Asthma How do you deal with it?

Dr. Niroshan Thiruchelfam stressed that developing a plan to deal with cases of asthma in consultation and coordination with the specialized doctor is a very important step for patients to avoid unexpected asthma attacks, pointing out the importance of patients as well as the people who take care of them with an adequate level of understanding and awareness about Mechanism of developing a plan to deal with asthma cases and follow-up.

(Before continuing, we emphasize that the information here is general and for guidance only. If you have asthma or have a child or a person with asthma, consult your doctor first and last).

The pulmonologist at Cleveland Clinic stressed the importance of asthma patients and those who care for them understanding the symptoms related to asthma attacks and the steps they should take when the condition worsens, noting the importance of coordination between patients and health care providers to deal with With symptoms and not allowing them to get worse.

The sensitivity of asthmatic patients increases with the presence of dust, so what are the most important tips that reduce its symptoms?The sensitivity of asthmatic patients increases with the presence of dust, so what are the most important tips that reduce its symptoms?

Asthma management plan

The Asthma Management Plan helps enhance patients' readiness in the event of an attack, as well as improve their daily lifestyle. This plan can be an important tool for patients as well as caregivers and doctors to deal with the condition and its symptoms. For parents and guardians, such plans are an important guiding resource for nurses and teachers to deal with children with asthma.

Asthma management plans usually include contact information and a list of medications which are colour-coded, or "zones", and are usually color-coded green, yellow and red. These areas help determine what steps to take depending on the severity of your symptoms.

The plan should also include information and other items such as the patient's immunization history, including dates of receiving the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Thiruchelfam

noted

The action plan should also take into account everything that the patient may encounter during an asthma attack and what needs to be done to deal with the condition and treat the symptoms.

The sensitivity of asthmatic patients increases with the presence of dust, so what are the most important tips that reduce its symptoms?

Avoid triggers

Dr. Thiruchelfam pointed out that individual care is the basis for dealing with asthma cases, saying, "When it comes to dealing with asthma cases in particular, the patient must take care to avoid the causes and have a sufficient level of awareness to treat the symptoms, which may arise during sickness attack".

He added, "Of course, the plan to deal with the disease varies according to each patient's condition, and patients will need to coordinate with their doctors about the best plans for their cases. The plan must be discussed with the doctor during visits and updated to monitor any developments in symptoms, as the doctor may need to change the medications that they take. The patient takes it to control an asthma attack.

Below, Dr. Thiruchelfam outlined the elements of a typical asthma action plan, as well as additional steps, to be taken if a child has an asthma attack.

Contact information

Your asthma action plan should contain important contact information, including the patient's name, doctor information, and the name and phone number of your emergency contact. It should also include the date the business plan was created, so that anyone reviewing it will know how recent it is.

Symptoms and medications according to regions

One of the sections in the action plan should include a list of symptoms to be identified. Based on this, the specialist doctor writes the appropriate steps that the patient must follow. Depending on the etiology, symptoms, and steps taken previously, each area of ​​the action plan identifies medications and actions to be taken.

The green "Go" zone determines which medications the patient takes daily to control asthma attacks. The patient in the green zone can get a good amount of sleep at night, breathe at a good rate without any coughing or wheezing, as well as work and play during the day. The green area also lists medications to be taken in case of exercise-induced asthma.

The yellow Caution area outlines additional steps the patient should take, as well as the need to continue taking all medications marked in the green area.

Patients follow these steps if they have the first signs of a cold, experience unknown triggers, or feel any symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, or coughing at night. In addition to taking the medicines indicated in the yellow area, the patient must contact the specialist doctor to update him on the condition.

The role of the red "Danger" zone comes if the asthma attack continues to worsen even after the patient has taken the medicines shown in the green and yellow areas. This section identifies additional medications, which the patient must take when the usual medications do not help in controlling the condition and breathing is difficult and rapid or the patient has difficulty speaking or enlarged nostrils.

In addition to taking the medicines listed in the red area, the patient or the person caring for him should contact a doctor immediately and, if this is not possible, go directly to the emergency room.

Best expiratory flow rate

Expiratory flow rate refers to the speed at which a patient can push air out of the lungs when they are blowing hard and as fast as they can. Expiratory flow rate varies between people and is determined using an expiratory flow meter. The patient's best expiratory flow rate should be recorded in the action plan, as well as the expiratory flow rates for each area in the plan.

Causes/ Triggers

Everyone has different triggers that can trigger an asthma attack, whether it's a change in weather or seasons, certain foods, dust, exercise, or even emotional triggers or triggers, and all of the triggers must be mentioned in the plan.

Kids' 4 4 4 Rule

In addition to the steps in the action plan, the "4 4 4" rule is important for knowing how to act when children have an active asthma attack. This shortcut will help the parent, nanny, or teacher remember details to help the child use the inhaler during an episode.

When the child shows symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing or any other symptoms associated with asthma, the rule "4 4 4" is as follows:

-The child sits upright.

-Give 4 puffs one after the other from the inhaler.

-Wait 4 minutes.

-If there is no improvement, give 4 more puffs.

By developing an asthma action plan and knowing the 4 4 ​​4 rule, patients and the people who care for them can be confident that they are prepared to deal with potential asthma attacks.Copies of the action plan should be available at home, the doctor's office and school The children's care center.

Source : German