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Asthma
Asthma is a major public health problem in the United States and across the world. Being considered one of the most common chronic childhood illnesses, nearly five million children are diagnosed with asthma. It is also a leading cause of school absences. In a classroom of 30 children, two or more are likely to have asthma, whether they know it or not. There is no cure for asthma, however with the proper use of medications and avoiding asthma triggers, it can be controlled.

Respiratory therapists at the Center for Disease Management work with patients to educate them about their condition. Therapists assist individuals in understanding what causes asthma and how asthma attacks are triggered. Regular assessments and ongoing monitoring of asthma are essential to determine if the goals of therapy are being met.

St. Rita's Center for Disease Management is dedicated to helping better the health of asthma patients. The goals of the asthma program include:

  • Prevent Chronic and Troublesome Symptoms
  • Maintain Optimal Lung Function and Activity Levels
  • Prevent Recurrent Attacks of Asthma
  • Minimize the Need for Emergency Department Visits or Hospitalizations
  • Provide Optimum Medication Therapy with Minimal or No Adverse Affects
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What is asthma?
Asthma is a lung disease of the airways. It is a chronic illness that produces episodes of breathing problems such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Asthma cannot be cured, however it can be controlled. Asthma is genetic and tends to run in families.

What are the symptoms of asthma?
People with asthma often experience the following symptoms:

  • Shortness of Breath
  • Wheezing
  • Tightness in the Chest
  • Coughing at Night
  • Coughing after Physical Activity
  • Coughing that Lasts More than One Week
  • Waking at Night with Asthma Symptoms (a Key Marker of Uncontrolled Asthma)
  • Sensitivities to Certain “Triggers”
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What happens during an episode of asthma?
When someone is experiencing an episode of asthma, the lining of their airways becomes swollen. Their airways produce a thick mucus and the muscles around the airways tighten making them narrow and hard to breathe.

What makes asthma worse?
Asthma patients find that their disease is worsened by many agents. These might include, but are not limited to: allergens such as warm-blooded pets, dust mites, cockroaches, pollens from grass and trees, and indoor or outdoor molds; irritants such as cigarette smoke, scented products like hair spray, cosmetics or cleaning products, strong odors from fresh paint or cooking and chemicals such as pesticides and lawn treatments; infections in their upper airways (colds); exercise; strong expression of feelings (crying or laughing); and changes in weather and temperature.

Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. You should expect nothing less!

How is asthma controlled?
At St. Rita's Medical Center, asthma patients are set-up with an individualized asthma management plan. They are encouraged to avoid and/or control exposure to certain things which will make their asthma worse which will vary per person. Each patient is given a physician signed Care Plan based on the severity of their asthma which includes long-term control medication as well as quick relief medication for asthma episodes. The St. Rita's Disease Management Team monitors the patient's response to the treatment through their recurring symptoms, peak flow results and regular visits. Patients are educated to know their asthma so that they can recognize when it is worsening to allow all symptoms to be treated at the first sign of worsening. Patients are closely monitored and are sent to a physician for assistance when necessary.

The Asthma Management Program at St. Rita's Medical Center has regular educational sessions every Monday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and some Saturday morning programs. The class does not require an appointment. This class is free of charge to all clinic patients, however a physician's referral to the clinic is required. Follow-up reports are submitted directly to your primary care physician.

Symptom history and physicals are performed routinely on Tuesdays as needed and require an appointment. These can also be performed on other days on an as needed basis.

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Did You Know:
Asthma accounts for 14 million lost school days annually. It is the leading cause of school absenteeism attributed to a chronic condition.
-Source: American Lung Association