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The prevalence of asthma amongst the Malaysian children has risen recently. or allergic rhinitis in the family. A very important step is also lung function test. This
According to the National Health and Morbidity Study 2006, it is about 7% amongst test is simply a breathing test called spirometry. This test will measure how much air
children up to the age of 18years old. Therefore it is very important to recognize the you inhale and exhale. Another test would be the peak flow. This measure the speed
symptoms and understand asthma. This is to avoid our children suffering more which of the air exhaled.
can lead to mortality.
Doctors will first measure the peak flow by asking the patient to
blow into peak flow meter (fig.3) and record the reading. Then
This article is to enrich the
readers to understand he will prescribe medication and repeat the peak flow again.
asthma better thus allowing Any improvement in the reading i.e. further than the1 st reading
Figure 3: Peak Flow Meter
them to be better prepared (source: ebay.com.uk) confirms the asthmatic diagnose. In our clinic , we provide this
service . Please ask the doctor on duty .
for any emergency situation
in regards to Asthma. TO TREAT ASTHMA

WHAT IS ASTHMA? If your child is confirmed having asthma, then the doctor will provide two types of
Asthma is disease that is inhalers: ‘reliever’ and ‘preventer’. As the name suggest the reliever is used to
provide immediate relief of the asthmatic symptoms (cough and wheezing). The
characterized by constant
preventer is used to prevent the symptoms
Figure 1 : ASTHMA PHYSIOLOGY (source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology) coughing associated with
shortness of breath and wheezing. and is normally used on a long term
basis. Is it important to know the How to manage asthma at
CAUSES OF ASTHMA school?
difference as it will ensure at
The symptom above are amplified when the appropriate asthma action plan in  Parents should provide a
exposed to asthmatic triggers (fig.2) such as case of an emergency. The asthma copy of the asthma action
allergens, any infections such as upper action plan is a treatment plan for the plan worked out for the child
respiratory tract infection (URTI) and exercise. asthma patient which is designed for to the concerned person at
the patient with the doctor. For further school.
There is also an increase of asthma
details please contact or drop by the  Keep the teacher informed
exacerbations in families that suffers from atopic
nearest SP Care Clinic. about the asthma medicines
diseases such eczema and allergic rhinitis. that your child is taking.
Figure 2: asthma triggers (Source: www.tipdisease.com)
HOW DO DOCTORS DIAGNOSE? Reference:  Provide the teacher with the
list of asthma triggers for
A detailed physical examination with past medical and family history is necessary to http://www.asthmamalaysia.org/
your child, so that they
diagnosing asthma in a child. In obtaining the medical history, the healthcare
could be avoided.
professional will pay attention to symptoms and the triggers also incidence of eczema
 Ensure that the teacher is
aware of the rescue inhaler
A TYPICAL DIET PLAN FOR AN ASTMATIC CHILD and how to use it.

According a international study done in 2010 ( ISSAC phase 2 ), more frequent  Ensure that the teacher is
consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish was associated with a lower lifetime prevalence aware of how to handle an
emergency situation
of asthma, whereas high burger consumption was associated with higher lifetime asthma
prevalence. European Respiratory Journal has published a study that asthmatic
children who drinks apple juice at least once a day were 50% less likely to developed
asthmatic symptomatic. THE WINGMAN

INGREDIENTS Lemon - 1 fruit (2-1/8" dia) 58g
Apples - 3 medium (3" dia) 546g Orange (peeled, de-seeded) - 1 large (3-1/16"
dia) 184g
Celery - 3 stalk, large (11"-12" long) 192g

Cucumber - 1/2 cucumber (8-1/4") 150.5g
Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir
Ginger Root - 1/2 thumb (1" dia) 12g
and serve.
Kale / Spinach - 4 leaf (8-12") 140g

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