Asthma

Everyone experiences asthma a little differently, and certain symptoms may resemble other respiratory problems, such as emphysema, bronchitis or lower respiratory infections. Symptoms can include:

• Chronic cough, especially at night
• Tightness
• Coughing
• Noisy breathing
• Wheezing

To diagnose your asthma and distinguish it from other lung disorders, your doctor will rely on a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, which may include:

• Spirometry: The test is performed by blowing as hard as possible into a tube connected to a small machine (a spirometer) that measures the amount and speed of air breathed in and out. This is one of the simplest, most common pulmonary function tests and is used for the following:
  • Determining how well the lungs receive, hold and utilize air
  • Monitoring lung disease
  • Monitoring effectiveness of treatment
  • Determining severity of a lung disease
  • Determining whether the lung disease is restrictive (decreased airflow) or obstructive (disruption of airflow)
• Peak Flow Monitoring (PFM): You take a deep breath and then blow as hard and fast as possible into a mouthpiece. During an asthma or other respiratory flare-up, the large airways in the lungs slowly begin to narrow. This will slow the speed of air leaving the lungs and can be measured by a PFM.
• Chest X-rays: This diagnostic test uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones and organs onto film.
• Blood tests: Blood tests are used to analyze the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood.
• Allergy tests

You and your closest family members are the most important people on your asthma treatment team. Along with your physician, your treatment team may include nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and social workers. This team will tailor treatment to you based on your age, overall health, medical history, symptoms and the extent of the disease. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed with medications, by learning to control episodes and the services offered by INTEGRIS:

• Testing: To confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the disease.
• Peak Flow Monitoring (PFM): You take a deep breath and then blow as hard and fast as possible into a mouthpiece. During an asthma or other respiratory flare-up, the large airways in the lungs slowly begin to narrow. This will slow the speed of air leaving the lungs and can be measured by a PFM.
• Prescription Medications: Such as inhalers. Medication therapy is designed to reverse and prevent the airway inflammation component of asthma, as well as to treat the narrowing airways.
• Education: Patient and family asthma education and medical information based on your individual needs. The more information a person with asthma has, the better asthma can be controlled.
• Trigger Avoidance: You’ll learn that certain things can “trigger” your asthma, and with time you can learn to identify and avoid or minimize contact with these asthma triggers. Immunotherapy can also be considered.
• Monitoring Symptoms: to recognize signs when asthma is getting worse.

Our pulmonary rehabilitation programs at INTEGRIS help you by creating individualized plans and education, so you can do more things you enjoy. Support services include:

• Stress management, relaxation exercises and emotional support
• Medication management
• Exercises for physical conditioning programs
• Assistance with obtaining respiratory equipment and portable oxygen
• Lung medication
• Infection control
• Oxygen and equipment