Marissa is a 7 year old female coming to the clinic with increased wheezing, cou

Question

Marissa is a 7 year old female coming to the clinic with increased wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. She was diagnosed with asthma 2 years ago. She uses an albuterol inhaler to manage her symptoms and has been using it regularly 3 – 5 times a day for the past 3 months.

Medications include Albuterol HFA 2 puffs Q4H prn. Children’s multivitamin QD. Children’s chewable Vitamin C tablet QD Describe your differential diagnosis list and identify your most likely primary diagnosis. Thereafter describe your next steps diagnostically and in the way of medication changes in detail with inclusion of rationale and mechanism of action..

Explanation / Answer

Solution:

Steps diagnostically and in the way of medication changes in detail with inclusion of rationale and mechanism of action

Asthma medications are the foundation of good asthma control.

This handout has been prepared to help you understand and follow your or your child's asthma action plan. Learn all you can about your or your child’s asthma medications. Know what medications are included in the action plan, when these medications should be taken, their expected results and what to do when they fail.

Helpful facts and tips

Medication use guidelines

Types of asthma medications

Medications are used to treat, prevent and control asthma symptoms, to reduce the number and severity of asthma episodes and to improve airflow. There are two main types of asthma medications:

Anti-inflammatories

These are the most important medicines for most people with asthma. Anti-inflammatory medications reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. As a result, airways are less sensitive and less likely to react to triggers. These medications need to be taken daily and may need to be taken for several weeks before they will begin to control asthma. Anti-inflammatories lead to fewer asthma symptoms, better airflow, less-sensitive airways, less airway damage and fewer asthma episodes. If taken every day, they control or prevent asthma symptoms.

Bronchodilators

These medications relax the muscle bands that tighten around the airways. This action rapidly opens the airways, letting more air in and out of the lungs and improving breathing. Bronchodilators also help clear mucus from the lungs. As the airways open, the mucus moves more freely and can be coughed out more easily. In short-acting forms, bronchodilators relieve or stop asthma symptoms and are very helpful during an asthma episode. In long-acting forms, bronchodilators provide control of asthma symptoms and prevent asthma episodes.

All but the people with the mildest cases of asthma will need both types of medication. Listed below are asthma medications and their uses:

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