Maintaining Health and Wellness during Asthma

This article discusses the importance of maintaining health and wellness while managing asthma symptoms. It provides tips on avoiding triggers and promoting overall well-being. The article also includes information on risk and protective factors, as well as digital health resources for healthcare professionals and consumers.

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Maintaining Health and Wellness during Asthma
Overview
Asthma is a chronic disease condition of the lungs which is characterized by narrowing and swelling of the airways
coupled with the production of mucus. This results in increased difficulties for the individual to breathe with ease and
hence, triggers debilitating symptom like wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath [1]. Timely management of the
symptoms are one of the primary ways underlying management of this chronic condition. If left untreated, asthma can
aggravate to affect activities of daily living and hence result in symptoms like: chest pain and tightening, increased
wheezing and whistling during exhalation and increased breathlessness and coughing resulting in sleeplessness [2].
References
1. Pavord ID, Beasley R, Agusti A, Anderson GP, Bel E, Brusselle G, Cullinan P,
Custovic A, Ducharme FM, Fahy JV, Frey U. After asthma: redefining
airways diseases. The Lancet. 2018 Jan 27;391(10118):350-400.
2. Akinbami LJ, Simon AE, Rossen LM. Changing trends in asthma prevalence
among children. Pediatrics. 2016 Jan;137(1):1.
3. Beasley R, Semprini A, Mitchell EA. Risk factors for asthma: is prevention
possible?. The Lancet. 2015 Sep 12;386(9998):1075-85.
4. Castro-Rodriguez JA, Forno E, Rodriguez-Martinez CE, Celedón JC. Risk and
protective factors for childhood asthma: what is the evidence?. The
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2016 Nov
1;4(6):1111-22.
5. McClure N, Lutenbacher M, O'Kelley E, Dietrich MS. Enhancing pediatric
asthma care and nursing education through an academic practice
partnership. Journal of pediatric nursing. 2017 Sep 1;36:64-9.
6. Chapman SC, Barnes N, Barnes M, Wilkinson A, Hartley J, Piddock C,
Weinman J, Horne R. Changing adherence-related beliefs about ICS
maintenance treatment for asthma: feasibility study of an intervention
delivered by asthma nurse specialists. BMJ open. 2015 Jun 1;5(6):e007354.
7. Isik E, Fredland NM, Freysteinson WM. School and Community-based
Nurse-led Asthma Interventions for School-aged Children and Their
Parents: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of pediatric nursing. 2019
Jan 1;44:107-14.
8. George M, Abboud S, Pantalon MV, Sommers ML, Mao J, Rand C. Changes
in clinical conversations when providers are informed of asthma patients'
beliefs about medication use and integrative medical therapies. Heart &
Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care. 2016 Jan 1;45(1):70-8.
9. Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Clinical Guidelines (Nursing) :
Asthma Inpatient Discharge Education [Internet]. Rch.org.au. 2019 [cited
16 April 2019]. Available from:
https://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/hospital_clinical_guideline_index/Asthma
_Inpatient_Discharge_Education/.
10. National Asthma Council Australia. The National Asthma Council Australia
[Internet]. Nationalasthma.org.au. 2019 [cited 16 April 2019]. Available
from: https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-asthma/asthma-
action-plans.
Risk and Protective Factors
A number of risk factors are associated with an
individual’s increased susceptibility to acquire
asthma. These include: obesity, smoking, family
history of asthma, exposure to air pollutants like
smoke and exhaust fumes or chemical fumigants
and sprays in occupations like hairdressing, farming
and construction sites [3]. Proactive factors which
may reduce the possibilities of an individual
acquiring asthma in childhood and later life include:
adequate breastfeeding practices, maternal diet
consumption rich in Vitamin E and individual
consumption of a Mediterranean diet rich in
antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids by including foods
like fruits, vegetables and fishes [4].
Digital Health Resources
For Health Professionals:
https://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/hospital_clinical_guideline_index/Asthma_In
patient_Discharge_Education/.
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne provides key insights for health
professionals like nurses on the management of asthma by discussing
extensively on the various procedures of asthma screening and assessment as
well the essential educational components to be followed for initiating the
discharge plan of a patient suffering from asthma [9].
For Consumers: https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-
asthma/asthma-action-plans.
The National Asthma Council of Australia provides a useful online health
resources for consumers suffering from or knowing a family member with
asthma. The resources discusses extensively on strategies underlying
formulation of a written action plan and ways with which the same can be used
Health and Wellness
To prevent asthma associated exacerbations and promote
health and wellness among patients, the nurse must
collaboratively work with the patient to identify potential
trigger factors such as dust, pollen, smoke, fumes or pollen
and instruct the patient to avoid exposure or undertake
eradication of such triggers from is his or her household
[5]. To further maintain health and wellness, the nurse
must provide discharge education and instruct patients on
recognition of symptoms like wheezing and coughing or
household measurement of breathing patterns using peak
flow meter and report the same to the healthcare
organization in case of emergencies [6]. Along with
performing a chest assessment to evaluate tightening and
pain, the nurse must educate the patient to adhere strictly
to the prescribed medication plan of nebulizer and
bronchodilator usage [7]. The nurse may also refer the
patient for a multidisciplinary treatment and consider
usage of complementary therapies such as yoga, breathing
exercises and antioxidant rich diet consumption for
wellbeing [8].
Source: Children's Hospital of
Richmond. What is asthma? [Internet].
Chrichmond.org. 2019 [cited 16 April
2019]. Available from:
https://chrichmond.org/What-is-
asthma.htm
Source: Asthma
Foundation NZ. Asthma
First Aid [Internet].
Asthmafoundation.org.
nz. 2019 [cited 16 April
2019]. Available from:
https://www.asthmafo
undation.org.nz/your-
health/living-with-
asthma/asthma-first-
aid
Source: Asthma Foundation NZ. Asthma First Aid
[Internet]. Asthmafoundation.org.nz. 2019 [cited
16 April 2019]. Available from:
https://www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/your-
health/living-with-asthma/asthma-first-aid