Asthma nad chronic illness
THE IMPACT OF ASTHMA & CHRONIC ILLNESSES
Explore the social and economic implications for the individual, the family, and the community of a child with a chronic illness such as asthma. Asthma is one of the most common long term chronic illnesses in children. About one out of every eight or nine Australian children have asthma. Australia has one of the highest levels of asthma in the world. It not only affects the child themselves but also affects their family and the wider community. (National Asthma Council Australia, n.d. ) Asthma affects the individual in many ways. It is known that children with asthma miss more days of school than children without asthma. They performed as well as their peers academically however were shown to be disadvantaged in later employment.(Milton et al., 2004, p.711) Even mild asthma can lead to significant disability and social isolation resulting in harmful effects on the child's self-confidence, motor development and limiting activities. Up to 50% of children with asthma could not complete sports lessons, and school work productivity was reduced due to being sleepy in class and having attention deficit problems. (Van Gent et al., 2008, p.809) Children should continue to exercise even if it is one of the triggers for asthma. With premedication and warm up exercises, children should be able to exercise regularly. Exercise is beneficial for children with asthma to achieve general well being, level of fitness, obtain self confidence and improve self esteem. Children with asthma are more likely to have issues with embarrassment and bullying at school. Parents can help their asthmatic child avoid embarrassment by asking the school teacher and counsellor to support and encourage the child. Having a school nurse, teacher or outside educator talk to other children in the class about asthma can also be helpful. The more informed children are about the illness, the less likely they will tease asthmatics. (Asthma Foundation WA, n.d.)
Explore the social and economic implications for the individual, the family, and the community of a child with a chronic illness such as asthma. Asthma is one of the most common long term chronic illnesses in children. About one out of every eight or nine Australian children have asthma. Australia has one of the highest levels of asthma in the world. It not only affects the child themselves but also affects their family and the wider community. (National Asthma Council Australia, n.d. ) Asthma affects the individual in many ways. It is known that children with asthma miss more days of school than children without asthma. They performed as well as their peers academically however were shown to be disadvantaged in later employment.(Milton et al., 2004, p.711) Even mild asthma can lead to significant disability and social isolation resulting in harmful effects on the child's self-confidence, motor development and limiting activities. Up to 50% of children with asthma could not complete sports lessons, and school work productivity was reduced due to being sleepy in class and having attention deficit problems. (Van Gent et al., 2008, p.809) Children should continue to exercise even if it is one of the triggers for asthma. With premedication and warm up exercises, children should be able to exercise regularly. Exercise is beneficial for children with asthma to achieve general well being, level of fitness, obtain self confidence and improve self esteem. Children with asthma are more likely to have issues with embarrassment and bullying at school. Parents can help their asthmatic child avoid embarrassment by asking the school teacher and counsellor to support and encourage the child. Having a school nurse, teacher or outside educator talk to other children in the class about asthma can also be helpful. The more informed children are about the illness, the less likely they will tease asthmatics. (Asthma Foundation WA, n.d.)