Clearing the Air Indoor Air Exposures Asthma EXacerbation Biological Agents Chemical Agents Sufficient evidence of causal Sufficient evidence of causal relationship relationship Environmental tobacco smoke Cat (among pre-school aged children) Cockroach Sufficient evidence of association House dust mite NO2, NOx(high levels Sufficient evidence of an association Limited or suggestive evidence of association Dog Environmental Tobacco smoke Fungus/Molds among school-aged older children, and adults) · Rhinovirus Formaldehyde Limited or suggestive evidence of Fragrances association Domestic birds Chlamydia and Mycoplasma pneumonia RSV
Clearing the Air: Indoor Air Exposures & Asthma Exacerbation Biological Agents – Sufficient evidence of causal relationship • Cat • Cockroach • House dust mite – Sufficient evidence of an association • Dog • Fungus/Molds • Rhinovirus – Limited or suggestive evidence of association • Domestic birds • Chlamydia and Mycoplasma pneumonia • RSV Chemical Agents • Sufficient evidence of causal relationship – Environmental tobacco smoke (among pre-school aged children) • Sufficient evidence of association – NO2 , NOX (high levels) • Limited or suggestive evidence of association – Environmental Tobacco Smoke (among school-aged, older children, and adults) – Formaldehyde – Fragrances
Pathology of Asthma Asthma involves inflammation of the airways Normal Asthma Asthma Normal Airway Airway in Person with Asthma Tight Muscles Source: What You and Your Family Can Do About Asthma"by the Global Initiative For Asthma Created and funded by NIH/NHLBl, 1995
Pathology of Asthma Source: “What You and Your Family Can Do About Asthma” by the Global Initiative For Asthma Created and funded by NIH/NHLBI, 1995 Normal Asthma Asthma involves inflammation of the airways
Diagnosing Asthma Medical History Symptoms Coughing Wheezing Shortness of breath Chest tightness Symptom Patterns Severity Family history of allergic diseases
Diagnosing Asthma: Medical History • Symptoms – Coughing – Wheezing – Shortness of breath – Chest tightness • Symptom Patterns • Severity • Family History of allergic diseases
Diagnosing Asthma Troublesome cough, particularly at night Awaken by coughing Coughing or wheezing after physical activit Breathing problems during particular seasons Coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness after allergen exposure Colds that last more than 10 days Relief when medication is used
Diagnosing Asthma • Troublesome cough, particularly at night • Awaken by coughing • Coughing or wheezing after physical activity • Breathing problems during particular seasons • Coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness after allergen exposure • Colds that last more than 10 days • Relief when medication is used
Diagnosing Asthma Wheezing sounds during normal breathing Hyperexpansion of the thorax Accessory muscles using and paradoxical pulse in severe aucte episode Increased nasal secretions or nasal polyps Atopic dermatitis, eczema, or other allergic skin conditions
Diagnosing Asthma • Wheezing sounds during normal breathing • Hyperexpansion of the thorax • Accessory muscles using and paradoxical pulse in severe aucte episode • Increased nasal secretions or nasal polyps • Atopic dermatitis, eczema, or other allergic skin conditions