1 Asthma

2 Disease of the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs Asthma causes: –Airways to narrow –Lining to swell –Cells to produce more mucus

3 Airway Obstruction Bands of muscle surrounding the airways tighten –air cannot move freely Causes wheezing Airway narrowing is reversible –SIGNIFICANT!!

4 Inflammation People with asthma have red and swollen bronchial tubes Contributes to the long-term damage that asthma can cause

5 Airway Irritability Airways of people with asthma are extremely sensitive Airways tend to overreact and narrow to triggers

6 Who Gets Asthma? Affects 12 to 15 million Americans More common in people under age 40 Family history Allergies Exposure to cigarette smoke Anyone, anytime !!

7 Common Symptoms Coughing Wheezing Shortness of breath Chest tightness, pain or pressure

8 Asthma Attack Sudden worsening of asthma symptoms More and thicker mucus is produced Difficulty breathing Difficulty performing normal daily activities

9 Other Symptoms Wheezing with breathing both in & out Coughing won’t stop Very rapid breathing Difficulty talking Feelings of panic or anxiety Blue lips or fingernails Worsening symptoms despite meds

10 Early Warning Signs Reduced peak flow readings Feeling very tired or weak when exercising Signs of a cold or allergies Trouble sleeping

11 Diagnosis of Asthma Pulmonary function tests Chest and sinus xrays Allergy tests

12 Metacholine Challenge Test Used more commonly in adults Metacholine –causes airways to spasm and narrow if asthma is present Bronchodilator given after the test

13 Mild Intermittent Asthma Symptoms less than twice a week Rare asthma attacks Infrequent nighttime asthma symptoms

14 Mild Persistent Asthma Symptoms more than twice a week, but less than once a day Have asthma attacks Nighttime symptoms of asthma more than twice a month

15 Moderate Persistent Asthma Symptoms occur daily Asthma attacks affect their activity; attack may last several days Nighttime symptoms of asthma more than once a week

16 Severe Persistent Asthma Continual symptoms occur day and night Limited activity Frequent asthma attacks

17 Focus of Asthma Treatment Use of long-term control medications Use of quick-relief medications Avoidance of asthma triggers Monitoring daily asthma symptoms Monitoring peak flows

18 Anti-inflammatory Drugs These drugs prevent asthma on an ongoing basis Reduce swelling and reduce mucus production –airways are less sensitive –airways are less likely to react to triggers

19 Bronchodilators Relieve the symptoms of asthma by relaxing the muscle bands that tighten around the airways –breathing improves –mucus gets cleared from the lungs

20 Metered Dose Inhaler MDI Burst of medication –breathe in deeply Spacer holds the medication until it can be breathed in Also can use MDI without spacer

21 Metered Dose Inhaler The number of puffs is printed on the side of the canister –for example, 200 puffs –if use 4 puffs per day, it will last 50 days –mark on calendar Rinse plastic holder with warm water every 1-2 days

22 Dry Powder Inhaler DPI No propellants, only medication –breath-activated Some have to be loaded each time Some have a set number of doses in the device –Diskus inhaler (ADVAIR)

23 Nebulizer Breathing machine Changes asthma medication from a liquid to a mist Most require electrical source Some are portable

24 Asthma & Exercise Don’t avoid exercise Prevent attack by warming up before and cooling down after Limit outside exercise –high pollen days –temperature low –air pollution high

25 Alternative Treatments Herbs and vitamins Yoga Diet Acupuncture Biofeedback

26 Avoid Dust Mites Zippered covers Hot water Vacuum often Damp dust Washable stuffed animals No feathers Change filters

27 Avoid Mold Dehumidifier Clean bathrooms with products that kill mold No indoor plants in bedrooms Add mold inhibitor to paint Avoid sources of outdoor mold –wet leaves, garden debris