Asthma education: Creating a partnership

This article advances the theory that the key to creating an effective part nership is teaching asthma patients what to self-treat, how to self-treat, and when to consult a clinician. The five comanaging rules that the health educator is encouraged to emphasize with the adult asthma patient are: know your own unique asthma symptoms and triggers; keep written records; see ap propriate specialists; know your medicines and follow your action plan; and accept no treatment you do not understand. Current research shows asthma t o bt a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. In susceptible individ uals, this inflammation causes recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessne ss, chest tightness, and cough, particularly at night and in the early morn ing. The stepwise approach to asthma therapy divides asthma into several le vels of severity. However, patients at any level of severity can have mild, moderate, or severe exacerbations. Asthma triggers; how to use a metered d ose inhaler (MDI), a dry powder inhaler (DPI), and a peak flow meter; and h ow to follow an asthma action plan are thoroughly covered. The last section of the article deals at length with the indications for and actions of lon g-term-control medications, used to achieve and maintain control of persist ent asthma, and quick-relief medications, used to treat symptoms and exacer bations.