Asthma

What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic breathing disease.

The air tubes called bronchioles are over-reactive to

things in the environment that normally shouldnt bother you.

It causes inflammation (redness & swelling) inside the

air tubes (bronchioles).

This causes the muscles around the tubes to become

irritable and twitchy causing muscle tightness like a cramp.

What Asthma looks like inside

Why do I have Asthma?

Asthma is one of the most common breathing disorders
in the world.

Genetics plays a part, but scientists are not sure why

some people develop asthma and others do not.

You are more likely to have asthma if one or both

parents had or have asthma, allergies (hayfever) or eczema (skin condition).

You are more likely to have asthma if youve have/had

allergies or eczema as a child.

Can Asthma be cured?

Unfortunately asthma cannot be cured. It can be treated simply by taking medications
like inhalers, puffers and pills.

These medications need to be taken daily or as

directed by your doctor to prevent asthma flareups or attacks and prevent visits to the Emergency Room.

What are the symptoms of Asthma?

Coughing

Chest heaviness
Shortness of breath Shortness of breath and cough when you exercise or
run

Awaking up at night with cough and shortness of breath

Coughing when you laugh or cry

How do I know I have Asthma?

Your doctor may:

Do a physical examination. Send you for some blood tests. Send you for a chest X-Ray. Arrange a breathing test called a pulmonary function test (PFT) or spirometry. Have you take some asthma medications to see if they help your symptoms.

Spirometry (a breathing test)

This is a simple painless test

Usually done on people older

than 5-6 years old

You breathe into a special

computer

We give a medicine
(salbutomol) to open the breathing tubes

We re-test to see if the

medicine helps

Based on the report it tells

your doctor if you have a breathing disorder

How do I treat Asthma?

Asthma is treated with medications called
corticosteroids.

These medications when taken correctly reduce

the inflammation (redness & swelling) inside the tubes and make the muscles around the air tubes less twitchy.

As the swelling in the air tubes goes down the

asthma symptoms are greatly reduced. This takes time and does not happen right away.

How do I know if my Asthma is under control?

Do you cough, wheeze, or have a tight chest because of your ast
hma? (3 or more times a week)

Do coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness wake you at night?(1 o

r more times a week)

Do you stop exercising because of your asthma?

(In the past 3 months)

Do you ever miss work or school because of your asthma

(In the past 3 months)

Do you use your blue inhaler more than 3 times a week?

If you said YES to any of the above questions then you should speak to your doctor about your asthma control.

If you think you may have Asthma, ask your doctor for a breathing test.

COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

What is COPD?
Chronic meaning all the time Obstructive meaning something is blocking your
breathing tubes, making it harder

Pulmonary meaning in the lungs Disease meaning medical condition, sickness

Disease like chronic bronchitis and emphysema are
also known as COPD.

What is COPD?
COPD is a common, preventable and treatable
lung disease.

It may cause: Coughing Coughing that brings up phlegm Shortness of breath at rest or when you walk
or do activities (getting winded) Multiple chest colds that last longer than your family and friends

Why do I have COPD?

COPD usually caused by smoking.
First and second hand smoke primarily Includes cigarettes, pipes, cigar, marijuana

Many times it does not matter how long or how much you have
smoked, anyone can develop COPD.

More men tend to have COPD.

Usually COPD patients are over 40 years old. Other causes include:

Indoor cooking, fires Chemical exposures Air pollution Occupational exposures Genetic causes like A1AT

Can COPD be cured?

Unfortunately COPD
cannot be cured.

Continued smoking
makes COPD worse more quickly.

The more lung

infections and pneumonias you get can make COPD worse.

How do I know I have COPD?

Do you:

Cough regularly? Do you cough up phlegm regularly? Do even simple chores make you short of breath? Do you wheeze when you exert yourself or at night Do you get frequent colds that last longer than those of other people you know?

Have your doctor arrange a breathing test

called a pulmonary function test (PFT) or spirometry.

How do I treat COPD?

COPD is treated by:
Quitting smoking Medications like inhalers and pills Regular exercise, keeping active Getting a flu and pneumonia
immunization

Inhaled medications

What are the different kinds of inhalers?

Anti-inflammatory Inhalers (Controller):
Flovent Qvar Alvesco

Muscle relaxer-type inhalers (Controller and Rescue*):

Spiriva Servent Ventolin* Oxeze*

Combination Inhalers (Controller):

Zenhale Advair Symbicort*

What do my inhalers do?

Relax the air tubes, opening them up to
let more air in and out of the tubes.

Reduce the swelling, redness and

irritation inside the air tubes letting more air in and out of the tubes.

Keep the lungs as open as possible to

make it easier to breathe.

I do not take my puffers regularly, why should I?

These medications are designed to be used daily or
twice a day if it is a preventer medication.

They only work for a certain amount of time or wear off

so they need to be re-taken.

Medications are one of our tools to making your

symptoms and condition better.

The medications allow you control of your condition

and symptoms.

Only your rescue medication should be used as you

need it.

How do I take my Diskus?

Open: with the thumb-grip

Click: slide the lever and your will

here a Click

Exhale: breath out away from the

Diskus

Inhale: breath in deep and fast Hold: your breath for 5-10
seconds

Close: the device

How to use a Diskus

How to use a Diskus

How to use a Diskus

How to use a Diskus

How to use a Diskus

How do I take my inhaler with a spacer?

Take off the cap

Place mouthpiece into spacer

Breathe out through spacer or Breath away from spacer

Put mouth around mouthpiece

Press inhaler down Breathe in slowly

Hold your breath for 5-10 seconds

Repeat if needed, waiting 30
seconds between puffs

Using an inhaler with a chamber

Using an inhaler with a chamber

Using an inhaler with a chamber

Using an inhaler with a chamber

Using an inhaler with a chamber

How use my Handihaler?

Open the dust-cap

Open the mouthpiece

Put the blue pill in the hole Close the mouthpiece

Push the green piercing button

Breathe out Put the mouthpiece in your mouth

Breathe deeply and fast

Hold your breath for 5-10 seconds

How to use a Handihaler

How to use a Handihaler

How to use a Handihaler

How to use a Handihaler

How to use a Handihaler

How to use a Handihaler

How do I use my Turbuhaler?

Take off the cap Hold upright Twist the coloured bottom Hear a click Breath out Put inhaler into your mouth Breath in deep and fast Hold your breath Repeat if needed Replace cap

How to use a Turbuhaler

How to use a Turbuhaler

How to use a Turbuhaler

How to use a Turbuhaler

How to use a Turbuhaler

I smoke, how can I quit?

Before I quit (1-6 months before you plan to quit)
Ask your doctor for help See a smoking cessation counselor (ask your doctor) Count how many cigarettes a day you smoke a
day/week Make a list of things that make you want to smoke Set a quit date

Quitting
After you have set your quit date, make sure
you let your family and friends know

When I am quitting
Watch for things that make you want to smoke
and avoid them Address and do not ignore cravings Use the NRT properly, take appropriately Exercise Make good lifestyle choices (foods, snacks)

Do not get frustrated if you do not succeed

It takes many tries to quit smoking.
Studies show it may take as many as 7 tries before you
are successful in quitting.

Each time you try, you learn an new tip on how to quit.
Ask for help and tips from your friends who have quit or
your doctor

What options do I have when I am ready to quit smoking?

See your doctor or pharmacist to discuss options like:
Visiting a smoking cessation counselor Discuss which is the most appropriate nicotine
replacement therapy (NRT) for you. If a prescribed medication like Champix or Zyban is appropriate for you. Ways to avoid your triggers

What is Nicotine Replacement (NRT)?

Nicotine replacement gives the body the nicotine it is
craving when you are trying to quit

The chemicals inhaled are the things that damage the

lungs

Comes in stages 1-3 based on amount smoked

Comes in many different types:

Patches Gum Inhaler Lozenges

Examples of types of NRT

If you have any questions about your breathing, ask your doctor or any health care provider.

If you have any questions ask your doctor or any health care provider.

Yes its that simple!