Asthma

Name: Aisyah
NPM : 12-168

Overview
Asthma What is it?
Pathophysiology of asthma
Symptoms of asthma
Prognosis of asthma
What is work-related asthma?
How common is work-related asthma?
What substances trigger asthma?
How asthma is treated?
Clues that suggest asthma may be work-related
What YOU can do if you have asthma
Diagnosis

Asthma What is It?

Asthma is a chronic lung

disease that obstructs airflow

The obstruction is reversible
It involves difficulty in

breathing due to
Inflammation (swelling)
Mucus in the airways
Tightening of muscles around

the airways

Pathophysiology
Asthma pathophysiology is quite
difficult and insufficiently studied.
Undoubtedly, in most cases the disease is
based on 1 type hypersensitivity reaction.
The genesis of any allergic reaction may be
divided into immune, pathochemical and
pathophysio-logic phases.

Symptoms of asthma
Coughing
Wheezing, a whistling sound
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Sneezing & runny nose
Itchy and inflamed eyes

Prognosis
In case of early detection and adequate

treatment the prognosis for the disease

is favourable.
It becomes serious in severe persistent
and poorly controlled (insensitive for
corticosteroids) asthma.

What is work-related asthma?

Pre-existing asthma that is triggered or made worse by

exposure to one or more substances in the workenvironment

OR

Asthma that is caused by exposure to substances in the

work-environment

Signs and symptoms are the same for asthma and

work-related asthma

How common is asthma?

About 20 million Americans currently have asthma
About 8% of Utah adults have asthma

Up to 20% of all adult asthma cases maybe work-

related asthma

Of those diagnosed with work-related asthma:

20-27% are individuals with pre-existing asthma who react to

substances in the workplace

Up to 80% develop asthma due to work-place exposures

Increasing rates
Asthma rates have been increasing in the United States for

both adults and children, males and females, and in the

different races and ethnicities.
It is estimated that the number of people with asthma
worldwide will increase by 25% in the next 15 years.

Asthma prevalence
In the United States:
More females than males have asthma.
Blacks and American Indian/Alaska natives have higher
percentages of asthma than Whites, Hispanics, and Asians.

What substances trigger asthma?

Type of Substance

Examples

Air pollutants, including dusts,

smoke, mists & fumes

Diesel exhaust; tobacco smoke;

mineral, rock, coal, & wood dusts;
gases; fumes & vapors from
aerosol agents, chemicals,
cleaning materials, solvents,
paints, welding & from heating &
cooling metals quickly

Pollens, mites & molds

Trees, flowers, weeds, hay, plants

Animal dander

Birds, cats, dogs

Medications

Aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs

Foods

Egg, wheat, nuts

Some allergens which may cause

asthma
Spittle, excrements,
hair and fur
of domestic
animals

House-dust mites which live in

carpets, mattresses and
upholstered furniture

Plant pollen

Dust of
book
depositories

Pharmacological
agents (enzymes,
antibiotics, vaccines,
serums)

Food components
(stabilizers, genetically
modified products)

Can asthma be cured?

Asthma can be controlled (but not cured) by:
Avoiding triggers or reducing exposure to triggers
Using medication to control symptoms

Medications - generally two types are used

Controller or long-term drugs

Taken to prevent excess production of mucus & to reduce

the inflammation and constriction of airway muscles

Rescue or quick-relief drugs

Taken to relax muscles around the airways to improve

breathing

Poorly controlled asthma leads to:

Increased visits to
Doctor, Urgent Care Clinic or Hospital ER
Hospitalizations
Limitations in daily activities
Lost work days
Lower quality of life
Death

What clues suggest that asthma is

work-related?
Do symptoms:
Occur only at work or regularly after a work-shift?
Improve on weekends or vacations?
Increase over the course of the work week?
Improve after changes in the work environment?

Information to share with doctor

Discuss your symptoms.
When do they occur?
How often do they occur?
Time of day or week that symptoms are worse
Times you feel better
Identify

Substances in the work-place to which you are

exposed
Current and previous jobs, hobbies, and smoking
habits that may affect your lungs

What YOU can do if you have asthma?

Identify and minimize contact with your asthma

trigger(s)

Understand and take asthma medications as prescribed

Recognize early signs that your asthma is getting worse
Know what to do when your asthma is getting worse

Diagnosis
Typical clinical
manifestations and
lung function
assessment are
sufficient for
diagnosis of
asthma.

Based on:
Medical history
Physical examination
Test results

Video Asthma

Thank You