Asthma (children)

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Chapter 5: Asthma

Overview:

• Outlines the risk and trigger factors of asthma
• Signposts the signs and symptoms of asthma
• Describes the patterns of asthma including infrequent episodic asthma, frequent episodic asthma and persistent asthma
• Includes an in depth description of asthma management

Description:

Asthma affects a significant proportion of the population. In Australia asthma affects approximately 2 in 5 children, and the incidence of asthma appears to be rising. This chapter includes the triggers and signs of asthma as well as diagnosis and how to formulate an asthma management plan.

Topics:

• Asthma - a common problem
• Risk factors for asthma
• Trigger factors for asthma
• Signs and symptoms of asthma
• Diagnosis
• Patterns of asthma
• Management

Speaker / Author:

Gerry Silk
Gerry is a registered paediatric nurse who holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education. Gerry trained at The Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, and now has more than 30 years of experience in the care of sick children in various settings, including major city hospitals and outback Australia. Gerry spent 15 years working in the Emergency Department of the Royal Children’s Hospital (Melbourne, Australia), including ten years as the clinical nurse educator. She now works part-time as a paediatric nurse educator at the Angliss Hospital (Melbourne).

Gerry also runs her own business in paediatric health education and consultancy. In this capacity she presents seminars and educational sessions for parent groups, nurses, and other health professionals. While at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Gerry had a particular interest in the care of suddenly bereaved families. She developed hospital guidelines for the care of families affected by sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and these guidelines are now used around Australia. Gerry continues to have strong links with the ‘SIDS & Kids’ organisation, and conducts creative scrapbooking workshops for bereaved parents.

Gerry also instigated the use of calico dolls with children who are receiving health care. The dolls are now used throughout Australia and in many countries overseas — with the support of the Kiwanis organisation, which coordinates the making of the dolls. As a result of this initiative, Gerry was awarded the Victorian Community Service award in 1993. Gerry is especially interested in the cultural aspects of health care, and her postgraduate studies (which included study in China) reflected this abiding interest. Gerry regularly works in developing countries for a couple of weeks each year, which also allows her to indulge in her love of travel.

Professional Reviews:

I found this session to be very informative and now I clearly understand the difference in the medications and their use for asthma.