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The prevalence of asthma amongst the Malaysian children has risen recently. called spirometry. This test will measure how much air one can inhale and
According to the National Health and Morbidity Study 2006, it is about 7% amongst exhale. Another test would be the peak flow. This measure the speed of the air
children up to the age of 18 years old. Therefore it is very important to recognize the exhaled.
symptoms and understand asthma. This is to prevent our children from developing
Doctors will first measure the peak flow by asking the
complications.
patient to blow into peak flow meter (fig.3) and record
This article is to enrich the knowledge of the readers to understand asthma better the reading. Then he will prescribe medication and
repeat the peak flow again. Any improvement in the
thus allowing them to be better prepared for any emergency situation with regards to
reading i.e. further than the 1 st reading confirms the
Asthma.
asthmatic diagnose. In our clinic, we provide the
WHAT IS ASTHMA? Figure 3: Peak Flow Meter
(source: ebay.com.uk) service . Please ask the doctor on duty.
Asthma is a disease that is characterized by constant coughing associated with TO TREAT ASTHMA
shortness of breath and wheezing.
If your child is confirmed having asthma, then the doctor will provide two types of
CAUSES OF ASTHMA inhalers: ‘reliever’ and ‘preventer’. As the name suggests the reliever is used to

The symptoms above are provide immediate relief of the asthmatic symptoms (cough and wheezing). The
amplified when exposed to preventer is used to prevent the symptoms and is normally used on a long-term basis.
asthmatic triggers (fig.2) It is important to know the difference as it will ensure at appropriate asthma action
such as allergens, plan in case of an emergency. The asthma action plan is a treatment plan for the
infections such as upper asthma patient which is designed for the patient with the doctor. For further details
respiratory tract infection please contact or drop by the nearest SP Care Clinic.
(URTI) and exercise. Reference: http://www.asthmamalaysia.org/

There is also an increase
of asthma exacerbations How to manage asthma at school?
in families that suffer from  Parents should provide a copy of the asthma action plan worked out for
atopic diseases such Figure 2: asthma triggers the child to the concerned person at school.
eczema and allergic rhinitis. (Source: www.tipdisease.com)
 Keep the teacher informed about the asthma medicines that your child is
HOW DO DOCTORS DIAGNOSE? taking.
A detailed physical examination of past medical and family history is necessary for  Provide the teacher with the list of asthma triggers for your child, so that
diagnosing asthma in a child. In obtaining the medical history, the healthcare they could be avoided.
professional will have to pay attention to symptoms, triggering factors and also
 Ensure that the teacher is aware of the rescue inhaler and how to use it.
incidences of eczema or allergic rhinitis in the family. A very important way to access
the lung capacity is the lung assessment test. This test is simply a breathing test  Ensure that the teacher is aware of how to handle an emergency situation

A TYPICAL DIET PLAN FOR AN ASTHMATIC CHILD
According to a international study done in 2010 ( ISSAC phase 2 ), more frequent consumption of fruits, 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 drink apple juice at least once a day were 50% less likely to developed asthmatic symptomatic.

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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