A. Asthma is a life-long disorder of the lungs and airways
B. It is characterized by airway inflammation or swelling combined with
excessive airway tightness, resulting in a restriction of airflow into and
out of the lungs
C. Asthma has a recurring pattern of periodic episodes of difficult breath-
ing alternating with periods of relief
D. Asthma involves many cells and cellular elements within the body that
play a role in its long-term effects
E. During an asthma episode, you may feel like you cannot catch your
breath and you may cough, wheeze or feel chest tightness
F. Symptoms occur more frequently at night or in the early morning
G. Characterized by sudden periodic episodes of difficulty
1. Often referred to as “attacks,” they are usually related to exposure to a
trigger (a certain substance that a person’s airways are sensitive to)
2. The most common triggers include:
a. Strong emotional expression (laughing or crying hard)
b. Aspirin and other medications
c. Smoke (tobacco, wood)
d. Changes in weather
e. Pollen
f. Dust
g. Animal fur and
dander
h. Feathers
i. Molds
j. Grass
k. Viruses
l. Cold air
m. Exercise
A. Incidence & Prevalence
1. Asthma is a common disorder that affects 15 to 17 million people in
the United States
2. Thought to occur in 6.2% of the US population
3. Most common chronic disease of childhood, affecting an estimated 4.8
million children
4. Causes approximately 100 million days of restricted activities each year.
5. Asthma precipitates more than 2 million adult emergency department
visits each year
6. 500,000 hospitalizations occur annually due to exacerbation of asthma
symptoms; ranks as the 6th leading cause of hospital admissions
7. More than 5,000 deaths due to asthma occur each year in the United
States – most are preventable
B. Costs: Total economic impact of asthma is $6.2 billion – including hos-
pitalizations, emergency department visits, outpatient visits and lost
school and workdays
C. The Asthma Trend
1. Self-reported asthma has increased by 75% from 1980 to 1994
2. Asthma among children is a growing problem with a 72% increase
between 1982 and 1994
3. Death and disability related to asthma has increased dramatically over
the past 20 years
D. The History of Asthma Management
1. Many patients and their physicians underestimate asthma's severity
2. For more than 35 years, asthma was considered to be an episodic, re-
versible airway constriction
3. Advances in medical research have shown that asthma should be con-
sidered a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by at
least partially reversible airway constriction
4.The severity of symptoms do not often correlate with the objective
physical findings
5.Despite the availability of effective anti-asthmatic medications, many
people have asthma that is not well controlled
6. Inadequate treatment and inappropriate therapy are the major contrib-
utors to asthma illness and death
7. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute published new guidelines
in 1997 as a means to improve the detection and treatment of asthma
8. The four key components for asthma control in the NHLBI guidelines are:
a. Assessment and monitoring (how to detect and watch the trend of
asthma)
b. Pharmacological therapy (medications used to maintain long-term
control of asthma symptoms)
c. Control of factors contributing to asthma severity (identifying and
removing triggers for asthma)
d. Individual education for a partnership in asthma care (developing an
individualized care plan written by the patient and physician to help
the asthmatic person take control of their disease)
SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
A. What happens when you breathe?
1. When you breathe in, air travels
through your nose and/or mouth
through a tube called the trachea (al-
so known as the “windpipe”)
2. Air enters a series of smaller tubes that
branch off from the trachea; these
branched smaller tubes are the
bronchi, and they divide further into
smaller tubes called the bronchioles
3. It is in the bronchi and the bronchioles
that asthma has its main effects; there
are three components that result in
difficulty breathing:
a. When the airways come into contact
with an asthma trigger, the tissue in-
side the bronchi and bronchioles be-
come inflamed (inflammation)
b. At the same time, the muscles on
the outside of the airways tighten
(constriction or bronchospasm),
causing the airways to narrow
c. A thick fluid (mucus) enters the airways, which become swollen and
may be partially or completely plugged by the mucus
B. Inflammation
1. Inflammation occurs when an exposure to an asthma trigger causes
cells within the airways of the lung to release strong substances that re-
sult in airway tissue swelling
2. Swelling of the airway wall causes it to become more rigid and inter-
feres with airflow
3. This inflammation results in a complex interaction within the lung’s
airways, resulting in bronchospasm
4. Inflammation of the airways is an early and persistent component of asthma
5. Persistent, inadequately treated inflammation may lead to permanent
changes in the airway structure
C. Bronchospasm
1. Bronchospasm is an exaggerated tightening of the
airways resulting in a smaller sized opening for air
to pass in and out of the lungs during breathing
2. Bronchospasm is also referred to as airway
hyperresponsiveness
3. The propensity for airways to narrow too easily
and to “mush” is a major feature of asthma
4. Bronchospasm may result from exposure to an
asthma trigger
5. The level of airway narrowing usually correlates
with the severity of the asthma attack
D. Mucus Production
1. Increased mucus production results when glands within the airways
release an excess of thick mucus during an attack
2. Although this is meant to protect the lung from a trigger, this thick,
abundant mucus results in further narrowing of the airways, even to
the point that the mucus actually clogs a small airway completely
PHYSICAL CHANGES
CARBON
DIOXIDEDIOXIDE
OXYGENOXYGEN
WHAT IS ASTHMA?
Trachea
Primary
bronchi
Secondary
bronchi
Bronchiole
& lobule
Bronchiole
Alveoli
Alveolus
Capillaries
BRONCHOSPASM
Bronchiole
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
NORMAL GAS EXCHANGE
BarCharts, Inc.® WORLD’S #1 QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
1
Asthma doesn’t have to put major limits on your life. There are many things that
you can do to take control of your asthma and minimize its impact.
A. Know Your Asthma Symptoms: Any one of these symptoms may mean
you have asthma, or may be having an attack; you can have one or more
of these symptoms or even different ones
1. Wheezing
2. Difficulty catching your breath
3. Coughing
4. Tightness in the chest
5. Feeling tired
6. Trouble exhaling
7. Waking up often in the middle of the night
8. Heavy breathing
B. Track Your Triggers: Each case of asthma is unique; learn what can
trigger an asthma episode for you; go over the list of common asth-
ma triggers and check off the ones that set off your asthma episode
or make them worse
r Air pollution – smoke or fumes
r Aspirin or other medications
r Breathing cold air, air conditioning
r Changes in the weather
r Cockroaches, their feces and dried body parts
r Colds, other respiratory infections
r Dust or dust mites
r Exercise, playing hard or using stairs
r High humidity
r Mold, mildew
r Perfume, body deodorants
r Pet fur or dander
r Pollen
r Stress
r Strong chemical smells – paint, cleaning fumes
r Strong emotional responses – laughing or crying
r Tobacco smoke
r Other
If you are not sure what triggers your asthma, it will help to keep a log
of your asthma attacks such as the one below:
C. Limit Exposure to Asthma Triggers:
1. Pets
a. Keep pets away from the bedroom
b. Keep pets away from carpets or upholstery
c. Have pets bathed weekly
d. Keep pets outside
e. Find new homes for pets
DATE & TIME OF ATTACK
1122//22//22000033
22 PPMM
WHERE WERE YOU?
IINN TTHHEE
BBAASSEEMMEENNTT
AATT HHOOMMEE
WHAT YOU WERE DOING?
GGEETTTTIINNGG OOUUTT TTHHEE
HHOOLLIIDDAAYY
DDEECCOORRAATTIIOONNSS
SPECIAL DETAILS
DDUUSSTTYY,, DDAAMMPP
AANNDD CCOOLLDD
(Correlates to Measurement and Monitoring of the NHLBI 1997 Recommendations)
A. Initial Assessment: When your physician is considering the possibility
you may have asthma, he will most likely take the following steps:
1. Obtain a detailed medical history from you, looking for the following
indicators:
a. Wheezing: High-pitched whistling sounds when breathing out.
b. A recurrent history of cough (that is worse at night), difficulty
breathing and chest tightness
c. Symptoms that occur or worsen in the presence of any of the
triggers listed on previous page
d. Family history: The doctor may ask if any of your family members
have problems with asthma or allergies
e. Your physician may ask you many questions about your home,
including how old it is, how it is heated and cooled, whether you
have carpet or concrete and if you have any pets
f. He/she will also ask if anyone smokes in your home or around you
g. Your doctor will ask you about your job or school to determine if
there are exposures outside the home that may trigger asthma
2. Perform a physical examination
a. Physical examination focuses on the upper respiratory tract, chest
and skin
b. The physician will look for over-expansion of the chest with the ap-
pearance of hunched shoulders and chest deformity
c. Assessment of the number of chest, neck and abdominal muscles
used to breath in and out
d. He/she will listen for the sounds of wheezing and for prolonged time
spent breathing out (exhalation)
e. An asthmatic person may have increased nasal secretions and
swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth
f. The physician will also look for any signs of an allergic skin condi-
tion, such as dermatitis or eczema
3. Diagnostic Testing
a. Spirometry Measurements
1) A painless breathing test that measures your lung power
2) You may be asked to repeat this breathing test after inhaling some
medication; this helps determine whether there is airflow obstruc-
tion and whether it is reversible
3) Generally used in adults and children over age 4
4) Typically measures Forced Vital Capacity or FVC, the maximal
volume of air forcibly exhaled from the peak of inhalation
5) Also measures Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second or FEV1,
the volume of air exhaled during the first second of the FVC
b. These additional studies are not routine, but may be considered:
1) Further pulmonary function studies: An expansion of the painless
breathing test
2) Chest x-ray: A radiographic image of your chest
3) Allergy testing: Skin testing to determine what you are allergic to
c. The presence of multiple key indicators along with the spirometry
measurements are needed to determine the likelihood of asthma
B. Determining the Severity of Asthma: Once your physician has determined
that you have asthma, it may be classified into one of the following
categories, based upon how asthma is affecting you; this will deter-
mine which treatment is best suited for you
1. Mild intermittent asthma:
a. Symptoms 2 or fewer times a week
b. No symptoms between episodes
c. Episodes usually brief
2. Mild persistent asthma:
a. Symptoms more than twice a week, but less than once a day
b. Episodes may affect physical activity
3. Moderate persistent asthma:
a. Daily symptoms
b. Asthma episodes 2 or more times a week (some may last days)
c. Episodes interfering with physical activity
4. Severe persistent asthma:
a. Symptoms most of the time
b. Physical activity limited
c. Frequent asthma episodes
C. All that Wheezes is Not Asthma
1. Although wheezing is a key symptom of asthma, there are other things
that must be considered before labeling a person as an asthmatic, or an
episode of breathlessness as an asthma attack
2. For instance, if a child in respiratory distress with an audible wheeze
is automatically labeled asthmatic, you could miss the presence of a
foreign body that has become lodged in the upper airway with detri-
mental or deadly consequences
3. It is important to consider the history, current symptoms and health ex-
amination findings as a whole, not assuming anything without putting
these all together
INDICATIONS 4. Some other conditions may also result in wheezing:
a. Foreign body aspiration
b. Cystic fibrosis
c. Croup, or other viral infections of the upper airway
d. Inflammation of the epiglottis
e. Tuberculosis
f. Habitual cough
g. Congestive heart failure
h. Chronic obstructive lung disease
i. Allergic reaction to an inhaled substance
D. Goals of Asthma Therapy:
1. Prevent chronic and troublesome symptoms
2. Maintain near normal or normal lung function
3. Maintain normal activity levels
4. Prevent recurrent exacerbations of asthma and minimize the need for
emergency department visits or hospitalizations
5. Provide optimal medication management with few or no side effects
6. Meet the patient’s and family’s expectations of asthma care
E. Periodic Assessment and Monitoring:
1. Once your physician has determined that you have asthma and its
severity, it is important that you are monitored in an ongoing manner
2. Ongoing monitoring will determine whether the goals of therapy are
being met
TAKING CONTROL
2
2. Cockroaches
a. Do not leave food out
b. Empty the garbage every night
c. Exterminate your home with poison baits or traps rather than
chemical agents
3. Mold and Mildew
a. Reduce indoor humidity by installing a dehumidifier
b. Clean tubs, sinks and showers regularly with a bleach containing cleanser
c. Avoid damp places, such as basements
d. Clean heating and air conditioning ducts regularly
e. Replace worn carpet
4. Dust Mites
a. Encase your bed mattress and pillows in an allergen-impermeable cover
b. Wash sheets and blankets weekly in hot water
c. Avoid feather pillows and down comforters
d. Reduce indoor humidity
e. Remove carpet from the bedrooms
f. Avoid lying down on a carpeted floor or upholstered couch
g. Ask someone to vacuum for you or use a dust mask while vacuuming
h. Dust with a damp cloth weekly
i. Clean curtains and shades often
j. For children, minimize the number of stuffed toys and wash the toys
weekly in hot water
5. For Pollen
a. Limit time spent outdoors during the season in which you have the
greatest problem with allergies
b. Use air conditioning rather than opening windows
c. Stay inside during the midday and afternoon when the pollen count
is highest
d. Avoid hanging laundry outside to dry
6. For Allergies
a. Consider allergy testing
b. Ask your physician about special treatment for allergies
7. For Infections
a. Ask your physician about an annual flu shot
b. Treat cold symptoms and respiratory infections promptly
8. For Cold Air
a. Breathe through your nose while outdoors so air is warmed
b. Wear a scarf around your face on extremely cold days
9. For Smoke and other Irritants
a. Avoid tobacco smoke!
b. Limit use of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces
c. Avoid strong-smelling products and perfumes
10. Exercise
a. If possible, avoid exertion outside when levels of air pollution or
pollen counts are high
b. Speak to your physician about pre-medication prior to exercise or
exertion
11. Aspirin Sensitivity
a. Use safe alternative medications in place of aspirin
b. Speak to your physician about what over-the-counter medications
should be avoided
12. Occupational Exposure
a. Be aware of the possibility you may be exposed to asthma triggers
in your workplace
b. Discuss avoidance, ventilation, respiratory protection and tobac-
co smoke-free environment with on-site health care providers or
managers
A. Long-term or maintenance medication prevent asthma attacks
1. Used daily as prescribed even if you feel no symptoms
2. Not used for rescue therapy during an asthma attack
3. Does not help reverse an asthma attack, but can prevent one
4. Inhaled steroids are the mainstay of maintenance care or prevention
5. May also use the following medications for maintenance:
a. Long-acting bronchodilators – smooth muscle relaxation
b. Most cell stabilizers
c. Leukotriene modifiers – pills used to prevent airway inflammation
d. Methylxanthines – pill or injection through a vein to counteract
bronchospasm and inflammation
e. Allergy medications - as a pill or injection
B. Short-term or Rescue Therapy
1.Used to treat acute episodes/attacks
2.Work by relaxing the muscle around the airways that tighten during an
asthma attack, allowing the air tubes to open
3.Short-acting bronchodilators (3 types)
a. Beta2 agonists
1) Preferred rescue therapy
2) Inhaled agent (MDI [see below]or nebulizer treatment)
3) Side effects include rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and tremors
b. Anticholinergic agents
c. Combination drugs
MEDICATIONS
4. Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDI’s)
a. Metered-dose inhalers are a primary means
of delivering asthma medications
b. Metered-dose inhalers are devices designed
to release a premeasured amount of medi-
cation into the air
c. They are not all alike, but in general they
have a chamber that holds the medication and
a propellant that turns the medication into a fine
mist
d. When properly used, the MDI gets the medication in-
to the airways where it is needed quickly, but when used
incorrectly, symptoms may persist and worsen, leading to a severe
asthma attack
e. Using a spacer attached to the MDI results in better delivery of the
medication to airways; the spacer holds the discharged, premeasured
cloud of medication mist in a chamber until the patient breathes in.
f. How Do I Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler?
1) Before using any MDI, review the product instructions and ask
your physician, nurse or pharmacist for help, if needed
2) Remove the cap and look inside to see that nothing is blocking the
mouthpiece
3) Hold the inhaler upright with the mouthpiece at the bottom and
shake it
4) Attach to the spacer chamber (if you are using one)
5) Tilt your head back slightly and breathe out fully
6) Place the inhaler or chamber mouthpiece between your lips and
seal it around the opening
7) Press down on the inhaler to release the medication as you start to
breathe in
8) Breathe in slowly and steadily; take 3 - 5 seconds for each breath
9) Hold your breath for 10 seconds to allow the medication to settle
in the lungs
10) Breathe out slowly
11) Repeat puffs as prescribed by your physician
12) If a steroid inhaler is used, rinse your mouth after use
g. The Future of MDI’s
1) Most MDI’s deliver premeasured doses of medicine to the lungs
using the propellant chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs
2) Too many CFCs can damage the ozone layer around the earth, so
the Environmental Protection Agency has given manufacturers
several years to develop alternative ways to deliver medications
3) Several innovations are under way:
4) Hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant is environmentally safe; this
form of MDI tastes less bitter and comes in a smaller canister size
than the CFC MDI’s
5) Dry-powder inhalers (DPI) deliver medication without a propellant
• This device releases a fine cloud of dry powder when the patient
closes his lips around the mouthpiece and breathes in
h. Other Guidelines for Using MDI’s:
1) Using an MDI requires some practice initially
2) Over time, you may find your MDI use less precise
• It is recommended that you practice the steps as outlined above ev-
ery few months to ensure that you are using this device correctly
• If you feel the inhaler spray land on your tongue or on the back
of your throat, the medication is not reaching your lungs
• You may want to practice the steps to improve your timing or
demonstrate your technique for your physician
3) A 200-puff canister should last 30 days
4) If you use more than one type of MDI, clearly label each so that
you use them as indicated; for example, label inhaled corticos-
teroid MDI’s as daily and bronchodilators as quick relief treatment
5) Clean spacers often
6) If you have trouble using an MDI, ask your physician for
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