Bronchial Asthma

Subject: Mental Health (Theory)

Overview

A typical chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs' airways is asthma. Variable and recurrent symptoms, reversible airflow restriction, and bronchospasm are its distinguishing features. Episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath are among the symptoms. These episodes might take place several times per day or several times each week. Depending on the individual, they might get worse at night or after exercising. It is believed that a mix of hereditary and environmental factors contribute to asthma. Exposure to allergies and air pollution are environmental variables. Finding asthma triggers, such as cigarette smoke, dogs, or aspirin, and avoiding exposure to them is the most efficient form of therapy. Utilizing medication is advised if trigger avoidance is insufficient. The use of bronchodilators is advised for momentary symptom alleviation. No further medicine is required for patients who experience sporadic episodes. In addition to other treatments, intravenous magnesium sulfate therapy improves bronchodilation in moderately severe acute asthma episodes. Adult hospital admissions are decreased as a result.

Bronchial Asthma

A typical chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs' airways is asthma. Variable and recurrent symptoms, reversible airflow restriction, and bronchospasm are its distinguishing features. Episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath are among the symptoms. These episodes might take place several times per day or several times each week. Depending on the individual, they could get worse at night or after exercising. It is believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors contribute to asthma. Exposure to allergens and air pollution are environmental factors. Beta blockers and aspirin are two additional potential triggers.

Causes

  • Pollen,
  • Animal dander,
  • House dust and mold,
  • Feather pillows,
  • Food additives containing sulfites,
  • Genetic,
  • Environmental,
  • Severe RTIs.

Symptoms

  • Dyspnea,
  • Wheezing and cough,
  • Chest tightness,
  • Restlessness,
  • Anxiety,
  • Pallor and cyanosis,
  • Hyper-resonance in percussion,
  • High-pitched in auscultation.

Diagnosis

  • Pulmonary function tests,
  • Spo2,
  • ABG analysis,
  • Chest x-rays,
  • CBC.

Management

  • Finding asthma triggers, such as cigarette smoke, dogs, or aspirin, and avoiding exposure to them is the most efficient form of therapy. Utilizing medication is advised if trigger avoidance is insufficient.
  • The use of bronchodilators is advised for momentary symptom alleviation. No further medicine is required for patients who experience sporadic episodes.
  • Low-dose inhaled corticosteroids are advised in the case of mild persistent disease (more than two attacks per week), in addition to an oral leukotriene antagonist or a mast cell stabilizer.
  • A higher dosage of inhaled corticosteroids is used for people who experience attacks on a daily basis. Oral corticosteroids are added to these treatments in cases of moderate or severe exacerbations.
  • The key to increasing control and averting assaults is to avoid triggers. Allergens, smoking (tobacco and other), air pollution, non-selective beta-blockers, and foods high in sulfites are some of the most frequent triggers.
  • When used with SABA, anticholinergic drugs such ipratropium bromide offer further benefits to those with moderate to severe symptoms.
  • For long-term management, corticosteroids are typically regarded as the best therapy option. Beclomethasone and other inhaled versions are often utilized, with the possible exception of severe chronic disease, where oral corticosteroids may be required. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, using inhaled formulations once or twice a day is typically advised.
  • Hypoxia will be treated with oxygen if saturations drop below 92%.
  • It is advised to take oral corticosteroids for five days of prednisone and two days of dexamethasone.
  • In addition to other treatments, intravenous magnesium sulfate therapy improves bronchodilation in moderately severe acute asthma attacks. Adult hospital admissions are decreased as a result.

Nursing Management

  • By keeping an eye on the severity of the patient's symptoms, breath sounds, peak ow, pulse oximetry, and vital signs, you may determine their respiratory condition.
  • Before giving out medication, find out if there have ever been any allergic reactions.
  • List any drugs the patient is taking right now.
  • Administer drugs as directed and keep track of the patient's reactions to them; if the patient has an underlying respiratory infection, meds may also include an antibiotic.
  • If the patient is dehydrated, give them uids.
  • If an intubation is necessary, help with the process.
  • Keep an eye out for deteriorating respiratory condition and take note of sputum characteristics.
  • Teach the patient's family about asthma (chronic inhalatory), the function of medications, how to avoid triggers, proper inhalation technique, and asthma triggers.
  • Inform the patient and their loved ones about peak-ow monitoring.
  • Teach the patient how to carry out an action plan and when and how to ask for help.
  • Obtain current educational materials for the patient based on the patient’s diagnosis, causative factors, educational level, and cultural background,
Things to remember
  • A typical chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs' airways is asthma.
  • Variable and recurrent symptoms, reversible airflow restriction, and bronchospasm are its distinguishing features.
  • Episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath are among the symptoms.
  • These episodes might take place several times per day or several times each week.
  • Depending on the individual, they might get worse at night or after exercising.
  • It is believed that a mix of hereditary and environmental factors contribute to asthma.
  • Exposure to allergens and air pollution are environmental factors.
  • Finding asthma triggers, such as cigarette smoke, dogs, or aspirin, and avoiding exposure to them is the most efficient form of therapy.
  • Utilizing medication is advised if trigger avoidance is insufficient. The use of bronchodilators is advised for momentary symptom alleviation.
  • No further medicine is required for patients who experience sporadic episodes.
  • In addition to other treatments, intravenous magnesium sulfate therapy improves bronchodilation in moderately severe acute asthma episodes.
  • Adult hospital admissions are decreased as a result.
Questions and Answers

Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the lungs' airways. It is distinguished by reversible airflow obstruction and bronchospasm, as well as variable and recurring symptoms. Wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath are all symptoms.

  • The most effective treatment for asthma is to identify and avoid triggers such as cigarette smoke, pets, or aspirin. If avoidance of triggers is insufficient, medication is recommended.
  • Bronchodilators are recommended for short-term symptom relief. Other medications are not required for those who have occasional attacks.
  • If there is a mild persistent disease (more than two attacks per week), low-dose inhaled corticosteroids or an oral leukotriene antagonist or mast cell stabilizer are recommended.
  • A higher dose of inhaled corticosteroids is used for those who have daily attacks. Oral corticosteroids are added to these treatments during a moderate or severe exacerbation.
  • Avoiding triggers is an important part of improving control and preventing attacks. Allergens, smoke (tobacco and other), air pollution, non-selective beta-blockers, and sulfite-containing foods are the most common triggers.
  • In those with moderate or severe symptoms, anticholinergic medications such as ipratropium bromide provide additional benefit when combined with SABA.
  • Corticosteroids are widely regarded as the most effective long-term treatment option. Except in the case of severe persistent disease, where oral corticosteroids may be required, inhaled forms such as beclomethasone are usually used. Inhaled formulations are typically used once or twice daily, depending on the severity of symptoms.
  • If saturations fall below 92%, oxygen is used to treat hypoxia.
  • Oral corticosteroids are advised, with five days of prednisone equaling two days of dexamethasone.
  • When used in conjunction with other treatments, intravenous magnesium sulfate increases bronchodilation in moderately severe acute asthma attacks. It results in fewer hospital admissions in adults.
  • Monitor the severity of symptoms, breath sounds, peak ow, pulse oximetry, and vital signs to determine the patient's respiratory status.
  • Before administering medications, obtain a history of allergic reactions to medications.
  • Determine what medications the patient is currently taking.
  • Administer medications as directed and monitor the patient's responses; medications may include an antibiotic if the patient has a respiratory infection.
  • If the patient is dehydrated, give him or her uids.
  • If necessary, assist with the intubation procedure.
  • Keep an eye out for deteriorating respiratory status and take note of sputum characteristics.
  • Teach the patient and family about asthma (chronic inammatory), medication purpose and action, triggers to avoid and how to avoid them, and proper inhalation technique.
  • Inform the patient and his or her family about peak-ow monitoring.
  • Teach the patient how to carry out an action plan and when and how not to seek help.
  • Obtain current educational materials for the patient based on the diagnosis, contributing factors, educational level, and cultural background of the patient.

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