A STHMA Juan Vazquez Senior Practice Nurse Church End Medical Centre Patient Participation Group

D EFINITION OF A STHMA Asthma is a common respiratory condition that affects the airways of the lungs (At least 1 in 10 children and 1 in 20 adults have asthma). From time to time the airways narrow in people who have asthma causing traditional symptoms The typical symptoms are wheeze, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways.

T RIGGERS OF ASTHMA What makes asthma symptoms worse? Infections, pollens Exercise Certain medicines Smoking Feather pillows or mattresses Emotions Allergies to pets or house dust mites Exposure to Damp air  Triggers are different to different people

D IAGNOSIS OF A STHMA History is vital/probability of asthma More than one of the symptoms Frequent and recurrent, occurs apart from “colds” Are worse at night and in the early morning Link to triggers Personal of family history of atopic disorders (Asthma, hay fever and eczema) Wheezing on auscultation Symptoms improvement with with treatment Clinical assessment including Spirometry or Peakflow

T REATMENT OF A STHMA Stepwise approach “Adapting the inhalers to the symptoms and/or symptoms to inhalers” A typical person with asthma may take a preventer inhaler every day (to prevent symptoms developing), and use a reliever inhaler as and when required (if symptoms flare up). Individual treatment plan, self-management and what to do when

W HAT DOES IT MEAN IN NUMBERS ? There are 5.4 million people with asthma in the UK. 421 asthma in CEMC % asthma patient reviewed in the last year but QOF target only 70%. The NHS spends around 1 billion a year treating and caring for people with asthma.

R EMEMBER, A STHMA CAN BE DANGEROUS Every 10 seconds someone is having a potentially life-threatening asthma attack in the UK. In 2014 (the most recent data available) 1216 people died from asthma. Tragically two thirds of these deaths are preventable The UK has among the highest prevalence rates of asthma symptoms in children worldwide.

I MPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER Individual treatment plan what to do when and self- management (Three time per week rule) It is vital that you learn how to use your inhalers correctly. Regular Annual review at least but See a doctor or nurse if symptoms are not fully controlled See a doctor urgently if you develop severe symptoms You should have an Flu jab every autumn

R EFERENCES library/clinical-information/asthma/btssign- asthma-guideline-quick-reference-guide and-statistics