PAT 20A/B Final: PATHO-treatment of Asthma
21 Jan 2017
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Document Summary
1: control of factors contributing to asthma severity. Prevention of exposure to irritants and factors that increase asthma symptoms and precipitate asthma exacerbations. Education of the patient and family regarding measures to avoid exposure to irritants and allergens that are known to induce or trigger an attack: environmental tobacco smoke, air pollution. A careful history to identify all contributory factors: nasal polyps, history of aspirin sensitivity, gerd. Annual influenza vaccination for persons with persistent asthma. Relaxation techniques and controlled breathing: decreases panic and anxiety that worsen breathing, the hyperventilation that often accompanies anxiety and panic is known to act as an asthmatic trigger, pharmacologic treatment. They relax bronchial smooth muscle and provide prompt relief of symptoms usually within 30 minutes. An increase in the use of short-acting b2 agonists or use of more than one canister in a month indicates progression or inadequate control of the disease. Block the postganglionic efferent vagal pathways that cause bronchoconstriction.
