Overview
Patients with asthma are at risk of exacerbations, which may cause significant morbidity or mortality. By understanding the natural history of their airways disease it is possible to create a management plan that prevents complications in the future.
Ask About
- Diagnosis - when asthma was diagnosed, risk factors, triggers
- Severity - symptoms, FEV1, exacerbations
- Management - lifestyle, pharmacologic, supportive
- Complications
Risk Factors for Asthma
- Family history of asthma
- Atopy
- Obesity
Potential Asthma Triggers
Environmental
- Aeroallergens - pollens, dust mits, pet dander, mold
- Cigarrette smoke
- Air pollution
Other
- Respiratory viral infections
- Medications - beta blockers, NSAIDs
- Exercise
- Stress
- Cold
Severity
Ask About
- Frequency of puffer use
- Spirometry results - FEV1, FVC
- Exacerbations - frequency, ED visits, hospital admissions, ICU admissions
Complications
Complications of Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Atelectasis
- Mucous plugging
- Pneumothorax
- Pneumomediastinum
Management
Management Strategies
Lifestyle Measures
- Avoidance of triggers
- Smoking cessation
Pharmacologic Measures
- Short-acting beta agonists (SABAs) - salbutamol, terbutaline
- Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) - salmeterol, formoterol, indacaterol
- Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) - beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, ciclesonide
- ICS / LABA combinations - budesonide / formoterol, fluticasone / salmeterol, fluticasone / formoterol, fluticasone / vilanterol
- Monoclonal antibodies - omalizumab, mepolizumab
Next Page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------