Introduction
There are a variety of risk factors that can affect flare ups in asthmatic patients. Smoking, specifically, is one of these factors that we can control. As a high risk factor for asthma, smoking aggravates the airways, ultimately leading to amplified breathing difficulties (Asthma Risk Factor, n.d.). The epithelial changes that occur in smokers versus nonsmokers is the leading cause of the flare ups. Because these characteristics are evident, smoking cessation is shown to reduce the occurrence of asthma flare ups (Broekema et al., 2009). Nurses play a significant role in educating patients in preventing triggers for asthma flare ups. Yet, little is known about the effect that smoking causes on these flare ups. Therefore, the purpose
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This article relates very well to clinical practice. The article provides evidence that patients who smoke have significant differences in terms of clinical and therapeutic effects compared to non-smokers. This is relevant because it is proving in the actual article that asthmatic patients who smoke have many more complications and a greater likelihood of asthma exacerbations. We would recommend the article in clinical practice because it has a specific purpose in dealing with exacerbations. Some limitations would include that this article did not have a very large sample size, so this can also be a future recommendation to improve it. A strength is that it was conducted in an actual Asthma Genome Research Center, carrying a greater prestige and validity. The research article by Kupczyk, et al., (2014) holds a level IV evidence, also known as a descriptive study. This study is relevant because it focuses on the smoking history of the participants. The clinical relativity is that health care providers can look at the history of the patients, and thus have a factual idea of the contributions to the frequent exacerbations. This study would be highly recommended to be used in clinical situations because a patient's history is a key indicator of their present status, therefore knowing their history of smoking may help with the treatment of exacerbations. Limitations of this study can include the small study size and …show more content…
The implementations urged in these three studies are very cost effective. In reality, these studies may even lower any expenses that are already in place. By narrowing the cause of asthma exacerbations, the health care provider can be more efficient in dealing with patients who have asthma. These recommendations should be integrated into clinical practice because these studies can help future clinical settings to be more efficient when dealing with asthma patients who smoke or have smoked, with little to no extra cost. Clinical settings will lose nothing by implementing the recommendations these studies suggest, but they will gain a greater insight into how to possibly prevent future episodes of
The three measurable outcome of asthma management includes improved quality of life, decreased use of resources, and increased patient and family satisfaction. Regardless of the practice settings case managers help to increase access to health care service, reduces health care cost, improved outcomes of the care delivered and over all improve the quality of care (Powell). The categories of outcome indicators are
According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (2013), smoking is harmful for almost each organ and causes many dis...
Basile, Maria. "Asthma." The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders. 2nd ed. 2005. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 9 Feb. 2011.
As modern medical research begins to discover the deep-rooted genetic and environmental origins of many chronic diseases and illnesses, researchers have began to realize the complexity of illnesses that plague mankind. One prevalent disease among humans is Asthma, a chronic lung disease that irritates and tightens the airways, resulting in reocurring periods of coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Asthma’s phenotypic range does not follow the relative simplicity of Mendelian genetics, but is rather rooted in multiple genes, such as Interleukin-13 (IL-13), and specific environmental exposures such as air pollution.
Understanding the pathogenesis of asthma is a solution to creating treatments that are more effective. “For more than two decades now, asthma has been recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease involving inflammation of both the central and peripheral airways” (Tulic 71). This chronic inflammation results in structural changes in the airways of the asthmatic patient, referred to as airway remodeling. Airway remodeling is the cause of the symptoms seen in asthmatics during an attack like severe dyspnea, wheezing or difficulty in expiration (Kumar and Robbins 492). There are five major aspects of the body affected by asthma, mostly due to chronic infl...
Asthma is chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by recurring episodes of wheeling and breathlessness. It often exists with allergies and can be worsened through exposure to allergens. In fact, asthma is complicated syndromes that have neither single definition nor complete explanation to the point. In light of its treatment, it is worthwhile to notice that asthma cannot be cured, instead can be only managed by avoiding exposure to allergens and/or by using medications regularly.
Asthma is a disease that affects the breathing passages of the lungs (bronchioles). People who have asthma always have difficulty breathing. In the United States alone, over twenty-five million Americans are diagnosed with asthma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), asthma is known to be the third most common disease as well as a leading cause to hospitalization in America. In 2008, one in two people were reported to have asthma attacks which is roughly about twelve million asthma attacks a year. In 2007, the United States spent more than fifty-six million dollars on medical costs, lost school and work days, and early deaths from asthma. Asthma is not visible to the human eye, so it is difficult in an emergency situation for the lay responder to tell whether the victim is having trouble breathing or having an asthma attack. Unlike people who are diabetic and have to wear medical ID bracelets, people with asthma are not required to wear them, but it should be recommended to help the lay responder, the doctors and the paramedics identify the situation they are dealing with at hand. For hours, days or even months a person may be normal but then an attack may suddenly happen out of nowhere.
Most of you may not think of asthma as a killer disease, yet more that 5,000 Americans die of asthma each year. According to the Mayo Clinic web page, asthma also accounts for more that 400,000 hospital discharges annually. As the number of people with asthma increases, the more likely you are to come in contact with a person who has the disease. As far as I can remember, I have had asthma my whole life. My mother and one of my sisters also have asthma, so I have a first hand experience with it. This morning, I will discuss some interesting facts about asthma, I will specifically focus on what it is, warning signs, symptoms, causes, and the treatments that are used.
Dr. Paul Blanc’s works focus almost exclusively on occupational and environmental exposures that impact the lungs. In his career, Dr. Paul Blanc focused much of his research on the impacts of Asthma, how the condition had become more widespread over the years and potential remedies in treating the condition. Within that same time, along with many others in academia, Dr. Paul Blanc was interested in the effects of cigarette smoke. However, Dr. Paul Blanc’s interest was not only focused on the health effects of cigarettes, but rather, how the known effects from cigarettes compounded other respiratory effects found in occupational settings. Dr. Paul Blanc
The first main point in the article discusses the health issues associated with smoking to non-smokers and smokers. According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), smoking causes cancer and heart disease, and other illnesses among smokers. Furthermore, a non-smoker is affected by smoking with the same conditions. Secondhand smoke enhances asthma, bronchitis, or allergic disorders among individuals.
Smoking is the leading cause of death in the world. An estimated 23% of males and 18% of females smoke cigarettes. Smoking has been linked to heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and increases risk for cancer of the bladder, throat, mouth, kidney, cervix, and pancreas. In addition to the effects on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, cigarette smoking can increase irritability, impatience, hostility, anxiety, depressed mood, and restlessness (American Heart Association, 2014). On average, those who smoke have a shorter
Lung cancer causes more deaths than the number of deaths from breast, colon, prostate and rectal cancer combined all together. Smokers who inhale more than two packs of cigarettes daily have a 25% increase risk of dying from lung cancer, and unfortunately, 50% die within a year (6). With very little treatments available to completely get rid of the cancer, lung cancer remains yet the hardest cancer to treat. The amount of lung cancer related deaths and the prevalence of lung cancer needs to change, more specifically needs to decrease. A possible solution that will certainly achieve this is to decrease the amount of individuals who smoke. Individuals who smoke pose a much greater harm on themselves and their conditions than individuals who do not smoke and are living with lung cancer. The ending of the habit of smoking approach deals with the impact of lung cancer incidences and also promotes the health and condition of lung cancer patients. Smoking cessation is a very important approach to decrease the state of the conditions since smoking does play a major factor in stimulating cancer cells and tumours. However, this approach is very difficult to accomplish for most individuals because of the nicotine addiction. To reduce this challenge for the individuals struggling to achieve it, they need to commit their selves and also use a combination of aids to help them.
Asthma is a disease that currently has no cure and can only be controlled and managed through different treatment methods. If asthma is treated well it can prevent the flare up of symptoms such as coughing, diminish the dependence on quick relief medication, and help to minimize asthma attacks. One of the key factors to successful treatment of asthma is the creation of an asthma action plan with the help of a doctor that outlines medications and other tasks to help control the patient’s asthma ("How Is Asthma Treated and Controlled?"). The amount of treatment changes based on the severity of the asthma when it is first diagnosed and may be the dosage may be increased or decreased depending on how under control the patient’s asthma is. One of the main ways that asthma can be controlled is by becoming aware of the things that trigger attacks. For instance staying away from allergens such as pollen, animal fur, and air pollution can help minimize and manage the symptoms associated with asthma. Also if it is not possible to avoid the allergens that cause a patient’s asthma to flare up, they may need to see an allergist. These health professionals can help diagnosis what may need to be done in other forms of treatment such as allergy shots that can help decrease the severity of the asthma ("How Is Asthma Treated and Controlled?").
“Dangers of Smoking Cigarettes for Smokers” healthliteracy.worlded.org. Copyright 1995 by Marjorie Jacobs revised 1997, n.d web 14 April 2011
Scientists and health officials have been arguing the detrimental effects smoking has on our health for many years. Smoking can lead to serious complications including asthma, pancreas, lung and stomach cancer due to the large number of carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals) and other various substances added to it. It is a health hazard for both smokers and non-smokers and it is especially harmful to unborn babies. Although smokers claim that it helps them to relax and release stress, the negative aspects of the habit take over the positive. As it has been stressed by the scientists and experts, there are some very severe reasons of smoking but its crucial consequences should also be taken into consideration.