Asthma Video Series

Illustration of a blue asthma inhaler with an orange cap, set against a yellow circular background. The inhaler is depicted with a long shadow.

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Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects more than 300 million people around the world and 24+ million in the United States. If you’re curious about this prevalent condition, you might be wondering, “What is asthma?” and how does it occur? Asthma is characterized by recurrent respiratory symptoms – cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Asthma impacts people of all ages, but it is most common in male children and female adults.

Genetics and environmental factors, including early childhood exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, play a role in development of asthma.

Asthma can be triggered by breathing in allergens and irritants, such as pollen, mold, tobacco smoke, air pollution and dust mites. The immune system views these substances as a threat and produces chemicals called antibodies. The substances then cause inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to an asthma attack.

Asthma can be managed effectively with medications. Reducing exposure to triggers is key to managing the disease. It is important for patients to learn as much as possible about asthma, its triggers, and how it’s managed.

These quick videos provide an overview of asthma, including diagnosis, symptoms, medications and management strategies.  If there are any videos you’d like to see in our “Learning Pathways: Info in Minutes” series, please contact us at Allergy & Asthma Network.

Asthma 101:

Slide 1

Welcome to Allergy & Asthma Network’s Patient Learning Pathways series.  Today we’ll be looking at the basics of asthma.

Slide 2

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation, or swelling, in the airways and lungs.  The muscles around the airways can tighten and the airway can fill with mucus, making it difficult to breathe.

Slide 3

Most people with asthma experience one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Chest tightness
  • Shortness of breath

Slide 4

Asthma is a syndrome – not just a single disease

Environmental and genetic factors cause the inflammation that leads to asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and more.  Each person’s experience with asthma can be unique to them.

Slide 5

There are 2 parts of asthma:

Quiet Asthma – airway inflammation and swelling that results in narrowing of the airways (called bronchospasm). Sometimes a person with asthma isn’t even aware this is happening. Without treatment, inflammation increases, and symptoms get worse.

Slide 6

Noisy Asthma – irritation triggers an asthma flare. You hear coughing and wheezing and feel short of breath.  This part of asthma is easy to identify.

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What causes an asthma flare?

A trigger – such as an irritant, allergen or infection – inflames the airways and produces mucus.

Different people have different triggers for their asthma.  If you have asthma, it’s important to know and avoid your triggers.

Slide 8

What are some common triggers?

  • Tobacco smoke
  • Strong odors
  • Chemicals
  • Animal dander
  • Dust
  • Dust mites
  • Mold

A viral infection like a cold or the flu can cause an asthma flare.

Slide 9

Other asthma triggers include environmental allergens such as pollen, certain drugs, exercise, weather changes and GERD, which stands for Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Slide 10

Is asthma serious? It can be. Learn how to keep your asthma under control so you can stay healthy.

Slide 11

How do I know if I have asthma? See your healthcare provider.

Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and do a thorough physical examination. They may also perform some tests – spirometry, allergy testing or another necessary test.

Slide 12

If you have asthma, be sure to work with your doctor on developing an Asthma Action Plan. This document tells you when to take your medications, helps you avoid your triggers and explains what to do when you need help.

Slide 13

People with asthma can lead full, healthy and active lives when their symptoms are under control!

Slide 14

Join us soon for another Patient Learning Pathways presentation. Allergy & Asthma Network is working every day to end the needless death and suffering due to asthma, allergies and related conditions through outreach, education, advocacy and research.

Asthma Management:

Slide 1

Welcome to Allergy & Asthma Network’s Patient Learning Pathways series.  Today we’re going to look at ways to manage your asthma.

Slide 2

With an asthma management plan and the right medication, you can live an active and healthy life.

Slide 3

Let’s look at some questions that people have about their asthma.

Slide 4

Can I exercise?  About 1 in 10 people have asthma symptoms after 5 to 10 minutes of exercise.  It’s best to warm up, cool down and take your medications as directed before exercising with asthma. Pay attention to temperature, weather and air quality.  It’s important to be physically active, so talk to your doctor before deciding to limit exercise.

Slide 5

How does pregnancy affect asthma?  Asthma can be unpredictable for moms-to-be.  Talk with your doctor – it’s usually important to continue taking your asthma medications for you and your baby’s health.

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How do I create an “Asthma Healthy Home”?  Say “no” to smoking, prevent mold, control pests and limit exposure to dust. Upgrade your air filter and keep your ducts clean.

Slide 7

It’s also important to keep pets out of the bedroom and either remove carpets for hardwood  floors or clean carpets regularly.  Put dust mite-proof covers on mattresses and pillows and avoid strong odors in cleaning supplies.

Slide 8

Smoking is a known asthma trigger and it’s the 2nd most cited cause of asthma flares.  There is no amount of secondhand smoke that is OK for people with asthma.  If you have asthma or someone in your household has asthma, it’s important to quit smoking.

Slide 9

There are 5 building blocks for better breathing!

1. Be an active member of your healthcare team.

Slide 10

2. Know your asthma triggers and how to avoid them.

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3. Know your medications and how to use them.

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4. Know your own body – treat asthma flares early so they don’t become severe.

Slide 13

5. Live a healthy lifestyle!  Exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep!

Slide 14

Join us soon for another Patient Learning Pathways presentation. Allergy & Asthma Network is working every day to end the needless death and suffering due to asthma, allergies and related conditions through outreach, education, advocacy and research.

Asthma Medication:

Slide 1

Welcome to Allergy & Asthma Network’s Patient Learning Pathways series.  Today we’ll look at medications useful in treating asthma.

Slide 2

Asthma medications play a central role in your asthma treatment plan.  It’s important to know what they do and when to take them.

Slide 3

Different asthma medications do different things – some reduce inflammation, some interrupt an allergic reaction and some relieve coughing and wheezing.

Slide 4

Inhaled Quick-Relief Bronchodilators

These short-acting inhalers relieve symptoms by relaxing muscles of the airway.  Use this inhaler at the first sign of symptoms.  If your doctor tells you to, you may use this before exercise to prevent symptoms.

Your doctor may refer to these as short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) medications.

Slide 5

Long-Acting Bronchodilators

These help reduce bronchospasm and are usually taken 2 times a day.  They are usually used with inhaled corticosteroids and they do NOT relieve sudden asthma symptoms.  You need to take these medications even when you don’t feel like you have asthma symptoms.

Your doctor may refer to these as long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) medications.

Slide 6

Inhaled Anti-Inflammatory Corticosteroids

These treat inflammation in the lungs.  They are taken daily using an inhaler or a nebulizer to help maintain asthma control each day.  Inhaled corticosteroids are NOT the same as anabolic steroids used to build muscle and they have fewer side effects than oral corticosteroids.  They are safe to use and an important part of asthma therapy.

Your doctor may refer to them as ICS.

Slide 7

Oral Corticosteroids

These reduce airway inflammation and decrease mucus in your airways.  They are given as pills prescribed to treat an asthma flare for usually no more than 5-7 days. Talk with your doctor about the risks of severe side effects, especially if prescribed for long-term use. Oral corticosteroids are NOT related to anabolic steroids – they are not the same as the type of steroids athletes use to build muscles.

Your doctor may refer to them as OCS.

Slide 8

Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists

These open your airways for about 24 hours and reduce the risk of an asthma flare.  Taken daily, they are often an “add-on” medication meaning they are combined with inhaled corticosteroids or long-acting bronchodilators.  Watch for an allergic reaction or breathing issues.

Slide 9

Inhaled Combination Medications

These are a combined inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator. They treat both airway inflammation and reduce bronchospasm.  They are used as directed as a maintenance medication – but they won’t relieve a sudden asthma flare.

Slide 10

Leukotriene Modifiers

These block the action of leukotrienes that cause asthma symptoms. They reduce inflammation and tightening of the airways.  They do not relieve a sudden asthma flare. Side effects may include sleep problems or mood changes – talk with your doctor if these occur.

Slide 11

Biologics

These are a new class of severe asthma medications. They target specific cells and pathways to reduce allergic inflammation linked to asthma.  Biologics are typically given by injection or IV in a doctor’s office.  There are new medications all the time – ask your doctor about biologics.

Slide 12

When your doctor prescribes an asthma inhaler, ask for a demonstration on how to take it correctly.  Your doctor may suggest a spacer or valved holding chamber to help the medication get to the lungs – these are especially helpful for children.

Slide 13

You can clean your metered-dose inhaler once a week by removing the cap and canister from the mouthpiece and running warm water through the mouthpiece for 30 – 60 seconds.  Allow it to air dry.

Slide 14

Dry-powdered inhalers should not get wet, but can be cleaned with a dry, clean cloth.

Slide 15

Asthma medications can prevent and treat your symptoms and that helps you feel better.  Always ask for help if you don’t understand your asthma medication.

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Join us soon for another Patient Learning Pathways presentation. Allergy & Asthma Network is working every day to end the needless death and suffering due to asthma, allergies and related conditions through outreach, education, advocacy and research.

Asthma Resource List