Asthma

Putting on AIRS is a free program for residents of Connecticut who have a diagnosis of asthma, and who may benefit from a home visit by a Certified Asthma Educator and an Environmental Specialist. Darlene had a home visit on March 4th. Enclosed you’ll find the signed release of information which permits the program to make available the summary of the visit. In addition, find the Asthma Control Test (ACT), taken from the Measures of Asthma Assessment and monitoring document page 67; “Patient Self-Assessment” (EPR-2 1997) that her mom completed at the time of

This results in Hispanics Americans living in very tightly-knit segregated urban communities, in older housing, and lack access to healthcare that can contribute to asthma exacerbation (Bhan et al., 2015). In the State of Connecticut there is a program called, Putting on AIRS or Asthma Indoor Risk Strategies. This program designed to assess environmental risk in the homes for asthmatic children and families. The hope is to reduce the frequency of asthma-related events by identifying environmental triggers. A public health nurse experienced in asthma management, conducts asthma education in the home. There is also an assessment for environmental asthma triggers in the home such as roach infestation or mold. The program follows participants over a six-month time frame, and has been shown to significantly improve outcomes for asthmatics (Nepaul et al.,

Asthma is a respiratory disease that many people deal with every single day. “According to World Health Organization, approximately 180,000 people die from asthma each year.” (Jardins and Burton 187) Most people never think of asthma as a life threatening disease, but it can be crucial. As the number of people with asthma increases, the more likely you are to come in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with this disease. Asthma is a severe breathing problem that has many complications that is dealt with daily like shortness of breath, chronic cough, tightness of the chest and shortness of breath, my main focus is childhood asthma, allergic asthma, and medication to treat asthma.

During this first visit Lisa reviewed in detail using model lungs, and illustrated instructions asthma pathophysiology. As well as, initiated discussion surrounding asthma triggers.

It is still the healthcare provider’s prerogative whether to utilize these guidelines or use an individualized approach, which ever works for the patient. I personally would utilize the stepwise approach first, since it is evidence-based, unless it is not working for the patient, then I would utilize an individualized approach. In addition, identifying trigger factors specific to the patient is vital in minimizing symptoms and exacerbations. A diary or log to note what type of activity, foods eaten, weather condition, presence of pollen, dust, smoke precipitates an attack would help in preventing future attacks by avoiding said factors. Nonpharmacological treatment would include stress reduction techniques, since high levels of stress has been cited as a trigger factor for some asthmatic patients. Preventive measures like, getting vaccinated, avoid smoking, and avoiding trigger factors can make a significant impact in asthma control. Making the patient actively involved in the management of the condition have a better chance of controlling

At various stages of asthma, preventative measures can be used to control or alleviate the symptoms associated with this disease. Education is an important component to every intervention phase, particularly in primary prevention, because the patient is encouraged to be proactive with their personal health in order to avoid and control the triggers. Prescribed medication, such as an inhaler, and an action plan that is individualized to the specific care of a particular patient is essential in the secondary prevention phase. Finally, in the tertiary prevention phase, the care is directed not only at the common asthmatic symptoms and triggers but also at the complications that result from long-term suffering of this disease. This paper focuses on environmental factors which trigger asthma, with specific focus on children from infancy to 16 years of age in low-income housing, and how the appropriate measure can minimize the triggers and symptoms. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is the example we will use.

Asthma is a serious problem nationwide. It is also a significant problem in the state of Massachusetts, especially in communities in Boston. However, according to Harvard School of Public Health and NIEHS Center for Environmental Health, Roxbury and North Dorchester are highly noticeable hotspots (Backus, Terrell, Wool, & Straubel, 2012, p. 23). For the purpose of this paper, the main focus will be on asthma cases in

Asthma is a chronic condition affecting the respiratory system and has a considerable impact on both individuals and a population. Everybody is susceptible to asthma, some more than others, depending of a variety of factors including, age, sex, geographical location and income. Asthma is particularly prevalent in younger children and the elderly and while it can be fatal, most people have mild cases of asthma that are relatively easy to treat. The condition mainly impacts an individual’s physical ability to contribute to a community.

A screening template can be developed that can assist the nurse in performing a thorough assessment of an asthmatic patient. This questionnaire should be at an appropriate education level and question should be simple and direct. The questions should focus on the presence or absence of symptoms, activity limitations, exacerbations, missed workdays, and frequency of use of prescribed medications.

According to the CDC (2011), approximately 60% of persons who had asthma were taught how to recognize symptoms and early signs of an asthma attack, and 68.1% were taught the correct response to it. Yet, 34.2% of persons with asthma stated having a written action plan, 12.2 % persons reported taking an education class to learn ways to manage their asthma, and 42.2% persons were actuality taught how to correctly use a peak flow meter (CDC, 2011). An estimated 49.3% of respondents with asthma were advised to modify their living conditions at home, work, or school environments to lower the exposure to specific asthma triggers (CDC, 2011).

When asthma strikes, it can be very scary especially when it gets harder and harder to breath every second. Your lung airways may swell because of some inhaled allergens causing you to feel like catching your breath every time.

While unfortunately asthma is not a curable disease, for most asthmatics its can be well controlled meaning there will less symptoms or flare-ups and limits to your life. With correct medication, knowledge about the disease and skills, asthma shouldn’t stop you. There are many treatment options available when it comes to asthma. Asthma treatments vary from your basic asthma inhalers to steroids and other anti-inflammatory medicines and asthma nebulizer (Breathing Machine). (Anon., n.d.) The role that medical practitioners play with asthma is a very precise job. This role includes assessment, diagnosis, prescription of regular medications, provision of written action plans, and regular review as well as managing asthma flare-ups. Asthma-related visits to a general practitioner may occur for a variety of reasons, including: the acute or reactive management of asthma symptoms, a visit for maintenance activities, such as monitoring and prescription of regular medications and referral to other health professionals. (Anon.,

Currently, physicians will perform a variety of tests to diagnose asthma. Physical exams are done to cross out respiratory infections and COPD. Pulmonary function tests are given to conclude how much air moves in and out of lungs as breathing occurs. Spirometry and Peak flow meters are utilized to perform lung function tests. Patients will need to sit in front of a machine to be fitted with a mouth piece. The mouthpiece needs to fit snug for the reason that all the air that the patient breathes goes into the machine. Patients will also need to wear a nose clip so that air won’t come out through their nose. The physician or RT will instruct the patient to breathe in and out deeply and quickly for several seconds. The

The immediate nursing care of patients with asthma depends on the clinical manifestations, severity of symptoms and response to treatment.

To investigate the problem, a sample of nine studies was used, including a number of common characteristics. The purpose of all the studies was to provide education to children suffering from asthma in order to help them understand the condition and improve their ability to manage it by means of self-care. Of the studies, six took place within the past 5 years. In terms of focus groups, the studies were also heterogeneous in terms of the age