Tag Archive for: Asthma

TCAMP: Take Charge Asthma Management Program

Does your child take daily asthma medications? Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Becca McCurdy reviews MD Pediatrics’s TCAMP (Take Charge Asthma Management) Program for our patients who use asthma medications on a daily basis.

It’s important to use your medications everyday, even when you’re feeling well!

 

 

 

 

Transcript:

“Hi, I’m Becca McCurdy, one of the pediatric nurse practitioners here at MD Pediatrics. I’d like to take a moment to review our T-CAMP asthma management program for patients who take daily asthma medications.

1) Every 6 Months
If you take daily asthma medications, you should have a T-CAMP appointment 6 months after your last well exam. This way, we’re seeing you twice a year and can better adjust medications to suit your evolving needs. Be sure to bring your medications to your appointment.

If you see an allergist or a pulmonologist, please send us referral letters so that we can keep your medical records up to date. It’s important that we have an accurate picture of your overall health.

2) Call Us First
If you have an asthma attack or trouble breathing, call us first. As your medical home with your detailed medical history, we know your specific needs better than anyone. We’re equipped to help you handle most asthma issues, and can always refer you to the ER if that’s the best option.

If you come into the office for asthma-related issues, be sure that you get a hard copy of your new asthma plan when you walk out the door

3) Every Day!
It’s important to take your medications every day, even when you feel well.  Long-term asthma controllers keep the swelling in your airways down, preventing asthma attacks from happening in the first place. If you’re feeling good, it means that treatment is working!

One tip that I give my asthma patients is to keep your maintenance inhaler next to your toothbrush so you’ll remember to use it when brushing your teeth: once in the morning, and once at night. Plus, you’ll also be next to the sink to rinse out your mouth after using the inhaler.

With proper care, people who have asthma can stay active, sleep through the night, and avoid disruptive asthma attacks. We’re committed to staying on top of your asthma, so that you can live well and breath easy.”

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Asthma Management: Video

Inhalers and spacers are a crucial part of asthma management. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Kim Mowery explains, and then demonstrates with her daughter Kamryn, how to use them properly.

Transcript

Kim Mowery: Hi, I’m Kim Mowery, one of the pediatric nurse practitioners at MD Pediatric Associates. Today I’d like to take a few minutes to discuss the proper use of inhalers in asthma management.

Asthma Management: Inhalers for Kids and Teens

Kim Mowery: Metered dose inhalers such as ProAir and ADVAIR are important parts of any asthma action plan, and therefore we want to make sure that they’re being used appropriately. In order to achieve this, we recommend the use of a spacer. A spacer is designed to allow the medication to be delivered into the chamber, and then allow the child to take a breath from the chamber, ensuring that the medication goes into the lungs and not deposit in the mouth.

Young children need to use a mask with the spacer to make sure that it’s as effective as possible. Older kids often times can use it without the mask and still be as effective.

This is my daughter Kamryn. She’s 8 years old and she’s going to show us how to use our inhaler with the chamber. The first time we’re going to use it without the mask. She’s old enough to use it without the mask, so we’re going to show you that first. The most important thing is to have your child standing up while they do this. So Kamryn is going to take a big breath in, blow it out, then you’re going to place the chamber in her mouth. One pump, big breath in, hold it for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and then blow the breath out. Most of the time we’ll do two pumps, but you want to separate them by a minute in between each pump.

Mask and Spacer

Kim Mowery: The next way we’re going to show you is when you use a mask for those younger kids who may not be able to put their mouth around the chamber properly. Same thing, in the standing position, this time though you want to put the mask directly to their face from the top of the nose to the middle of the chin. You’re going to press on the inhaler one time, and then have them take 3-5 breaths in and out, holding the mask on their face the whole time. And that’s all you have to do for that one.

Our goal at MD Pediatrics is to make sure that every child who has asthma, and their parents, are comfortable with the use of a spacer and an inhaler. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

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