COMPREHENSIVE DISEASE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA

Course overview

Course Objectives: 1.Describe four reasons why asthma is increasing in the U.S. 2.Discuss the role of the Respiratory Therapist in treating patients with asthma 3.Explain the four components of a comprehensive disease management program for people with asthma 4.Discuss the current treatments for people with asthma 5.Discuss current research trends in asthma 6. INTRODUCTION Asthma is a condition that affects the lungs. Both children and adults can acquire asthma. Some children are born with the condition, while others acquire it later in life. In addition, some adults acquire asthma later in life as well. The Center for Disease Control states that at present the cause and cure for asthma are both unknown, but it can be managed. The primary symptoms of asthma are described as follows: Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing at night or early in the morning. If you have asthma, you have it all the time, but you will have asthma attacks only when something bothers your lungs . The most common issue with asthma is that it causes breathing ¿attacks¿. The lungs become blocked and the person feels as if they are choking. The symptoms listed above are the most common. The primary problem is that less air is coming into the lungs and mucus forms which cause the airways to be even more blocked up. In order to control these symptoms, doctors prescribe an asthma management program which is geared towards the specific individual. In the treatment of people with asthma, it is important for all practitioners to remember that people experience different triggers for their attacks, not all people experience the same symptoms, and not everyone responds to the same treatments (or takes the same medication). Illness is a highly individual experience, and although there will be similarities, some people may experience certain symptoms due to co-morbidity with another condition, or other factors in their life such s extreme stress, obesity, and many others.