Whiteside County Healthier Communities Partnership
Asthma Advisory
Mission: To improve the quality of life for people of all ages with asthma through education
Goals: To educate the public and professionals in the County about asthma, to promote asthma awareness through are activities, to aid school officials with asthma education, to help families with asthmatic children prevent medical visits.
Asthma Tips
If your child’s asthma interferes with daily activities more than twice a week, if symptoms wake him or her more than twice a month or if he or she uses more than two canisters of rescue (Albuterol) inhaler a year, discuss with your doctor.

• Always use a spacer with metered inhalers to obtain maximum effect of your inhaler.
• Rinse your mouth out after an inhaled steroid to avoid a mouth infection.
• For children ages 5 years and older, take and record peak flow readings to monitor lung functions on a regular basis.
• Take Peak Flow Diary and list of all medicines with you each time you visit your doctor.

Remember to wash your spacer with soap and warm water and let it dry. Do this once a week.
Common Asthma Triggers
Triggers that can initiate an episode of asthma include allergens such as: pollens, dust mites, animal dander, molds and foods, viral respiratory infections, physical exertion, certain drugs and food additives, weather conditions such as dry, wet or windy days.
About 60 percent of asthma attacks are caused by allergens such as spores, pollen and animal dander. Other allergens, such as medications, foods and cockroaches can also trigger a reaction.
Common Avoidances
Avoidance of these triggers will help the management of your asthma. If you cannot avoid them, here are some tips:

• Turn on the air condition and keep your windows closed.
• Wear glasses or sunglasses when outdoors to keep pollen from irritating your eyes.
• Wash your hands often.
• Rinse your eyes with cool water to remove clinging pollen.