Asthma Coloring and Activity Book pdf

• The number of people who are dying from asthma is going up.. Viruses make people sick with a cold can also be a trigger for asthma.. Color the squares of any of the signs below you hav

Coloring and Activity Book

©Advocate Health Care

2025 Windsor Drive, Oak Brook, IL 60523

This patient guide was partially funded by a grant from Merck & Co Inc and the Otho S.A Sprague Memorial Institute.

Breathing can be okay.

Your asthma can be well controlled This coloring and activity book is forchildren and their families Each activity will take you step by step to

understanding how to be your best with asthma It will tell about asthma

and the plan created by you and your doctor There are pages to color,

pictures to draw, things to figure out and puzzles to do

What is asthma?

Color the Lungs:

Asthma takes place in the breathing tubes in your lungs (your airways)

There are two kinds of asthma

Intermittent asthma is when symptomscome and go Sometimes the signs orsymptoms seem to be brought about

by very specific things like exercise

The second kind of asthma is calledpersistent asthma This means that theproblem is always there When yourasthma is in good control because youare taking your daily medicines youmay not have symptoms

You work with your doctor to make an ASTHMAACTION PLAN This plan is made for eachperson because asthma can be different in everyperson with asthma People with asthma can leadactive, busy lives full of fun activities

1 2

What are the STATS or numbers about

asthma?

• 18 million people in the United States have asthma

• More children have asthma than any other ongoing (chronic) disease

• 5 million American children have asthma

• The number of people who are dying from asthma is going up

• Asthma is expensive for the United States Missed work and school due

to asthma, asthma medicines and hospital visits for asthma cost

$6,000,000,000

— One visit to the emergency room can cost almost $2,000

Draw 6 billion dollars (That’s a lotta moola!)

Breathing, How the lungs work:

Breathing in and out should be easy Air travels from the nose and the

mouth then to airways in the lungs The air in the lungs carries oxygen tofeed the body Air also carried carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the lungs

CO2 is a waste product and needs to come out of the body

O2/CO2 MAZE Out with the bad air in with the good…start

at the “X” and find your way.

O2

CO2

X

Airways in asthma

People with asthma have airways that are sensitive or twitchy The

sensitive airways are worse when they come in contact with certain thingscalled triggers Some triggers are cold air, animal fur, and dust or tree

and plant pollen Viruses make people sick with a cold can also be a

trigger for asthma Triggers can make the airways swell and become

narrow When this is really bad it is called an asthma attack Many peoplewith asthma have a family member with asthma or allergies

Hidden Picture of Triggers

Can you find all of the triggers that appear in these pictures?

As the airways swell up, the muscles on the outside of the airways

tighten, causing them to narrow When they narrow, air cannot movethrough the airways and it becomes hard to breathe air in and out Thelungs make more thick, gooey mucous that blocks the airways In anasthma attack you may cough constantly, start wheezing or feel that it ishard to breathe

Color the three different airways and circle the one that is best!!

Asthma attacks can be different for each person

Not everyone has a cough or wheeze

How do you know if you or

someone in your family has asthma?

The following are signs and symptoms of asthma

Color the squares of any of the signs below you have

or had when you first found out you had asthma

❑ Wheezing or whistling sound

❑ Constant Cough

❑ Chest hurts or feels tight

❑ Throat hurts or is itchy

❑ Nose itchy

❑ Trouble breathing during and after exercise

and/or being very tired

❑ Fast breathing

❑ Scared feeling

❑ Heaviness or pressure in or on chest

❑ Nighttime breathing problem that wakes

you up

The following are some of the signs of an asthmaattack

• PALE OR BLUE LIPS OR FINGERS

• BELLY OR CHEST LOOKS SUNKEN CALL 911 WITH DANGER SIGNS

ACTIVITY: How it looks when I’m having an

asthma attack.

Triggers: Can you name them?

Triggers cause asthma symptoms and may lead to an attack There areways to control and reduce most triggers

ANIMALS

Cat and Dog fur and dander are triggers

Draw your dog or cat (real or imaginary):

It’s better not to own a cat or dog but if you have one and aren’t able togive it a new home then…

• Keep them outside Or, at least out of your bedroom.

• Make sure someone cleans ups, sweeps, and vacuums up all pet hair.

• Have someone clean kitty litter daily.

DUST MITES

Draw what you think a dust mite looks like

• Wash sheets, pillowcases and bedspreads weekly in hot water (warm water will not kill dust mites).

• Do not keep real houseplants.

• Keep plastic covers on mattresses and pillows (where to buy

them on page 40).

• Keep carpets steam cleaned but bare floors are even better.

COCKROACHES

Color in the cockroach

• Don’t have food outside of the kitchen and eat only at the table.

• Cover cracks and crevices with steel wool, caulk and caulk gum.

• Use roach motels or gel bait (Don’t use sprays.)

There’s a fungus among us (say it three times fast!)

• Change furnace filters monthly.

• Keep only one stuffed animal in your bedroom.

• Keep rooms dry (tell mom or dad <40% humidity)

• Don’t use a humidifier in your home.

SMOKING

DRAW THE NUMBER OF KISSES YOU WOULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO QUIT SMOKING FOR YOU (PLACE THEM ANYWHERE ON THIS

PAGE)

• Stay away from cigarette smoke.

• Ask people to smoke outside.

• Ask family and friends to try to quit smoking.

• Smokers should never smoke in the house.

• Smokers should not smoke in rooms that you use even if you are not there.

STRONG ODORS

• Use hypoallergenic perfumes and make-up.

• Use odor free shampoo, soap, laundry detergents

and lotions.

• Don’t use baby powder.

• Don’t use dryer sheets or liquid fabric softeners.

• Use a clothes dryer do not hang clothes outside they

will pick up pollen.

6

5 5

7 7 4

• Avoid places with a lot of pollution.

• Watch or listen to the news Know the pollution conditions like ozone warnings daily Stay inside when the numbers are up Call (312) 744-4365 to check ozone levels

• Clean air filters on furnaces and air conditioners.

Color and draw these

pollen makers

March through June - tree make the pollen.

May through June - grass is the bandit.

August through the first frost - weeds make their pollen

If you play outside, take a shower and wash your hair to get the

pollen off especially before going to bed.

COLD AIR

Put a scarf on the girls face

Breathing cold air can cause an attack Use a scarf or mask over your

nose and mouth in very cold weather Or you can pull your turtleneck up

Draw and color a virus

• Colds and flu are caused by viruses and can make asthma worse

• Avoid getting or spreading viruses by washing your hands

• Eat healthy foods, including five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

• Drink plenty of water, juice, Kool aid or Gatorade

5-6 glasses a day Don’t drink pop.

• Get a flu shot from your doctor every year in the fall.

Wash hands when dirty, after play, before meals, after petting animals.

ACTIVITY: Know your triggers, tiggr and

make a plan, man

Name that

trigger

Plan to stop that trigger

Great stuff to buy or borrow that can really

help

What-ja do?

4 Try the activity found below.

5 It’s normal to feel scared or upset when you are having trouble with your breathing Start by trying your best to go slow and

“take it easy”

What color is like when you are

Mind and body calming exercise

In the space below draw a place that you find very relaxing (the beach,the mountains, your favorite chair)

SAD?

MAD?

GLAD?

BAD?

Find a place that you feel safe and comfortable.

Now go to the place that you find calming by

picturing it in your mind

Take those deep breaths IN and OUT

Make your whole body relaxed like JELLO

Tighten and then let it go Start with your head and

move down to each part of your body until you get

to your toes

Count slowly as high as you can go

Slow your breathing down with each number

Now really imagine what it feels like at that special

place

Is it the breeze in your hair?

Is it the warmth on your neck?

Is it the sand between your toes?

Is it the beautiful colors?

It’s okay to sit alone, in someone’s lap or with a

friend

Exercise Asthma

Exercise asthma can occur during exercise or playing sports Having thistype of asthma does not mean you cannot exercise! Remember manypopular athletes have asthma If you have exercise asthma the best thing

to do is take your medicine before exercise, recess, sports or play

• Take your rescue medicines 20-30 minutes before you

ACTIVITY JOURNAL

(plan this with your doctor)

ACTIVITIES THAT MAKE ME FEEL WHEEZY OR TIGHT

ACTIVITIES THAT I LIKE TO DO

I SHOULD TAKE MY RESCUE INHALER (SPRAY)

_ MINUTES BEFORE ACTIVITY

QUESTIONS FOR MY DOCTOR

Q: What is a peak flow meter?

A peak flow meter is a device that measures how well your asthma is doing

It can be very helpful in warning you early, before you feel symptoms

What a peak flow meter can tell you:

• help you monitor your asthma action plan.

• when to call you doctor.

• when to go to the clinic or emergency room.

1=RED 2=YELLOW 3=GREEN 4=PINK 5=BLUE

1 2 3

4

3 3

3 5

5 5

How to use a peak flow meter

1 Move the indicator to the bottom of the scale

2 Stand up

3 Take a deep breath

4 Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, close your lips around it Don’t

put your tongue inside the hole

5 Blow once as hard and fast as you can

6 Follow steps 1-5 three times Record the highest number reached in

your peak flow diary (see page 36) This number is your personal best

and helps you know your personal zones

Follow steps 1-6 in the morning and in the evening, everyday at the sametime or as your doctor tells you

Peak Flow Meter Tips

Keep a consistent schedule

Check your peak flow

• Before taking any medicine

• When you feel symptoms 15 minutes before and after taking rescue medicine

• When deciding whether you should go to your clinic or to the emergency room

• As your doctor tells you to

Know your zones

• Talk to your doctor about your personal green, yellow and red zones.These zones will tell you if you need to take medicine, or go to the clinic

or emergency room Your personal zones are based on your personal bestpeak flow meter number

STOP AND GO LIGHT COLOR BY NUMBER

Look for Patterns

If your personal best is lower or higher one day as compared to your

normal peak flow reading, ask yourself the following questions:

• What did I do today?

• Did I cough at night?

• Was I exposed to a new trigger?

Keep a diary of your personal best and any changes in peak flow readings.(see page 36)

Don’t compare

Your personal best is your peak flow number It may be different from

another kid your age and size, like a snowflake

Fill in the letters of “Asthma” with different patterns and colors

A

Q: What is a metered dose inhaler or

dry powder inhaler?

These are also known as a puffer or a spray.

Metered-dose inhalers (MDI) deliver medicines in

a spray or dry powder into the lungs when you

press the inhaler and breathe in

Q: What is a spacer?

A spacer or holding chamber attaches

to your inhaler It increases the

amount of medicine going into the

lungs and decreases the amount left

in your mouth Rinse your holding

chamber with warm soapy water and

let it dry completely

Q: What is a dry powder inhaler?

A dry powder inhaler (DPI) is a device

that gives the medicine in a powder

form instead of a mist or spray

INHALER MAZE — COLOR THE

INHALERS/SPACERS THAT TAKE YOU TO

YOUR PERSONAL BEST

start at the “X” and find your way.

X

Using an MDI with spacer

1 Put the MDI and empty spacer together

2 Shake vigorously

3 Practice breathing - breathe in deeply, breathe out normally

4 Seal lips around spacer mouthpiece (1/2 inch in your mouth)

5 Push down on the MDI Breathe in slowly and deeply while keepingyour mouth on the spacer mouthpiece

6 Hold your breath and count to 10 (in your head) while keeping yourmouth off the spacer mouthpiece and breathe out

7 Wait one minute, then repeat steps 1-6 for each puff you need

8 Practice in front of a mirror

* If you see white mist coming out of your nose or mouth,

you didn’t do it right

Consult your doctor on the number of puffs you need of your prescribed medicine.

Other asthma equipment

If you use any of these, your doctor will help you learn how to use and

take care of them

Q: What is a nebulizer?

• Lets you take asthma medicine in the form of a mist.

• It has a cup used with a mask or mouthpiece that attaches

to a tube from the nebulizer.

• The cup, tubing and mask or mouthpiece must be rinsed

after each use and hung to dry.

• The filter must be changed when it turns gray.

• The cup must be replaced if it cracks Unplug nebulizer

when not in use.

Q: What is a breathing mask?

• Can be fitted onto the mouthpiece of a spacer.

• Helps you take as much of the medicine as possible.

• Comes in different sizes (small, medium and large).

What to do if someone has an asthma attack.

Check the scene for safety

•Check if the person is breathing

• Find the person’s asthma medicine

• Check for other injuries

Call 911 or the local emergency number if the person’s breathing doesnot get better quickly

• Help the person sit up and rest in a comfortable breathing position

• Help the person take asthma medicine

• Stay with the person

• Keep the person from getting chilled or overheated

• Calm and reassure the person

WHAT WOULD YOU DO NEXT?

If someone is having an asthma attack, which of the following is the rightthing to do?

Asthma medicines

It’s important to remember that controlling

triggers can prevent an asthma attack By

controlling triggers and taking medicines

prescribed by your doctor, you can control yourasthma There are two basic groups of medicinesfor asthma

These medicines help relieve sudden asthma

symptoms for a short time Rescue medicines relaxtight muscles in the airways or can be used beforeactivity and allow you to breathe easier for a while

What are some questions and concerns that people have about asthma medicines?

#1 Will using my medicine makes me need my medicine.

When used correctly, asthma medicines areconsidered safe They are not addictive or habitforming

#2 Medicines lose their power over time

The longer you use your “controller” medicines, thebetter your breathing will be Stopping these

medicines may cause scarring in your airways

#3 I don’t need medicine every day — I have an attack every few months

Ask your doctor how serious your asthma is Takingyour medicine every day controls your asthma

#4 My family remedies work better and are cheaper.

Some home remedies may help you feel better forsome symptoms However, if you have been

diagnosed with asthma, they will not help you in thelong run, and may even be dangerous Talk to yourdoctor

My personal zones

Green zone / GO

I don’t have any symptoms of an asthma attack I’ll continue taking the

medicines my doctor ordered every day to prevent an attack

Yellow Zone / Slow down and check

I have more frequent asthma symptoms I may be having an attack and

may need to take medicine prescribed by my healthcare provider

Increase

Add

Red zone / Emergency

I have increased symptoms that have lasted longer than 24 hours I’m

very short to breath My asthma medicines have not reduced my

symptoms I will tell an adult I’m in the red zone or call 911