Living With Asthma

Summary

This video explains that although asthma is a chronic condition, it can be managed and those living with it can lead full lives. The anatomy and physiology of breathing, and how asthma interferes with it is explained. The video introduces the various elements of a management plan, including taking medications, controlling things that can make asthma worse, and monitoring the condition. It explains two classifications of medication – long-term control and quick relief. How to use metered does inhalers is demonstrated. Throughout the program, asthma patients discuss how they have learned to live with their condition.

Details

• The lungs have two basic functions:
  1. They pass oxygen from the air into blood
  2. They remove carbon dioxide from the blood
• The path of air into the lungs:
  1. Air enters our windpipe
  2. The windpipe branches into two bronchial tubes
  3. The bronchial tubes branch into smaller and smaller tubes
  4. End at tiny air sacs, called alveoli, where oxygen is exchanged with carbon dioxide
• The body's natural defenses:
  • Everyone normally breathes in foreign substances
  • Usually the body's natural defenses easily handle these substances

• The lungs of people with asthma are extra sensitive:
  • Foreign substances, called triggers irritate the bronchial tubes, causing inflammation and swelling
  • The more they are irritated, the more inflamed and swollen they become
  • Mucus production increases, and the muscles around the bronchial tubes tighten and contract
  • Air has difficulty getting in, and out
• Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe:
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Tightness in the Chest
• Asthma Triggers:
  • Irritants:
    • Smoke
    • Chemical fumes
    • Strong Odors
  • Asthma patients can have one, two, or many triggers

• Before beginning treatment, your condition must be evaluated:
  • Detailed history taken from you
  • Medical exam
  • Lung function testing
  • Allergy tests
• You and your healthcare team will develop a treatment plan:
  • Treatment plan will help you breathe more easily, and reduce symptoms
  • A treatment plan includes many parts:
    • Medications
    • Controlling things that can make your asthma worse
    • Monitoring Your Condition

• Long-term Control Medications:
  • The best way to prevent symptoms from occurring, and from being severe
  • Need to be taken daily
  • Will not help you feel better immediately, but over time they can prevent symptoms- especially night time attacks and exercise induced episodes
  • Types of Long-Term Control Medications:
    • Long-Term Anti-Inflammatories reduce the chronic swelling, irritation of the airway, and mucus production
    • Long-Acting Bronchodilators help relax the muscles around the airway
    • Leukotrine Modifiers help prevent tissue inflammation, mucus production, and airway constriction
• Quick Relief Medications:
  • Can quickly relieve medications when they occur
  • Can keep attacks from getting out of control
  • Types of Quick Relief Medications:
    • Short-Acting Bronchodilators immediately relax the muscles along the bronchial tubes
    • Oral Steroids can quickly reduce inflamed tissue
• Using An Inhaler:
  • Closed Mouth With A Spacer (described Step by Step)
  • Open Mouth (described Step by Step)
  • Closed Mouth Without A Spacer (described Step by Step)
• Other Medication Guidelines:
  • Cleaning an inhaler
  • Using a Nebulizer
  • Always discuss specific medications and delivery systems
  • Take medications only as prescribed

• Quit smoking and avoid the smoke of others
• Exercise regularly because staying fit helps you better handle everyday activities
• Immunotherapy
  • Involves several injections over a period of time
  • Gradually reduces your sensitivity to allergens

• Changes within you and your surroundings can trigger your asthma
• Have a written plan:
  • Identify warning signs
  • List treatment steps
• Peak Flow Meter:
  • Helps you monitor your breathing capacity
  • Alert you to problems
• Recognizing when an attack is beyond your control:
  • Peak Flow Meter falls to less then half your normal best
  • Quick-Relief Medications have no affect