ASTHMA DR OMOLOLU OSHINOWO Asthma is a common

ASTHMA DR. OMOLOLU OSHINOWO

• Asthma is a common long-term condition that can cause a cough, wheezing, and breathlessness • The severity of the symptoms varies from person to person • Asthma can be controlled well in most people most of the time • The condition can be managed not cured

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

WHO IS AFFECTED ? • In the UK, 5. 4 million people are currently receiving treatment for asthma. • That is 1 in every 12 adults and 1 in every 11 children. • Asthma in adults is more common in women than men.

WHAT CAUSES ASTHMA ? • Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways • These are the small tubes, called bronchi, which carry air in and out of the lungs • If you have asthma, the bronchi will be inflamed and more sensitive than normal

SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA • • WHEEZING COUGH THAT WON’T STOP SHORTNESS OF BREATH TIGHTNESS OF THE CHEST • In severe cases untreated Asthma can be life threatening

EARLY WARNING SIGNS • These are early warning signs that a full blown Asthma attack is imminent • Red flag to watch out for include – Frequent coughing especially at night – Difficulty sleeping – Unexplained Fatigue – Feeling out of breath

WHAT ARE THE TRIGGERS OF ASTHMA? TRIGGERS are things or activities that causes or precipitate an Asthma attack and they include: • ALLERGENS : Mold, Dust mites, Cockroaches, pollens from trees of flowers, Foods e. g peanuts, eggs and fish • PETS: Hairs, saliva, urine etc • AIR POLLUTION: Smog, cigarette smoke, Paint fumes, hairsprays etc • EXERCISE • EMOTIONAL STRESS • STOMACH ACID REFLUX • PREMENSTRUAL TENSION

WHAT DO THE TRIGGERS DO? • People with Asthma have airways that are very sensitive and are chronically inflammed • The triggers makes this worse causing a narrowing of the airways • At the same time the body also produces mucus in excess that clogs these airways • These changes work together to restrict the flow of air in and out of the lungs causing the breathlessness and wheezing

WHAT THE TRIGGERS DO

WHEN TO SEEK EMERGENCY CARE • YOU ARE TOO BREATHLESS TO TALK OR WALK • USING A RESCUE INHALER DOES NOT WORK • YOUR LIPS AND FINGER NAILS TURN BLUE • These are signs that the body (blood) is not getting enough oxygen

WHO GETS ASTHMA? • It can appear at any age but usually starts in childhood • Those at risk include people with allergies and family history of Asthma • Having a parent with Asthma increases the chances three to six times • It is commoner in boys during childhood but more in women in adulthood

OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA • Common in certain types of jobs that work with fumes and dusts – Factory workers – Farmers – Painters – Veterinary workers

ASTHMA AND SMOKING • Studies have shown an association between smoking and development of Asthma • Strong evidence has also implicated second hand smoking • Children living within the house of a smoker have a higher chance of developing Asthma early in life

ASTHMA AND OBESITY • Asthma is commoner in people who are overweight • It is twice as common in obese patients than in people with a healthy BMI

HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE ASTHMA? • CLINICAL SYMPTOMS • CHEST EXAMINATION • LUNG FUNCTION TESTS – Spirometry • CHEST X-RAY

ASTHMA VS NORMAL CHEST X-RAY

EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA • Is a narrowing of the airway that occurs within 5 -20 mins after activity • It occurs in the vast majority of people with Asthma

MANAGING ASTHMA • • • AVOIDING ALLERGENS ALLERGY SHOTS LONG TERM MEDICATIONS RESCUE INHALERS NEBULIZATION PEAK FLOW METER