This document discusses asthma, including that it is a chronic lung condition characterized by bronchiole constriction and inflammation that causes variable symptoms. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Asthma is managed using medications and by avoiding triggers when possible, though exercise should not be avoided. Medications include rescue inhalers for quick symptom relief and controller medications like corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and prevent symptoms. Proper asthma management requires monitoring symptoms and lung function.

2. Chronic lung condition
Tightening (constriction) of the muscles
surrounding the bronchioles causing
inflammation
Variable condition
Can be developed at any
age
Symptoms may
lessen/disappear but asthma is
not fully “outgrown”
Intermittent
Persistent: mild,
moderate, severe
Allergic or non-
allergic triggered

3. Persistent or recurrent cough
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Dyspnea (shortness of
breath/breathing discomfort) – “air
trapping”
Symptoms and severity of symptoms can
change over time in individuals
May not have all of the above symptoms

4. Bronchospasm/
bronchoconstriction
Occurs when exposed to a
“trigger”
Muscles surrounding
bronchioles contract and
produce excess mucus
Airways become red and
inflamed (swollen)
This leads to narrowing of the
airways and difficulty breathing
inflammation
constriction
mucus

5. This is all the stuff
that’s kept me
breathing for the
past year
“Beyond the
blue
inhaler”
Managed using medications and
trigger avoidance
(except for exercise!)
There is no cure for asthma
. . . Yet 

6. Bronchodilator
Known as rescue, reliever fast-acting and quick relief
medications
Begin working immediately, peak within 5-20 minutes
Used for sudden symptoms or to prevent
exercise induced flare-ups.
Rescue inhalers
should be carried at
ALL times by
ANYONE with asthma,
regardless of severity!

7. Prevents asthma symptoms from starting/controls severity
Taken daily by people with persistent asthma
Brings down inflammation/treats constriction
Corticos
Inhaled
Oral
(Prednisone)
For severe or
unresponsive flares
CorticosteroidswithLongActing
Beta-Agonist/Bronchodilator(LABA)
LeukotrieneReceptorAntagonists/
Modifiers(LTRAs)

8. Helps deliver
medication deep into the
lungs
Longer treatment time
and higher doses of
medication than usually
delivered by inhalers
Nebulizers are not first-line therapy for asthma
in Canada, and are much more common in the
United States or the United Kingdom, but are
sometimes prescribed in difficult cases

9. Also known as a “spacer” or valved holding
chamber (VHC)
•MDI alone fires at over 100 km/h
•Delivers medication over 100% more
effectively
•Easier to use when having trouble breathing
Not just for small
children! 
•Used by some (usually moderate or
severe) asthma patients to monitor
ongoing lung function and detect changes
•“Poor perceivers” to lung function decline
•How much air comes out of the lungs and how
fast it comes out (less if obstructed)
•Helps determine self-treatment

10. Green Zone – Good to Go!
• 3 puffs Symbicort twice daily
• 2 puffs Atrovent four times daily
• 10 mg (1 tablet) Singulair in the evening
• 2 puffs Ventolin inhaler as needed
Yellow Zone – Slow Down and Take Action!
Any symptoms (cough, chest tightness, dyspnea – I don’t wheeze)
• Nebulizer treatment every 3 hours as needed, Ventolin inhaler as needed
• 3 puffs Symbicort three times daily
• 2 puffs Atrovent four times daily
• 10 mg (1 tablet) Singulair in the evening
• Call doctor if necessaryRed Zone – STOP!
Severe symptoms OR do not respond within 20 minutes to a neb treatment
80-100%
60-80%
Under 60%

11. Extrins
Dust mites
Pollen
Mould
Certain foods
Animal dander
Intrin
Infections (cold and flu)
Cold or humid air
Intense emotions (ex. stress)
Medications (ex. aspirin)
Hormones
Air pollution
Fragrances and chemicals
Exercise

12. Exercise can induce asthma symptoms in people who
have no other asthma triggers.
Exercise is a trigger for 75-90% of people with asthma.
Exercise should
not be avoided,
but worked with!
My friend
“BreathinStephen”
Boston Marathon 2010
Regardless of the pf dip after
your walk,
think of all the good things
you’re doing
to your body when you
exercise
DelayedResponseEIA
--Steve
Gaudet
DON T GIVE’
UP! 

13. Preventing exercise induced
flare-ups:
Don’t begin to exercise if
you are already flaring!
If prescribed take medication
5-15 minutes before exercise
Warm up and cool down
gradually for 10-20 minutes
If you have a flare-up, stop
and take your medication,
resume only when symptom-
free, and re-warm-up
My Exercise/Asthma Routine
-Check PF. If in green zone,
pre-medicate (Ventolin neb or
inhaler [+Benadryl]), get ready
-Stretch, warm up, work out,
meds as needed, cool down,
stretch
-Check PF. Use neb or inhaler
immediately even if
asymptomatic/green zone. If in
yellow zone, do neb treatment
-2.5-3.5 hours later . . . FLARE!

14. To a person with persistent asthma,
asthma can be a lot more than a blue
inhaler!
If not dealt with effectively, asthma
can impact many areas of a person’s
life . . . Physical, emotional and social.
Some of the time, you can coexist
fairly peacefully with asthma, but others
it feels as if your body is working
AGAINST you instead of with you!
Talking to someone who really
understands what you’re dealing with
can help

15. “Control” may be different for
everybody
Usually based on rescue
medication use per week
Except for exercise, avoid
triggers as much as possible
Take/adjust medications as
prescribed
Find a doctor who will help you
get in control (and stay there!)
Stay in contact with your
doctor(s)

16. 1. What are the two “types” of asthma medications?
2. What are the four symptoms of asthma?
3. What are three asthma triggers? (I mentioned WAY more
than three!)
4. What is the ONLY asthma trigger that should NOT be
avoided?
5. What should EVERYONE with asthma, regardless of
severity or recent symptoms, have with them at all times?

17. 1. Rescue/reliever and controller
2. Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness,
shortness of breath (dyspnea)
3. Dust, mould, foods, animal dander,
pollen // infections (cold or flu), cold or
humid air, intense emotions, medications,
hormones, air pollution, fragrances and
chemicals, exercise (Any three)
4. Exercise!
5. Rescue inhaler!