Asthma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Asthma is a long-term condition where your bronchial tubes become swollen and narrowed. The bronchial tubes are airways that carry air in and out of your lungs. An asthma attack (episode of asthma) usually happens after you are exposed to triggers. Triggers are things you breathe in or things you do that give you an asthma attack. These include dust, smoke, chemicals, heavy exercise, and changes in weather. During an asthma attack your airways swell and make too much mucus. The small muscles in your airways also tighten. When the airways become too narrow, less air flows to your lungs and you have trouble breathing.
  
  
• Caregivers will ask you about medical problems that you have had, and do an exam to learn if you have asthma. Your caregiver will ask you what causes you to have an asthma attack, and what your symptoms are. You may be tested for allergies. You may have blood and peak flow tests, pulmonary function tests, and x-rays. You and your caregiver will work together to decrease your symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. Your caregiver will give you asthma medicines and teach you when and how to use them. He may change your medicines if your symptoms get worse or better. There is no cure for asthma, but the condition can be controlled, and asthma attacks can be prevented.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Medicines for asthma may make you dizzy and increase your heartbeat. Some medicines, such as steroids, make you gain weight and can cause skin problems such as acne. You may also be at a higher risk of getting mouth infections and a sore throat.
  
  
• Asthma can cause your airways to thicken, letting less air through them. Your lung tissue can get damaged and scarred. If you do not treat your asthma, you can have more and longer asthma attacks. Your symptoms can get worse, and you may die. Ask your caregiver if you have questions about your condition, medicines, or treatments.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

IV:

An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Short-acting bronchodilators: You may need short-acting bronchodilators to help open your airways quickly. These medicines may be called rescue inhalers or relievers. They relieve sudden, severe symptoms and start to work right away.
  
  
• Long-acting bronchodilators: You may need long-acting bronchodilators to help prevent breathing problems. These medicines may be called controllers. They control breathing problems by keeping the airways open over time.
  
  
• Sedative: This medicine is given to help you stay calm and relaxed.
  
  
• Steroid medicines: Steroid medicine may be given to decrease swelling and tightness of your airways. This helps you breathe easier.
  
  
• Immunomodulators: This medicine may be given to help with long-term control of asthma symptoms.

Tests:

• Blood gases: This is also called an arterial blood gas, or ABG. Blood is taken from an artery (blood vessel) in your wrist, arm, or groin. Your blood is tested for the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in it. The results can tell caregivers how well your lungs are working.
  
  
• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Heart monitor: This test is also called an EKG or ECG. Sticky pads are placed on your skin to record your heart's electrical activity. An EKG gives information about how your heart is working. Lie as still as possible during the test.
  
  
• Pulmonary function tests: Pulmonary function tests, also called PFTs, help caregivers learn how well your lungs work. PFTs may also help your caregivers decide on the best treatment for you. During the tests, you breathe into a mouthpiece connected to a machine. The machine measures how much air you breathe in and out over a certain amount of time. This helps caregivers to see how well your lungs are moving and working.
  
  
• Pulse oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your finger, ear, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Never turn the pulse oximeter or alarm off. An alarm will sound if your oxygen level is low or cannot be read.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors, broken ribs, or fluid around the heart and lungs.

Treatment options:

• Breathing treatments: You may need breathing treatments to help open your airways so you can breathe easier. A machine may be used to help you breathe in medicine. A caregiver will help you with these treatments. At first you may need breathing treatments more often. As you get better, you may only need the treatments when you are having trouble breathing.
  
  
• Endotracheal (ET) tube: An endotracheal tube may be put into your mouth or nose. It goes down into your windpipe to help keep your airway open and help you breathe. It may be hooked to a ventilator (breathing machine), and you may get extra oxygen through your ET tube. You will not be able to talk while the ET tube is in place.
  
  
• Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your caregiver before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.
  
  
• Ventilator: This is a machine that gives you oxygen and breathes for you when you cannot breathe well on your own. An endotracheal (ET) tube is put into your airway through your mouth or nose. You may need a trach if an ET tube cannot be placed. A trach is an airway tube put into an incision (cut) in the front of your neck. The ET tube or trach is attached to the ventilator.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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