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

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

Bronchospasm/

bronchoconstrictionOccurs 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

This is all the stuff that’s kept me breathing for the past year

“Beyond theblue inhaler”

Managed using medications andtrigger avoidance

(except for exercise!)

There is no cure for asthma

. . . Yet

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!

Prevents asthma symptoms from starting/controls severity

Taken daily by people with persistent asthma

Brings down inflammation/treats constriction

Cor

ticos

tero

ids

InhaledOral

(Prednisone)

For severe or unresponsive flares C

ortic

oste

roid

s w

ith L

ong

Act

ing

Bet

a-A

goni

st/B

ronc

hodi

lato

r (L

AB

A)

Leuk

otrie

ne R

ecep

tor

Ant

agon

ists

/ M

odifi

ers

(LT

RA

s)

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

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

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%

Ext

rinsi

c (A

llerg

ic)

Trig

gers

Dust mites

Pollen

Mould

Certain foods

Animal dander Intr

insi

c (N

on-A

llerg

ic)

Trig

gers

Infections (cold and flu)

Cold or humid air

Intense emotions (ex. stress)

Medications (ex. aspirin)

Hormones

Air pollution

Fragrances and chemicals

Exercise

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

Delayed

Respo

nse

EIA

--Steve Gaudet

DON’T GIVE UP!

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!

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

“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)

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?

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!