Asthma

BURDEN OF ASTHMA
• Asthma, a disease of the airways, occurs in
people of all ages, and wheeze is the most
common symptom. The most recent revised
global estimate of asthma suggests that as many
as 334 million people have asthma, and that the
burden of disability is high.
• Asthma being a disease of high-income countries
, low- and middle-income countries, and its
prevalence is estimated to be increasing fastest
in 2 latter countries.
What is asthma?
• Chronic disease of the airways that may cause
 Wheezing
 Breathlessness
 Chest tightness
 Nighttime or early morning coughing

• Episodes are usually associated with

widespread, but variable, airflow obstruction
within the lung that is often reversible either
spontaneously or with treatment.
Epidemiology
Asthma:
 affects 25.7 million people, including 7.0 million children under 18;
is a significant health and economic burden to patients, their
families, and society:
 In 2010, 1.8 million people visited an ED for asthma-
related care and 439,000 people were hospitalized
because of asthma
Pathophysiology of Asthma
Pathology of Asthma
Asthma Classification
Diagnosing Asthma
• Troublesome cough, particularly at night
• Awakened by coughing
• Coughing or wheezing after physical activity
• Breathing problems during particular seasons
• Coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness after
allergen exposure
• Colds that last more than 10 days
• Relief when medication is used
• Wheezing sounds during normal breathing

• Hyperexpansion of the thorax

• Increased nasal secretions or nasal polyps

• Atopic dermatitis, eczema, or other allergic skin

conditions
Asthma Exacerbation
• Asthma exacerbations are an exaggerated lower
airway response to an environmental exposure
• Asthma exacerbations can be classified as
mild, moderate, severe, or life
threatening. Criteria for exacerbation
severity are based on symptoms and
physical examination parameters, as well
as lung function and oxygen saturation.
 • Spirometry
Test lung function when diagnosing asthma
Management
Long-term goals
Achieve good control of symptoms and maintain
normal activity levels
Minimize future risk of exarcebations, fixed
airflow limitation, and side effects.
Medications
• Medications come in several forms.

• Two major categories of

medications are:
▫ Long-term control
▫ Quick relief
Long term control
• Taken daily over a long period of time

• Used to reduce inflammation, relax airway

muscles, and improve symptoms and lung
function
▫ Inhaled corticosteroids
▫ Long-acting beta2-agonists
▫ Leukotriene modifiers
Quick Relief
• Used in acute episodes

• Generally short-acting
beta2agonists
Inhaler and Spacer
• Spacers can help patients
who have difficulty with
inhaler use and can reduce
potential for adverse effects
from medication
Nebulizer
• Machine produces a
mist of the medication

• Used for small children

or for severe asthma
episodes