Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. It affects over 26 million people worldwide each year and causes over 4000-6000 deaths annually in India alone. The disease is managed through medications like bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs administered via inhalers or nebulizers. Nursing care involves monitoring vitals, managing symptoms, preventing exposure to triggers, teaching patients about treatment and providing breathing exercises.

2. INTRODUCTION:
Asthma is a lower respiratory tract
disease;it is an pulmonary obstructive
disease.It is also called as “REACTIVE
AIRWAY DISEASE

3. DEFINITION:
 Asthma is a common chronic
inflammatory disease of the airways
characterized by variable and recurring
symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction
and bronchospasm. Common symptoms
include wheezing, coughing, chest
tightness, and shortness of breath

4. INCIDENCE:
It can occur in any age and in any sex
26 million are diagnosed with asthma
every year
10.6 million people are affected
Womens are increased risk of death
compare to men
In India 4000-6000 are dying every year
with asthma

6. TYPES:

7. ETIOLOGY:
Idiopathic

8. CAUSES:

9. RISK FACTORS:
Hereditary
Allergens
Airpollutants
Upper respiratory tract infections
Drug over dosage
Occupational exposures
Environmental factors
Psychological factors

10. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:

11. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS:
Wheezing
Cough
Chest tightness
Dyspone
Hypoxia
Nasal flaring
Sputum is thick and tenacious
Decreased or absence of breath sounds
called “SILENT CHEST”

12. SYMPTOMS:

13. ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC
STUDIES:
History collection
Physical examination
Pulse oximetry
Pulmonary function test
Arterial blood gas
Complete blood count
Chest x-ray

14. MANAGEMENT:
 Medications:
 Bronchodilators:
-long acting beta adrenagic blockers:
eg:salmeterol,formeterol,theophylline
 Anti-inflammatory drugs:
-corticosteriods:
eg:flunisolides,beclamethasone,cromolyn
-Mast cell stabilizers:
eg:montelukast,zileuton
 DRY POWDER INHALERS

15. CORTICOSTEROIDS ARE
MOST EFFECTIVE

16. DELIVERY METHODS:
Medications are typically provided as
metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) in
combination with an asthma spacer or as
a dry powder inhaler. The spacer is a
plastic cylinder that mixes the medication
with air, making it easier to receive a full
dose of the drug. A nebulizer may also be
used.

17. ADVERSE EFFECTS:
Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids at
conventional doses carries a minor risk of
adverse effects.Risks include the
development of cataracts and a mild
regression in stature.

18. OTHER METHODS:
When asthma is unresponsive to usual
medications, other options are available for
both emergency management and prevention
of flareups. For emergency management
other options include:
Oxygen to alleviate hypoxia if saturations fall
below 92%.
Oral corticosteroid are recommended with
five days of prednisone being the same 2
days of dexamethasone.

19. Magnesium sulfate intravenous
treatment has been shown to provide
a bronchodilating effect when used in
addition to other treatment in severe
acute asthma attacks.
Heliox, a mixture of helium and
oxygen, may also be considered in
severe unresponsive cases

20. COMORBIDITES:

21. NURSING MANAGEMENT:
 Check vitalsigns at regular intervals.
 Monitor allergic symptoms.
 Administer medication, note action of
medications.
 Avoid exposure to pollution environment.
 Deep breathing exercises.
 Health education.

22. NURSING DIAGNOSIS:
Ineffective airway cleareance related
to bronchospasm.
Impaired breathing pattern related to
excessive mucus secretion.
Sleep pattern disturbance related to
cough and dysponea.
Anxiety related to difficulty in
breathing.
Knowledge deficit related to treatment
regimen.

23. yamini