Asthma education: creating a partnership.

This article advances the theory that the key to creating an effective partnership is teaching asthma patients what to self-treat, how to self-treat, and when to consult a clinician. The five comanaging rules that the health educator is encouraged to emphasize with the adult asthma patient are: know your own unique asthma symptoms and triggers; keep written records; see appropriate specialists; know your medicines and follow your action plan; and accept no treatment you do not understand. Current research shows asthma to be a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. In susceptible individuals, this inflammation causes recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and cough, particularly at night and in the early morning. The stepwise approach to asthma therapy divides asthma into several levels of severity. However, patients at any level of severity can have mild, moderate, or severe exacerbations. Asthma triggers; how to use a metered dose inhaler (MDI), a dry powder inhaler (DPI), and a peak flow meter; and how to follow an asthma action plan are thoroughly covered. The last section of the article deals at length with the indications for and actions of long-term-control medications, used to achieve and maintain control of persistent asthma, and quick-relief medications, used to treat symptoms and exacerbations.