Page 27 - SP GRAM

test
i s
The prevalence of asthma amongst the Malaysian children has risen recently. simply a breathing test called spirometry. This test will measure how much air you
According to the National Health and Morbidity Study 2006, it is about 7% amongst inhale and exhale. Another test would be the peak flow. This measure the speed of
children up to the age of 18years old. Therefore it is very important to recognize the the air exhaled.
symptoms and understand
Doctors will first measure the peak flow by asking the patient to
asthma. This is to avoid our
blow into peak flow meter (fig.3) and record the reading. Then
children suffering more
he will prescribe medication and repeat the peak flow again.
which can lead to mortality.
Any improvement in the reading i.e. further than the1 st reading
confirms the asthmatic diagnose. In our clinic , we provide this
This article is to enrich the Figure 3: Peak Flow Meter
(source: ebay.com.uk) service . Please ask the doctor on duty .
readers to understand
asthma better thus allowing TO TREAT ASTHMA
them to be better prepared
If your child is confirmed having asthma, then the doctor will provide two types of
for any emergency situation
inhalers: ‘reliever’ and ‘preventer’. As the name suggest the reliever is used to
in regards to Asthma.
provide immediate relief of the asthmatic symptoms (cough and wheezing). The
WHAT IS ASTHMA? preventer is used to prevent the symptoms and is normally used on a long term basis.
Figure 1 : ASTHMA PHYSIOLOGY (source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology) Is it important to know the difference as it will ensure at appropriate asthma ac-
Asthma is disease that is
tion plan in case of an emergency. The asthma action plan is a treatment plan for the
characterized by constant coughing associated with shortness of breath and wheez-
asthma patient which is designed for the patient with the doctor. For further details
ing.
please contact or drop by the nearest SP Care Clinic.
CAUSES OF ASTHMA
Reference: http://www.asthmamalaysia.org/
The symptom above are amplified when the
exposed to asthmatic triggers (fig.2) such as
allergens, any infections such as upper
How to manage asthma at school?
respiratory tract infection (URTI) and exercise.
 Parents should provide a copy of the asthma action plan worked out for
There is also an increase of asthma
the child to the concerned person at school.
exacerbations in families that suffers from atopic
Figure 2: asthma triggers (Source: www.tipdisease.com) 
diseases such eczema and allergic rhinitis. Keep the teacher informed about the asthma medicines that your child
is taking.
HOW DO DOCTORS DIAGNOSE?
 Provide the teacher with the list of asthma triggers for your child, so
A detailed physical examination with past medical and family history is necessary to that they could be avoided.
diagnosing asthma in a child. In obtaining the medical history, the healthcare
 Ensure that the teacher is aware of the rescue inhaler and how to use it.
professional will pay attention to symptoms and the triggers also incidence of eczema
 Ensure that the teacher is aware of how to handle an emergency situa-
or allergic rhinitis in the family. A very important step is also lung function test. This
tion

A TYPICAL DIET PLAN FOR AN ASTMATIC CHILD
According a international study done in 2010 ( ISSAC phase 2 ), more frequent consumption of fruit, vegetables
and fish was associated with a lower lifetime prevalence 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 sympto-
matic.

INGREDIENTS
 Apples - 3 medium (3" dia) 546g  Kale / Spinach - 4 leaf (8-12") 140g

 Celery - 3 stalk, large (11"-12" long) 192g  Lemon - 1 fruit (2-1/8" dia) 58g
 Cucumber - 1/2 cucumber (8-1/4") 150.5g  Orange (peeled, de-seeded) - 1 large (3-1/16"
dia) 184g
 Ginger Root - 1/2 thumb (1" dia) 12g
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