1. AsthmaAsthma
Luana Cardoso

2. What is Asthma?
∗ Chronic disease of the airways that may
cause
∗Wheezing
∗Breathlessness
∗Chest tightness
∗Nighttime or early morning coughing

3. What is Asthma?
Source: “What You and Your Family Can Do About Asthma” by the Global Initiative For Asthma
Created and funded by NIH/NHLBI, 1995
Normal Asthma
Asthma
involves
inflammation of
the airways

4. Current asthma prevalence
∗ It is higher among.
∗ children than adults.
∗ Asthma morbidity and mortality is higher among.
∗ African Americans than North Americans.
Source: MMWR 2007;56(No. SS-8):1-54

5. Risk Factors for Developing Asthma
∗ Genetic characteristics
∗ Occupational
exposures
∗ Environmental
exposures

6. Treatment
∗ Treatment recommendations based
on:
∗ Severity
∗ Control
∗ Responsiveness
Source: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf

7. Diagnosing Asthma:
Medical History
∗ Symptoms
∗ Coughing
∗ Wheezing
∗ Shortness of breath
∗ Chest tightness

8. Diagnosing Asthma:
Spirometry
Test lung function when diagnosing asthma

9. Medications to Treat Asthma
∗ Medications come
in several forms.
∗ Long-term control
∗ Quick relief

10. Medications to Treat Asthma:
Long-Term Control
∗ Used to reduce inflammation, relax airway
muscles, and improve symptoms and lung
function

11. Medications to Treat Asthma:
Quick-Relief

12. Medications to Treat Asthma:
How to Use a Spray Inhaler
The technique to use
Spray Inhaler.
Source: “What You and Your Family Can Do About Asthma” by the Global Initiative for
Asthma Created and funded by NIH/NHLBI

13. Medications to Treat Asthma:
Nebulizer
∗ Machine produces a
mist of the medication
∗ Inhalation

14. Resources
American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/naepp/
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/asthma

15. Thank you