Walden NURS 6521 Asthma and Stepwise Management

 
 

Asthma and Stepwise Management

Student’s Name:

Institutional Affiliation:

 

 

Objectives
Brief discussion of Asthma and its symptoms.
Description of options for treatment for quick-relief long-term control.
Explanation of stepwise approach in treating and managing asthma.
Explanation of benefits of the stepwise strategy for care providers and asthma patients.
 

Asthma
Chronic illness severely impacting the airways.
Results in airways swelling, narrowing and producing excessive mucus.
As a consequence, breathing becomes difficult and wheezing and coughing is triggered.
Condition varies from person to person.
Can be minor nuisance or a severe effect interfering with daily activities.
It cannot be cured but symptoms can be managed.
 

Long Term Controls
Therapy’s goal involves controlling asthma through;
– Impairment reduction

– Reducing Risk

Involves taking vital medications to keep asthma under control.
Preventive medications used in treating airway inflammation that causes symptoms like coughing or breathlessness.
Medications are used daily to eliminate or reduce asthma flair-ups.
Examples include:
– Corticosteroids

– Immunomodulators,

– Methylxanthines, and

– Long acting beta agonists (Can et al., 2020).

 

Quick Relief
Also referred to as rescue medications or inhalers.
Utilized as needed for quick opening of airways to make breathing easier.
The medications can aid in preventing impeding asthma attacks.
Involves fast-acting medications like:
– Anticholinergics

– Short acting beta agonists.

Stepwise Approach
Involves appropriate monitoring of medication utilized in controlling and managing asthma.
Involves increasing or decreasing medications as necessary to achieve or maintain control.
Applicable to all patients with asthma.
It decreases morbidity and improves self-management.
Includes six steps used in ensuring the best results are attained.
 



 

Benefits to Care Providers and Patients
Patient empowerment and education
Providers can control the environment around the asthma condition to manage it effectively.
Reduction of exacerbations.
Control of comorbidities and reduction of impairments.
Guidance to providers on how to balance medications for the patient.
 

Conclusion
Asthma is a chronic illness severely impacting the airways.
Long-term control medications are the key to keeping your asthma controlled and in the green zone.
Quick relief medications give fast relief for asthma symptoms and can prevent impeding asthma attacks
Asthma management recommendations integrate various therapy components into a stepwise therapeutic approach where medications are adjusted for achievement and maintenance of control.
The stepwise approach is beneficial to both care providers and patients in attaining control and management of asthma.
 

References
Blake, K., & Raissy, H. (2018). Asthma Guidelines from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program: Where Are We Now?. Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, 31(1), 37-39.