Learn and Teach About Asthma: The Basics
Mass General Brigham Asthma Center
Lectures:
Lecture 1: Understanding What Asthma Is … and Is Not 
In this introductory lecture we discuss asthma as a disease of the bronchial tubes, intermittent in its manifestations but chronic in the underlying “twitchiness” of the airways to certain stimuli (“triggers”). We explore some of the biology of asthma, enabling understanding of new medications that target specific parts of the biologic process. How to assess asthma severity and asthma control is addressed. We briefly touch upon the types of medications used to treat asthma, and conclude with mention of some common diseases that have symptoms similar to asthma, but are not asthma.
Lecture 2: Helping Patients Get the Most from Asthma Medications and Devices
Taking medications by inhalation can be difficult and incorrect use of inhalers is common among our patients. In this lecture we review – with demonstrations — the proper use of different types of inhalers (metered-dose inhalers, dry-powder inhalers, and the soft-mist inhaler) so that you can teach patients/caregivers how to use them correctly. We also address how to tell how many doses are left in an inhaler and what its expiration date is. In addition, the proper use of spacers, nebulizers, and peak flow meters is demonstrated.
Lecture 3: Asthma Attacks and the “Asthma Action Plan”
Flare-ups of asthma, with worsening narrowing of the bronchial tubes causing difficulty breathing, are common and potentially dangerous. In this lecture we describe a characteristic severe asthma attack and how it might be treated in an emergency medical setting. However, our focus is on helping patients prevent attacks of their asthma from becoming severe, by recognizing symptoms of an attack and by initiating steps to prevent it from getting worse. An “asthma action plan” specifies steps that a patient/caregiver can take when experiencing a mild-to-moderate or severe asthma attack, and when to get help. You can help patients obtain, understand, and implement an “asthma action plan.”
Lecture 4: Managing Allergies in Asthma
Although not all people with asthma have allergies, many do, including most children with asthma. In this lecture we review briefly the biologic reactions that constitute allergy, identify the common inhaled allergens that can trigger asthma, and explore how allergic sensitivities in asthma are diagnosed: by history, skin tests, and blood tests. We focus on methods that can be used to help patients reduce their exposure to allergens to which they are sensitive, particularly in the home environment. The value of a home visit to assess environmental exposures to allergens and irritants is highlighted. Finally, we examine the benefits and risks of allergen immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) for the treatment of allergic asthma.
Lecture 5: Asthma Scenarios
This lecture is meant as a review to highlight important points made in the previous lectures. It takes the form of 10 brief clinical vignettes, each followed by a question and multiple-choice answers. You will be given a chance to choose the best answer, followed by discussion of all of the answers and highlighting of the correct answer. It is an opportunity to solidify your learning from the previous lectures
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