Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Triggers include air pollution, animal fur, exercise and weather changes. Symptoms are coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Medications include long-term controllers to manage symptoms, quick relievers for attacks, and allergy medications. Treatment involves calming the patient, assisting with inhalers or nebulizers, and monitoring for side effects like increased heart rate or nausea.

1. Prepared by: Odane P. Hamilton, EMT

3. Outline
 What is asthma?
 Triggers
 Signs and symptoms
 Medications
 Care and Treatment
 Possible side effects
 Summary

4. What is asthma?
 Inflammation and constriction of the airways that makes
breathing difficult
 Can be severe and life threatening
 Occurs in the lower airway

6. Triggers
 Medication
 Fear
 Air pollution
 Intense exercise
 Perfume
 Animal fur or feathers
 Extreme changes in weather

7. Signs and symptoms
 Coughing
 Wheezing
 Chest tightness
 Sweating
 Rapid, shallow breathing
 Feelings of fear or confusion
 Whistling when exhaling

8. Signs and symptoms (cont’d)
 Posture
 Shortness of breath
 Trouble breathing

9. Medications
 Three types:
 Long term:- controls chronic symptoms and prevents
attacks. e.g. steroids via MDI or nebulizer
 Quick relief:- relieves symptoms during an attack. e.g.
Salbutamol (Ventolin) – via MDI or nebulizer
 Medications for allergy:- reduces sensitivity to
allergens. e.g. antihistamine or epinephrine via
injection or orally

10. Care and Treatment
 Calm and reassure
 Assist with MDI
 Assist with oxygen therapy
 Assist with nebulization
 Assist with antihistamine or epinephrine

11. Care and Treatment: Possible Side Effects
 Increased heart rate
 Vomiting
 Nausea
 Nervousness
 Dry mouth
 Sleeplessness
 Coach
 Headache
 Throat irritation

12. Summary

13. Reference
 http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/08/01/health/adam/19346.jpg
 http://www.voiceindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/learning_06.jpg
 http://images.medicinenet.com/images/slideshow/asthma-s19-boy-holds-
inhaler.jpg
 American Red Cross