ASTHMA

ASTHMA
GOMEZ, JEANNA CLARISSE

WHAT IS ASTHMA?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease affecting people of all ages. It is
caused by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways,
which makes it harder to breathe.
This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, a

whistling sound (wheezing) when you breathe out and
shortness of breath.
TYPES OF ASTHMA
1) ALLERGIC ASTHMA (extrinsic asthma): When the symptoms are
induced by a hyperimmune response to the inhalation of specific
allergen.
2) MIXED ASTHMA: Mixed asthma is the combination of both
allergic and non allergic asthma. This is the most common form of
asthma.
3) COUGH-VARIANT ASTHMA: This does not have the classic
symptoms of asthma- such as wheezing and shortness of breath.
Instead It is characterized by one symptom, a persistent dry cough
TYPES OF ASTHMA
4) EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA: Affects the person during or after
physical activity.
5) NOCTURNAL ASTHMA: Characterized by symptoms that gets
worsen at night. Those who suffer from nocturnal asthma can also
experience symptoms any time of day.
6) OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA: Induced by triggers that exists in
person's workplace including textiles, farming
PREDISPOSING AND
PRECIPITATING FACTORS
Age and Gender: Allergen Exposure
13-14 y.o. (boys) Respiratory Infections
puberty (girls) Emotional Stress
Genetic Predisposition Medication-use
Atopic Conditions Mode of Delivery (2-3
Early Childhood Viral times more likely to
Infections occur in infants
Allergic Sensitization delivered by C-section)
Environmental Factors
ETIOLOGY
Interplay between host factors (primarily
genetics), and environmental exposures
that occur at a crucial time in the
development of the immune system.
A definitive cause is unknown.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
DIAGNOSTICS
MEDICAL HISTORY PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

Healthcare providers will assess symptoms like Healthcare providers use a stethoscope to listen to
coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness, and your lungs for signs of asthma, assess your
identify triggers like exercise, allergens, cold air, or respiratory health, and identify any other lung or
respiratory infections that worsen symptoms. airway issues.
LUNG FUNCTION TESTS BRONCHIAL PROVOCATION TESTS

Spirometry measures air exhalation capacity and involve inhaling substances like methacholine or
speed, detecting airflow obstruction in asthma. histamine to trigger bronchospasm, measuring lung
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) measures lung function before and after exposure to confirm airway
function, allowing regular monitoring at home. hyperresponsiveness, a characteristic of asthma.
DIAGNOSTICS
ALLERGY TESTING
Skin prick tests or blood tests for allergen-specific SPUTUM ANALYSIS
Analyzing the eosinophil count in sputum can help
IgE antibodies can identify allergens that may
confirm airway inflammation typical of asthma.
trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals.
FRACTIONAL EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE IMAGING TESTS

TEST (FENO) Chest X-rays or CT scans may be done to rule out
measures the level of nitric oxide gas in your breath, other lung conditions that can mimic asthma
which can be elevated in people with asthma due to symptoms, such as pneumonia or bronchiectasis.
airway inflammation.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
wheezing
dyspnea
cough
chest tightness
expiration may be prolonged
secretions may be white, thick,
tenacious, gelatinous mucous
IF TREATED:
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
HEALTH EDUCATION
Patients should be educated on asthma
triggers, symptoms, and self-management
techniques, including proper inhaler use,
early exacerbation signs, and medical help
seeking.
AVOIDING TRIGGERS
Identifying and avoiding triggers such as
allergens, smoke, pollution, and respiratory
infections can help prevent asthma
attacks.
PHARMACOLOGICAL
MANAGEMENT
Asthma cannot be cured but there are several treatments available.
The most common treatment is to use an inhaler, which delivers
medication directly to the lungs.
2 TYPES OF INHALERS
bronchodilators (such as salbutamol), that open the air passages
and relieve symptoms
steroids (such as beclometasone) that reduce inflammation in the
air passages, which improves asthma symptoms and reduces the risk
of severe asthma attacks and death.
PHARMACOLOGICAL
MANAGEMENT
Long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs): These medications help keep
the airways open for an extended period, usually used in
combination with ICS.
Combination inhalers: These contain both an ICS and a LABA in
one inhaler for easier use and better control of asthma symptoms.
Leukotriene modifiers like montelukast: These medications help
block the action of certain substances that contribute to asthma
symptoms and inflammation.
Anticholinergics like ipratropium: These medications also help
relax the muscles in the airways.
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT
Asthma does not have correctional surgery
BRONCHIAL THERMOPLASTY
it is an asthma treatment using heat to shrink the smooth muscle
in the lungs. This limits the ability of the airways to tighten,
making breathing easier and possibly reducing asthma attacks.
performed by a pulmonologist in three sessions, with three weeks
between each session.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR

SURGERY?
It is approved only to treat adults with severe asthma. About 5%
to 10% of people with asthma have severe asthma that can’t be
controlled with medications, inhalers or other therapies.
IF NOT TREATED:
INCREASED SYMPTOMS POOR LUNG FUNCTION
Asthma symptoms such as Chronic inflammation and airway
coughing, wheezing, shortness of constriction in untreated asthma can
breath, and chest tightness can lead to decreased lung function over
worsen in frequency and severity. time. This can result in reduced
This can significantly impact daily exercise tolerance, difficulty
activities and quality of life. breathing, and impaired respiratory
function.
ASTHMA ATTACKS FREQUENT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

Untreated asthma increases the risk More susceptible to respiratory
of asthma attacks or exacerbations, infections such as colds, flu, and
characterized by sudden and severe pneumonia. These infections can
worsening of symptoms. These further aggravate asthma symptoms
attacks can be life-threatening, and lead to more severe complications.
requiring emergency medical
intervention.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
1) Assess the respiratory rate, depth, and rhythm.
2) Assess breath sounds and adventitious sounds such as wheezes
and stridor. Adventitious sounds may indicate a worsening condition
or additional developing complications such as pneumonia.
3) Assess for signs of dyspnea (flaring of nostrils, chest retractions,
and use of accessory muscle). Dyspnea may indicate respiratory
distress. Once the movement of air into and out of the lungs becomes
challenging, the breathing pattern changes. Airway hyperreactivity
causes bronchospasm which narrows the diameter of the airways.
4) Plan for periods of rest between activities. Activity increases
metabolic rate and oxygen requirements and is generally limited by
the client’s ability to exercise and their response to medications.
5) Maintain the head of the bed elevated and position the client
depending on respiratory effort. Head elevation and left lateral Sims
position to prevent aspiration of secretions or vomitus, enhance
ventilation to lower lobes, and relieve pressure on the diaphragm.
Clients with mild acute asthma are able to lie flat. In more severe
cases, the client may assume a sitting position.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
6) Encourage the client to use breathing exercises. The presence of
dysfunctional breathing independently of hyperventilation can
contribute to dyspnea. Breathing exercises are a commonly used
approach for correcting dysfunctional breathing.
7) Encourage a proper diet that benefits both weight and allergen
avoidance. Beverages containing high sugar levels are a risk factor for
asthma, as is a diet with poor vegetables and grains but rich in sweets
and dairy products. Omega-3 has been associated with a lower
incidence of asthma, whereas omega-6 fatty acids are associated with
a higher risk of asthma in pediatric subjects
8) Educate about environmental control and allergen avoidance.
Environmental exposures and irritants can play a strong role in
symptom exacerbations. Once the offending allergens are identified,
counsel the client on avoidance of these exposures.
9) Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
10) Administer medications for asthma as ordered.
THANK
YOU

ASTHMA

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ASTHMA

GOMEZ, JEANNA CLARISSE

This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, a

MEDICAL HISTORY PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

LUNG FUNCTION TESTS BRONCHIAL PROVOCATION TESTS

FRACTIONAL EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE IMAGING TESTS

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR

ASTHMA ATTACKS FREQUENT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS

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