children and young athletes; medical conditions, asthma Flashcards
What is Asthma?
A condition characterised by breathing difficulty caused by a reduction in the width of the airways leading to the lungs.
What does an asthma attack do in order to cause difficulty of breathing?
- Inflammation
- Extra mucus production
- Muscle tightening around the bronchioles
How many Australians suffer from asthma?
Roughly 2 million and around 8-9 young Australians athletes suffer from asthma.
What are the triggers of asthma?
- Pollen
- Pollution
- Cold or Dry air
What is ‘exercise-induced asthma’?
The form of Asthma in which, the airways are dilated during physical activity and constrict when activity ceases.
How do you manage and minimise the life threatening effects of Asthma?
- Always gradually warm up and cool down at the end of an activity
- Make sure exercise intensity is steady, as sudden changes to breathing can trigger an attack
- Adequately hydrate
- Follow all medical advice such as the utilisation of a puffer or preventer
- Be aware of triggers
What do you follow when an athlete is having an Asthma attack?
The National Asthma Council Chat, “First Aid for Asthma”
What are the steps within, “First Aid for Asthma”?
- Sit the child down comfortably upright
- Give 4 puffs of a blue/grey reliever- one puff at a time with 4 breaths between puffs
- Wait 4 minutes
- Give 4 more puffs in the same manner if difficulty breathing continues
- Call an ambulance immediately
What should an athlete with asthma avoid and do alternatively?
These athletes should avoid any physical activity if any of the triggers are found in the environment;
- Pollen
- Pollution
- Cold or Dry air
Additionally, Asthmatic Athletes may want to avoid activities with high intensity.
Instead, Asthmatic athletes will find benefit in swimming as it can be significantly beneficial in managing the detriments of asthma.
