Asthma Education

1. See Also
   1. Asthma Management
2. Management: Explain Pathophysiology
   1. Contrast between Asthmatic and normal lungs
   2. Describe what happens to airways in Asthma attack
   3. Explain Asthma as a chronic disease
      1. No Cure (although may resolve on its own)
      2. Management directed at achieving Asthma control
3. Management: Describe Medication Roles
   1. How Medications work
      1. Long-term medications reduce inflammation
      2. Short-term medications rescue from bronchospasm
   2. Emphasize Long-term medications as key to control
4. Management: Skill Training
   1. Inhaler use
   2. Spacer and holding chamber use
   3. Monitoring methods
      1. Symptom monitoring
      2. Peak Flow meter
      3. Early recognition of exacerbation
   4. Written action plan
      1. Stepwise plan for exacerbations
      2. When and how to take Rescue medications
5. Management: Control Measures for Environmental Allergens
   1. See Environmental Allergen
   2. Animal Dander
      1. Remove animal from house
      2. Keep animal out of patient's bedroom
      3. Install Filter on bedroom air duct
   3. House-Dust mites
      1. Encase mattress and pillow in impermeable cover
      2. Wash bedding weekly in hot water
      3. Reduce indoor humidity <50%
      4. Remove dust "collectors" from room
   4. Cockroaches
      1. Set traps
      2. Preventative measures
   5. Pollens
      1. Keep windows closed during the season
   6. Indoor Mold
      1. Fix leaks and other water sources of mold growth
      2. Reduce indoor humidity to <50%
      3. Clean