Asthma

What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disorder of the airways that causes inflammation and swelling of the airways. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed with medication and education.

What Services Are Offered by the Health Department?
The Barren River District Health Department’s Asthma Management Program offers a wide variety of services for the community.

Individuals and Families

Asthma Self-Management Classes

A Certified Asthma Educator will hold monthly classes that will help you:

Understand the effects of asthma on your lungs
Know how your medications work and when they should be taken
Correctly use devices including peak-flow meters, nebulizers, and holding chambers
Understand your triggers and how your environment plays a part in your asthma

The program is at the Warren County Health Department, 1109 State St., on the 4^th Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM. Each class lasts approximately 1 ½ hours.

Home Assessments

Home assessments are very helpful in understanding how your home environment can affect your asthma.

A certified asthma educator will meet with you to discuss your home environment and make recommendations that will assist you in breathing easier. Home assessments require a referral from a school nurse, Nurse Practitioner, or physician.

Schools

Consultation with a Certified Asthma Educator

· A Certified Asthma Educator is available to consult with a school nurse or health aide to provide assistance to students with asthma. With a referral from the school nurse, the asthma educator can assist the family by providing asthma education, a home assessment and recommendations to decrease triggers.

Professional Development for Faculty and Staff

· Asthma 1-2-3, a program of the American Lung Association, is a school-based educational tool designed to provide education to faculty and staff. The 1 hour offering includes information on pathophysiology of asthma, the different types of medications and how they are used, the use of devices such as inhalers and nebulizers, and steps to take in an asthma emergency.

Business and Industry

Roughly twenty-five million adults miss work annually in the US, due to asthma. Education is key to reducing that number. We are available to provide several services to your employees.

A Certified Asthma Educator can provide staff in-service at your facility. The presentation lasts approximately 1 hour and includes information on what asthma is, triggers and allergens, medications and delivery devices and developing an asthma emergency plan.
Home assessments are very helpful in understanding how your home environment can affect your asthma. A certified asthma educator can provide a room-by-room review of the home and make recommendations to assist your employee in breathing easier. Home assessments require a referral from a safety officer or physician.

Physicians

· Certified Asthma Educator is available to provide one-to-one education to your patients. During the visit, the asthma educator will help the patient understand triggers and allergens by assessing the home and providing the patient with information on how to create a healthier environment. The asthma educator can also assist the patient in the appropriate use of devices, including inhalers, peak flow meters, and nebulizers. Helping patients understand how to follow an asthma action plan is also a key part of the visit, as it helps them to better cue into their symptoms.

A self-management class is held monthly. A Certified Asthma Educator will help attendees:

Understand the effects of asthma on your lungs
Know how your medications work and when they should be taken
Correctly use devices including peak-flow meters, nebulizers, and holding chambers
Understand your triggers and how your environment plays a part in your asthma

The program is at the Warren County Health Department, 1109 State St., on the 4^th Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM. Each class lasts approximately 1 ½ hours.