1. Asthma : The breathing
disorder
© 2012 Right Doctor

2. Do you have difficulty breathing?
 Episodic (spontaneous attacks)
shortness of breath, especially in the
night and early morning that gets
worse with exercise or activity
 Wheezing (continuous whistling sound during breathing)
 Cough - may be productive with thick, sticky sputum
 Rapid pulse
 Bluish color of the lips and face, if you have prolonged episodes of
respiratory distress
You may be suffering from asthma, please read further to know more…
© 2012 Right Doctor

3. What is Asthma?
Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways that carry air into and out of
your lungs
Inflammation narrows the airway causing less air to flow into the lungs
© 2012 Right Doctor

4. Some causes & triggers of Asthma
In sensitive people, asthma symptoms can be triggered by breathing in
allergy-causing substances
© 2012 Right Doctor

5. Diagnosis for Asthma
In most patients asthma can be relieved in short time. However many
patients need help frequently
• Blood tests
• Chest x-ray, Lung-function tests
• Allergy testing may be helpful to
identify allergens in people with
persistent asthma
Patient undergoing lung-function test
With proper self management and medical treatment, most
people with asthma can lead normal lives.
© 2012 Right Doctor

6. Treatment for Asthma
• The goals of treatment are to control / widen the narrowed airways,
to reduce their internal swelling with the help of drugs
• Stay away from substances that trigger symptoms
Continued…
© 2012 Right Doctor

7. Treatment for Asthma
• Drugs can help prevent symptoms in people with moderate to severe
asthma
• Quick-relief (rescue) drugs, mostly in form of inhalers work fast to
control asthma symptoms and should be at hand all the time
Inhaler
© 2012 Right Doctor

8. Who can treat asthma and where can this be treated ?
Any physician , in particular chest physicians should be consulted.
Most often the patients can be treated at home. Those with prolonged
Most often the patients can be treated at home. Those with prolonged
episodes may need to be hospitalized.
episodes may need to be hospitalized.
Disclaimer : The intent of the information provided by Right Doctor is
to increase public awareness and should not be treated as a medical
advice. A physician should be consulted for a proper medical guidance.
© 2012 Right Doctor