USF-COM Department of Family Medicine

LIVING WITH ASTHMA

Fred Matti, Class of 1999

• WHAT IS ASTHMA?
• FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
• CAUSES
• FACTORS THAT INCREASE RISK OF ASTHMA
• PREVENTION
• EXPECTED OUTCOME
• POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
• HOW IS ASTHMA TREATED?
• GENERAL MEASURES
• MEDICATION
• ACTIVITY & DIET
• WHEN DO I CALL MY DOCTOR?
• SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ASTHMA

WHAT IS ASTHMA?

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FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Chest tightness and shortness of breath.
• Wheezing upon breathing out.
• Coughing, especially at night, with little sputum.
• Rapid, shallow breathing that is easier with sitting up.
• Breathing difficulty.
• Neck muscles tighten.
• Svere symptoms of acute attack:
• Bluish skin.
• Exhaustion.
• Grunting respiration.
• Inability to speak.
• Mental changes, including restlessness or confusion.

CAUSES

• Allergens, such as pollen, dust and dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, molds, and some foods.
• Lung infections such as bronchitis.
• Air irritants such as smoke, odors, and cold air.
• Exposure to occupational chemicals or materials.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Other allergic conditions such as eczema or hay fever.
• Family history of asthma or allergies.
• Exposure to air pollutants.
• Smoking.
• Use of some drugs such as aspirin.
• Stresses such as viral infection, exercise, emotional upset, noxious odors, and tobacco smoke.

PREVENTION

• Avoid known allergens and air pollutants.
• Take prescribed preventive medicines regularly; don’t omit them when you feel well.
• Avoid aspirin.
• Investigate and avoid triggering factors.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

• Symptoms can be controlled with treatment and strict adherence to prevention measures.
• Half the children will outgrow asthma.
• Without treatment, severe attacks can be fatal.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Respiratory failure (lungs no longer function).
• Pneumothorax (collapse of a lung).
• Lung infection and chronic lung problems from recurrent attacks.

TREATMENT:  GENERAL MEASURES

• Diagnostic tests may include laboratory blood studies,  pulmonary-function tests and allergy testing, usually with skin tests.
• Emergency room and hospital care for severe attacks.
• Psychotherapy or counseling if stress related.
• Eliminate allergens and irritants at home and at work, if possible.  Treatment for desensitizing to specific Allergens.
• Keep regular medications with you at all times.

TREATMENT:  MEDICATION

• Expectorants to loosen sputum.
• Bronchodilators to open air passages.  Some may cause a rapid heartbeat and a feeling of restlessness.  Newer bronchodilators keep this to a minimum.
• Intravenous cortisone (steroid) drugs (emergencies only) to decrease the body’s allergic response.
• Cortisone drugs by nebulizer (inhaler) have fewer adverse reactions than oral pill forms.  Oral cortisone drugs are rarely needed.
• Antihistamines (cromolyn sodium or nedocromil) by nebulizer.  These are preventive drugs.  Some may cause drowsiness

TREATMENT:  ACTIVITY & DIET

ACTIVITY

• Stay active, but avoid sudden bursts of exercise.  If an attack follows heavy exercise, sit and rest.  Sip warm water.
• Treatment with bronchodilators often prevents exercise induced asthma.
• Swimming is perhaps the best exercise for asthma patients.

DIET

• No special diet, but avoid foods to which you are sensitive.
• Drink at least 3 quarts of liquid daily to keep lung secretions loose.

WHEN DO I CALL MY DOCTOR?

• If you or a family member has symptoms of asthma.
• If you have an asthma attack that doesn’t respond to   treatment.  This is an emergency!
• If new, unexplained symptoms develop.  Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects such as drowsiness, rapid heartbeat, and restlessness.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ASTHMA

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• Index of Patient Education Topics
• USF: Family Practice Clerkship
• USF-COM MEDICAL INFORMATICS