Consumer Information

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. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. 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.
If you do not treat your asthma, you can have more and longer asthma attacks. Your symptoms can get worse, and you may die. Your airways may thicken, letting less air through them. Your air sacs may fill with mucus. Your lung tissue can get damaged and scarred. This can lead to other conditions such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ask your caregiver if you have questions about your condition, medicines, or treatments.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Medicines: You may need any of the following:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
Bronchodilators: You may need bronchodilators to help open the air passages in your lungs, and help you breathe more easily.
Sedative: A sedative medicine may be 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.

Tests:

Blood gases: This test is also called an arterial blood gas or ABG test. Blood is taken from an artery (blood vessel) in your wrist, arm, or groin. The groin is the area where your abdomen meets your upper leg. Your blood is tested for the amount of "gases" in it, such as oxygen, acids, and carbon dioxide.
Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
12-lead ECG: This test, also called an EKG, helps caregivers look for damage or problems in different areas of the heart. Caregivers may need to prepare your skin by shaving off some hair, or cleaning it with a gritty lotion. Sticky pads are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. Each sticky pad has a wire that is hooked to a machine or TV-type screen. A short period of electrical activity in your heart muscle is recorded. Caregivers will look closely for certain problems or changes in how your heart is working. This test takes about 5 to 10 minutes. It is important that you lie as still as possible during the test. You may need this test more than once.
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 machine that tells how much oxygen is in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your ear, finger, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Caregivers use this machine to see if you need more oxygen.
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 helps you with these treatments. At first you may need them 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 to help you breathe easier. It may be given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. It may be given through a nasal cannula, or prongs, instead of a mask. A nasal cannula is a pair of short, thin tubes that rest just inside your nose. Tell your caregiver if your nose gets dry or if the mask or prongs bother you. Ask your caregiver before taking off your oxygen. Never smoke or let anyone else smoke in the same room while your oxygen is on. Doing so may cause a fire.
Ventilator: A ventilator is a special machine that can breathe for you if you cannot breathe well on your own. You may have an endotracheal tube (ET tube) in your mouth or nose. A tube called a trach may go into an incision (cut) in the front of your neck. The ET tube or trach is hooked to the ventilator. The ventilator can also give oxygen to you.

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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