Asthma
Evaluation
Description—a chronic disorder of the airways characterized by
Variable airflow obstruction (usually reversible with treatment or spontaneously)
Bronchial hyper-responsiveness
Clinical—shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, cough (dry or productive)
Epidemiology—affects approximately 15 million Americans; 1.5 million emergency room (ER) visits each year
Risk factors—genetic (atopy) and environmental (exposures, allergens, viruses) factors
Classification (National Asthma Education and Prevention Program [NAEPP]) (see Table 2.9.1)
Treatment specifics
β2-agonists
Short-acting (for p.r.n. therapy)
Long-acting (for maintenance therapy, not to be used acutely)
Inhaled corticosteroids
Combined β2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids
Cromolyn sodium (Intal)
For chronic asthma—two puffs inhaled QID
For exercise-induced asthma—two puffs inhaled 10 to 60 minutes preexercise
Theophylline (Theolair, Theo-24 [sustained release version])
