department of athletics policies & procedures - UNC Wilmington ...

Asthma and Metered Dose Inhaler Policy
PURPOSE: The following policy was developed to provide standard guidelines for the
acute care of an asthma attack. This policy has been developed in accordance with the
University Of North Carolina Wilmington Department of Athletic Training’s Mission
Statement to provide quality healthcare services and assure the well-being of each
student-athlete at UNCW.
POLICY STATEMENT: The UNCW Department of Athletic Training has developed
the following asthma action plan for managing and urgently referring all patients who
may experience significant or life-threatening attacks. This plan is based on the
recommendations contained in the National Athletic Trainers Association Position
Statement regarding the Management of Asthma in Athletes.
Asthma Introduction
Although the exact causes of asthma are unknown, several factors, including exercise,
may induce an asthma attack. The majority of patients with asthma and patients with
allergies will have exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB). Athletes are more often seen
with asthmatic symptoms than expected from the general population (23% vs. 4%,
respectively), perhaps because of their repeated and strong exposure to aeroallergens
and/or cold air during exercise and loss of heat and water. This effect results in
heightened bronchial hypersensitivity. EIB usually occurs during or minutes after
vigorous activity, reaches its peak 5-10 minutes after stopping the activity, and usually
resolves in another 20-30 minutes.
PROCEDURE:
1. All athletes must receive preparticipation screening evaluations and peak flow
assessment sufficient to identify the possible presence of asthma.
2. Athletic trainers should be aware of the major signs and symptoms suggesting
asthma, as well as the following associated conditions:
a. chest tightness
b. coughing (especially at night)
c. prolonged shortness of breath (dyspnea)
d. difficulty sleeping
e. wheezing (especially after exercise)
f. inability to catch one’s breathe
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