, the asth- matic child does not panic as greatly at the onset of an attack. He also learns when to pull out of an activity when he feels an attack coming on. "Children with asthma are so often more active than others but they learn to go and sit down when they "start wheezing," says Mrs. Dunsmore. "This increases the child's' capacity to par- Dunsmore says people do not he---ser-.vi.ces. are by the Huron - ng Association atic children. In ssociation held classes in or asthmatic .;se classes to teach the to look after thma with efficiency, ess and re. ers also sses to rents of ildren. include octors, rses, sts at the ing the the to an c ticipate in physical ac- tivity, to compete and grow with peers and x` function more normally in everyday life." The breathing classes are held once a week for as long as necessary says Mrs. Dunsmore. Besides these classes, the Huron - Perth Lung Association has compressor machines on loan for asthmatic children. They also have small machines with 20 minute supplies of oxygen for emergency measures to be loaned out. The Association also pioneered residential camping for children with asthma in this area. The camping project is going into its third year. At the Asthma Workshop, the film A Breath of Fun, was shown to those present. This film showed what the breathing classes are all An Asthma Workshop was held at St. Joseph's School in Kingsbridge on about. It also showed the Tuesday, May 23. Here, St. Joseph's principal Dave Zyluk, talks withpublic --pr-ope-r--way--for---an asth-----•-•••-he'altlrififf"e- Rosemarie-EVAeis-anis executive director of the Huron -Perth matic child to use a pillow Lung Association, Beryl Dunsmore, who led the film and discussion on asth- when sleeping in order to ma in the school. (Photo by Joanne Walters) keep the windpipe aligned with the rest of the body. A psychologist speaking on the film said some asthma attacks are devastating to children. They feel like they're falling apart, he said. chemical. or mechanical irritants such as smoke, air pollutants and others. Asthma is known to be sometimes, a reaction to an infection inside the odsuch as a He stated that although,, respiratory infection like asthma is not initially a cold or bronchitis. psychological, it can become so as children Emotional stimuli may sometimes use their be a factor in condition to - make precipitating attacks in parents nervous so they persons with asthma due will give into their to allergic reactions. demands. WHAT IS ASTHMA? The word asthma actually means a sudden attack of panting. If you get it, you are not alone. It's an allergy reaction and one out of ten Canadians suffer from some allergy. Most of the people who get asthma seem to have inherited a tendency to be allergic (sensitive) to various substances. They frequently have had some revious allergy such as kin rash, hives or hay ver. A person with asthma y have a mild con- ous form or may er sudden, severe ks. The attacks of ma may come in any n and may last es, hours, or days. ften occur at night. erson having a asthma attack if he is choking. of get enough air annot breathe it ards. ide in winter e asthma. So e rabbit. Or a melet. Or People who d a tendency may be usceptible. result of e to an tion to ances -- s, dust, feathers due to s fe ma tinu suff atta asth seaso minut They o A p severe feels as He cann and he c out afterw A hayr may caus may a whi French o polluted air. have inherite to allergie especially Asthma' is a irritation du allergic rea various subst certain pollen animals hairs, and so on or Terry Crow! ey GODERICH London 524-9075 Lhe representing w LAWNS SPRAYED Dandelions and 95% of all other lawn weeds killed FREE ESTIMATES Fully licensed and insured CALL NOW RAY'S Lawn & Garden 524-9166 , Breathing is made difficult in an asthma attack due to obstruction of the bronchioles, the smaller air passages that carry air from the win- dpipe into the lungs. The passage§ are narrowed by spasms of their muscles, swelling of the mucous membrane that is their lining and in- creased amounts of mucus or phlegm. Despite its distressing attacks, asthma is rarely fatal. After an attack however, there may be some soreness in the chest, but X-rays usually do not reveal any damage to the lungs in the early stages. Children with asthma occasionally recover from it when they reach their teens. Such recoveries sometimes related to increase in occur in adults too. fluid in the middle ear During a severe attack,- 'due to allergic factors. the doctor may give the This in turn will lead to a patients injections to loss of attention in school. relieve his distress. More recently, cortiscosteroids have helped to end long- lasting attacks. Today, doctof s can bring quick relief to asthma victims and may be able to prevent further attacks. At the Asthma Workshop, teachyrs were told to be understanding. The asthmatic child has many problems. He may miss a lot/of school due either to the asthma itself or to aggravating respiratory infections. While absent, he may miss whole blocks of learning with- the result that he proceeds -through school with gaps in- his basic skills. He may need remedial work and will appreciate en- couragement as long as it's not too obvious to others. Work might be sent home for a day or two while the child is away. When at school, the asthmatic child oc- casionally displays physical symptoms which may interfere with his learning and social adjustment. He is in- clined to be small and pale though some are overweight through lack of exercise, which they shun because it can cause wheezing. Because 'asth- ma attacks occur frequently at night, he may suffer from missed sleep. Frequently there is associated intermittent hearing impairment It sometimes happens that the teacher picks up these tell-tale signs of allergy before the parents do. In such cases a tactful suggestion that an' allergic condition could exist, might help to THIS BEAUTIFUL NEW HOME ON YOUR FOUNDATION "THE AFFORDABLE SOLUTION" BUILT TO YOUR FAMILY NEEDS INCLUDES: All approvals - C.M.H.C., C.S.A., Etc. Brick Front and ' Aluminum on 3 sides, Broadloom Living Room, 3 Bedrooms, Kitchen Cabinets, by Paris kitchens, Built to Ontario Building Code Spec's, Copper Wiring, 200 AMP Service, Heating in- cluded. Base Coat of Paint on Aluminum Soffit and Facia. 11/2 Car Garage. S3'11 ALL THIS ONLY ,229 "Inquire Today About "THE QUALITY ROYAL HOME" CALL (519) 357-2444 See Our model home at the plant in Wingham. or write for free brochures. tla 69-181 .1121.1116. to- eft as an W Mailla• ROYAL HOMES LTD. BOX 370, WINGHAM, ONTARIO. Name Address Town Telephone I Have A Lot: •Yes No Location alleviate a lot of the child's suffering. Not only do emotional upsets tend to aggravate asthma but the affliction of a chronic disease creates strain on the victim and his family. The child's attitude to his parents -- frequently an ambivalent complex of love, guilt, dependence and rejection -- are transferred to his teacher when he comes to'school. If the teacher accepts him as a normal member of the class, his learning will be facilitated and he is less likely to use his illness as 'a crutch. Also, ne will not mind so much asking to be excused when it is really necessary. The best way a teacher can begin to help the asthmatic child in his or her class is to have a private talk with the child early in the year after he is comfortably established, letting him know in a friendly, matter-of-fact way that he or she is aware of his difficulties and is there to help when he needs it. The teachers should also have a conference with his parents and with the school nurse. Some general rules of thumb are: don't seat the child near an open window during pollen season; don't let the asth- matic child sit beside someone with a respiratory infection; if a physical activity is causing sym-ptotns let the asthmatic child wait a week or so and then try again; if he- can be given something else to do at which he can excel, so much the better; the best type of physical activity for an asthmatic child is one with built-in rest periods such as tennis, skipping rope or swim- ming. Since severe asthma attacks seldom occur at school, the teacher should not be overly worried about this; if there is a nurse in the school this will be her responsibility. If the teacher does ever have to meet this emergency and cannot reach the parents, she should let the child take his medicine if he has it, assume the most com- fortable position for him - - probably sitting up and leaning forward -- and talk reas§uringly and calmly to him. He can have a drink during or after the attack as long as it is not cold. If he is concentrating all his attention on breathing and has bluish looking lips, it is time to get him to a hospital. But .it is unwise and unnecessary for the teacher to dwell very long on this eventuality, Helping young asthma patients in the classroom turns out to be no dif- ferent from the ideal which good teachers try to follow for all their students: A stimulating and challenging educational program geared to level and abilities with special teaching if necessary; a comfortable physical environment, away from obvious allergens and irritants; and a calm, cheerful, accepting emotional environment that gives a feeling of success and self-esteem. The Asthma Workshop is the second such workshop that St. Joseph's School has had. The first was on Muscular Dystrophy. Principal Dave Zyluk says, "I feel sure there are so many things teachers are supposed to know that maybe they're not so sure about. 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