ASTHMA

Kalpana Nepal
s083150
Bachelor in pharmacy
WHAT IS ASTHMA?
 Asthma causes airways to constrict and
swell and create more mucus. This can
cause coughing, whistling, and shortness
of breath.

 For some, asthma is no big deal. For

others, it can disrupt daily living and
cause a life-threatening asthma attack.

 Controlling asthma symptoms is possible,

but not curing it. Asthma symptoms
change over time, so cooperate with your
doctor to track them and adapt your
treatment.
KEY FACTS (ACCORDING TO
WHO)
 Asthma is a major noncommunicable disease (NCD), affecting both children
and adults, and is the most common chronic disease among children.
 Inhaled medication can control asthma symptoms and allow people with
asthma to lead a normal, active life.
 Most asthma-related deaths occur in low- and lower-middle-income
countries, where under-diagnosis and under-treatment is a challenge.
SYMPTOMS
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Wheezing when exhaling, which is
a common sign of asthma in
children
• Trouble sleeping caused by
shortness of breath, coughing or
wheezing
 Some people's asthma symptoms worsen in
certain situations:
 Exercise-induced asthma may worsen in
cold, dry air.
 Occupational asthma, caused by chemical
fumes, gases, or dust during work.

 Asthma caused by airborne allergens

including pollen, mould spores, cockroach
faeces, or pet saliva and skin particles.
CAUSES
 It isn't clear why some people get asthma
and others don't, but it's probably due to
a combination of environmental and
genetic factors.
 people who have other allergic
conditions, such as eczema and rhinitis .
 Exposure to a range of environmental
allergens including indoor and outdoor
air pollution, house dust mites, moulds,
and occupational exposure to chemicals,
fumes or dust.
WHAT TRIGGERS
ASTHMA?
• Airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet
dander or particles of cockroach waste
• Respiratory infections, such as the common cold

• Physical activity

• Cold air

• Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke

• Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin, and

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Strong emotions and stress

• Mold and mildew

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which

stomach acids back up into your throat
WHAT ARE THE RISK
FACTORS?
• Being overweight
• Being a smoker
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Exposure to exhaust fumes or other types of pollution
• Exposure to occupational triggers, such as chemicals used
in farming, hairdressing and manufacturing
DIAGNOSIS
 Physical exam
 Tests to measure lung function

• Spirometry. This test estimates the narrowing of your bronchial

tubes by checking how much air you can exhale after a deep breath
and how fast you can breathe out.
• Peak flow. A peak flow meter is a simple device that measures how
hard you can breathe out.
PREVENTIVE MEDICATIONS
 Most asthma medications come into two
groups. To prevent attacks, you probably
take frequent prescriptions. Fast-relieving
asthma medicine is another option.
 Asthma medications may come in the
form of:

 an inhaler

 a nebulizer, or a device that allows you to

inhale medications as a mist
 a pill

 a liquid

 an injection or infusion
DRUG TREATMENT
 Long-term asthma control medications, Inhaled
corticosteroids. These medications include fluticasone propionate
 Leukotriene modifiers. These oral medications — including
montelukast
 Combination inhalers. These medications — such as fluticasone-
salmeterol
 Theophylline. Theophylline is a daily pill that helps keep the
airways open by relaxing the muscles around the airways.
 Quick-relief medications
 Short-acting beta agonists. These inhaled, quick-relief
bronchodilators act within minutes to rapidly ease symptoms during
an asthma attack. They include albuterol
 Anticholinergic agents. Like other bronchodilators, ipratropium
 Oral and intravenous corticosteroids. These medications —
which include prednisone
 Allergy medications
HOW TO USE INHALER?
HOW TO PREVENT ASTHMA
ATTACKS
 Multiple factors may contribute to the onset of an
asthma attack. Implementing appropriate
measures may effectively stop asthma
development
 Avoiding triggers and allergens
 Air filtration system
 Humidifiers

Water vapor from humidifiers adds moisture to the

air. Some asthmatics benefit from air dampness.
But use them carefully—they may worsen asthma.
Too much humidity might promote dust mite
proliferation.
 Immunotherapy
 Utilizing an inhaler can be challenging, particularly for children and in
emergency circumstances. Utilizing a spacer device facilitates the
administration of an aerosol inhaler. This facilitates the medicine's access
to the lungs.
ADVICE AND COUNSELLING
 If you have an asthma flare-up, a quick-relief inhaler can ease your
symptoms right away.
 Keep a record of how many puffs you use each week.
 If you need to use your quick-relief inhaler more often than your
doctor recommends, see your doctor. You probably need to adjust
your long-term control medication.
 Taking care of yourself can help keep your symptoms under
control, by healthy eating and avoiding triggers
AVOID YOUR
TRIGGERS BY
 Use your air conditioner. Air conditioning reduces the amount of
airborne pollen from trees, grasses and weeds that finds its way
indoors.
 Decontaminate your decor. Minimize dust that may worsen
nighttime symptoms by replacing certain items in your bedroom.
 Prevent mold spores.
 Clean regularly
 Cover your nose and mouth if it's cold out
 Regular lung function tests are necessary to monitor asthma treatments.
You can measure your lung airflow with a handheld peak flow meter. This
test can detect airway constriction before symptoms appear.

 Compare your peak flow data over time to determine:

 asthma attack trigger
 when to stop medicine
 When to add medicine
 A doctor should help you create an asthma action plan. You'll know when
your asthma symptoms develop and what to do if an attack occurs.
REFERENCE
 World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO. (2024,
May 6). Asthma. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma
 Asthma - Doctors and departments - Mayo Clinic. (n.d.).
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/doctors-departmen
ts/ddc-20369662
 Weiss, K. (2023, April 28). How to prevent asthma attacks. Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/health/asthma-prevention#lung-testing
Any question?