Practice has shown that education and management of asthma patients is a very important part of asthma prevention and treatment. Asthma education can significantly improve asthma patients’ awareness of the disease, better cooperate with treatment and prevention, and achieve the purpose of reducing asthma attacks, maintaining long-term stability, and improving quality of life. Appropriate and flexible ones can be used according to different targets and specific situations.
Patients and their families can be educated systematically in a way that is acceptable to them, so that they can understand or master the following.
1. believe that asthma attacks can be completely and effectively controlled through long-term, appropriate and adequate treatment.
2.Understand the triggering factors of asthma, and identify the respective triggering factors and ways to avoid the triggers with the specific situation of each individual.
3.Understand the nature and pathogenesis of asthma.
4.Familiar with the aura of asthma attack and the corresponding treatment methods.
5.Learn to monitor the changes of their condition at home and evaluate them, with emphasis on the use of peak flow rate meter, and record the asthma diary if they are able to do so.
6.Learn simple emergency self-treatment methods in case of asthma attack.
7.Understand the role of commonly used asthma medications, correct dosage, usage and side effects.
8.Master the correct inhalation technique (MDI or Spacer usage).
9.Know when to go to the hospital for medical treatment.
10.Work out a plan with your doctor to prevent relapse and maintain long-term stability.
On this basis take all necessary measures for the long-term systematic management of the patient, including the following 6 relevant components.
1.Encourage asthma patients to establish a partnership with their health care providers.
2.Objectively evaluate the extent of asthma exacerbations by regular pulmonary function monitoring (PEF).
3.Avoid and control asthma promoters (triggers) to reduce recurrence.
4.Develop a medication plan for long-term management of asthma.
5.Develop a management plan for the exacerbation period.
6.Long-term regular follow-up health care.
The goals of successful asthma management.
1.Control and eliminate relevant symptoms, including nocturnal symptoms, as much as possible.
2.Prevent and control asthma attacks so that the number of visits to the hospital is minimized.
3.To keep lung function as close to normal as possible.
4.Ensure that patients can participate in normal activities, including physical exercise, and minimize the time missed from work and school due to illness.
5.Minimal dosage of agonists and even control the disease without them.
6.Minimal (or no) side effects of any drug.
7.Prevent the development of irreversible airway obstruction.
8.Prevent patients from sudden death.