Asthma Treatment

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway that impacts a person’s and their family’s quality of life. In people with asthma, their airway becomes constricted with swelling and excessive mucous. This constriction or narrowing of the airway makes it difficult for the person with asthma to breath (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2009). If asthma is left uncontrolled, it leads to further wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, tiredness, and stress. (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2009).

Martin Wright developed the mechanical peak flow meter in 1959, it has been used to monitor serial lung function in asthmatics because it is inexpensive, compact, easy to use, and it provides an objective measure of lung function (Ayala et.al, 2014, p.84). Moreover, the peak flow meter has evolved since its creation almost 60 years ago, in terms of both size and precision. In addition, patients can be taught to use the peak flow meter and monitor their own lung function to determine when to use different medications as directed by an asthma action plan, which is constructed by the patient’s physician and or caregivers. A Peak flow meter is a portable

These medications are essential in ensuring that Jessica recovers and does not have another asthma attack. This is because orally Prednisolone is an effective treatment of asthma, as it is absorbed quickly and efficiently (Chung et al. 2011, p.240). Prednisolone a corticosteroid is effective in asthma treatment due to the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects (“Prednisolone/prednisone”, 2017). This form of medication is effective to Jessica because she has been exposed to lots of histamines due to being exposed to an asthma trigger, because of this corticosteroid suppress the inflammatory response leading to a decrease in mucus production and narrowing of Jessica’s airways (“Corticosteroids”, 2017). However, Prednisolone is an effective treatment for Jessica in the short term, it may negatively affect her if taken for a long period (“Prednisolone/prednisone”, 2017). This is because Prednisolone has ‘potential serious adverse reactions such as weight change, growth retardation, osteoporosis and adrenal suppression’ (“Prednisolone”, 2011). Prednisolone is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and metabolised in the liver, and excreted in the urine (“Prednisolone”, 2011). In addition, Prednisolone often reaches its peak plasma concentrations one to two hours

Bunting BA, Cranor CW. The Asheville project: long-term clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes of community-based medication therapy management program for asthma. J Am Pharm Assoc 2006;46:133-147

The first step of asthma intervention is having it diagnosed. Usually either the primary care provider diagnoses the

The types and doses of asthma medications a person needs will depend on their age and symptoms. Asthma medication have types: long-term medications and quick-relief medications. Long-term medicine are taken regularly to control the symptoms and prevent attacks. While quick-relief medicine are rescue medications and its taken as needed for rapid, short-term relief of symptoms, it's used to prevent and treat an asthma attack. The main goal of the treatment is to control it. The doctor will decide which asthma medicines the person should use. The medicine comes in several brands and various forms such as sprays, pills, powders, liquids and shots, but most are taken using an inhaler. An inhaler allows the medicine to go directly to your lungs. Here mention are some medication/devices for asthma: bronchodilators, Cromolyn, nedocromil, metered-dose inhaler, dry powder inhalers, and nebulizers. As an example of how one of the devices, dry powder inhaler in this case, are used. Simply slide the lever away from until a sound of a click is heard. Meanings the medicine has been released. Then place the inhaler in your mouth as you next seal your lips tightly around it. Next take a quick, deep breath in for 10 seconds, and then exhale out. Finally they rinse their mouth with water and spit water

The key to living with asthma successfully is to keep it under control. Limit contact with asthma triggers by controlling your environment, monitoring your condition with a peak flow meter, and following the treatment plan strictly. It could be hard to follow all these important safety points in mind, but they are worth

Asthma is a serious, chronic and widespread disease that affects more than 300 million people around the world. There is no cure for asthma, and it can affect anyone, male or female, children or adult.

Nurses come across patients with diverse health conditions; some of them possess chronic conditions and others with acute ailments. Each health condition has its own steps of treatment and/or management. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. When the lungs are inflamed it causes trouble in inhaling (CDC, 2009). In the United States, asthma affects between 14 and 15 million individuals (Dinelli & Higgins, 2002). Several allergens and irritants, such as animals dander, pollen grains, particular chemicals, insect parts, smoke, and dust, that are widespread in our atmosphere, and can cause and increase the severity of this disease.

This includes educating patients and family members regarding way to avoid exposure to irritants that are known to trigger an asthma attack (Grossman, 2014). A detailed history and physical is needed to rule out contributory factors such as nasal polyps, aspirin sensitivity, and gastroesophageal reflux (Grossman, 2014). Included in the prevention method, the annual influenza vaccination is recommended for people with persistent asthma (Grossman, 2014). Other methods include nonpharmacological management such as relaxation techniques and controlled breathing, which helps reduce the panic and anxiety that worsens respiratory asthma attacks (Grossman, 2014). The hyperventilation during anxiety and panic attacks are also known to act as an asthmatic trigger (Grossman, 2014). In children, encouraging independence for symptom control and cultivating positive self-concept are critical for disease management (Grossman,

With an increasing prevalence that is estimated at 10% of children in the USA. It occasionally provides physicians with a challenge as moderate to severe persistent asthma represents 5-10% of all Asthma patients. Asthma is defined as airway hyperreactivity leading to edema, spasms and eventually narrowing of the airways. This presents in patients as cough, difficulty breathing and chest tightness that occasionally could be severe enough to bring the asthmatic to the emergency department or even require admission. Inflammation and mechanical narrowing are both contributory factors to the development of symptoms. Therapy approach generally focuses on controlling these two factors in an acute or chronic setting. Despite maximum standard therapy some patients will still not be able to maintain a controlled state of their disease where they are able to function

The utilization of quick relief systemic corticosteroids are rife, the corticosteroids lessen airways inflammation, and the usage is for short-term with about one to two week, provided as intravenously or in oral form, the utmost rife medication comprises of Dexamethasone, Prednisolone, Methylprednisolone and Prednisone (Alangari, 2014). According to Arcangelo and Peterson (2013), the utmost operational and frequently utilized long-term symptoms preclusion, subjugation, rheostat, and volte-face of inflammation is the usage of the inhaled steroids; with approximately two weeks interval for the medication to attain the greatest efficacy. Mapel and Robert (2014), the Inhaled corticosteroids labor to disperse medication bluntly into the lungs with the occurrence of acute asthma exacerbation to decrease inflammation and

Access to care is essential in managing asthma. The patient and their caregiver should receive education regarding the basic facts about asthma. A patient whose asthma is well managed will be able to define what asthma is, and what it means to have well-controlled asthma. He or she should be knowledgeable about their medications and to be able to take them correctly. The patient should be able to monitor their symptoms and know how to treat them. Patient should also be aware of what environmental exposures trigger their asthma. These patient will also follow their established asthma plan and see their provider regularly.

In an article by morbidity and mortality weekly, it states that, “Guidelines issued by the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) specify essential components of asthma management, including patient education, objective monitoring of symptoms, and avoiding asthma triggers.” (MMWR, 2007). People with asthma should have proper management to prevent further damage to their bodies. Asthma management plan should be a person’s first priority and it is also a best management plan to prevent symptoms. Making a management plan can be done by yourself just keeping your triggers in mind. An effective plan should allow you to live an active life without having asthma symptoms, exercise without complications, a good sleep at night, attend

Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol Xinafoate (Advair Diskus 250 mcg/50 mcg) is an example of a combination long acting inhaled corticosteroid and a long acting bronchodilator. Turkoski, Lance, and Bonfiglio (2010), state the corticosteroid Fluticasone Propionate promotes “vasoconstrictive and anti-inflammatory activity [in the lungs]” ( p.799) These authors also explain Salmeterol Xinafoate “relaxes bronchial smooth muscle by acting on beta2receptors” [in the lungs] (p. 1618). Davis et al. (2017) found that patients in their study who did not adhere to long acting inhaled corticosteroid and a long acting bronchodilator therapy had significantly higher rates of COPD exacerbations; and subsequently much higher healthcare