Treatment Strategy: Severe Childhood Asthma
Posted by on July 3, 2009
National Asthma Education Program Report
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLB) and its National Asthma Education Program (NAEP) convened a panel of experts on the management of asthma who released a comprehensive report (”Guide-lines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma”) in 1991. The good resources include the proposed “traffic light system”, so that patients can easily remember how to manage their asthma. This green zone, yellow zone, red zone system has been adopted by many physicians and has been included in at least one peak flow meter design.
The Green Zone
NAEP, as defined in the Green Zone is the area of security experience asthma patient with little or no symptoms. Peak flow measurement is 80 to 100% of patients with normal or personal best forecast performance does not exceed the values of 20% swing. Medications are individualized for each patient, whether they are mild, moderate, or severe asthmatics.
The Yellow Zone
The yellow zone outlined by the NAEP signals “caution.” The patient has peak flows that are 50 to 80 percent of his or her predicted normal or personal best and/or asthma symptoms that may include nocturnal attacks, coughing, wheezing, decreased activity, and chest tightness. This “zone” indicates that medications should be adjusted according to the management plan suggested by the physician. Patients who make frequent visits to the fiction ebook yellow zone should have their maintenance medications reviewed and adjusted.
The Red Zone
The red zone signals a “medical alert.”Peak flow were lower than 50% of predicted value or personal best and asthma symptoms are frequent, including in the rest. The patient’s management plan shall be immediately put to place this level of attack, as previously outlined. Typically, this calls for immediate use of a B-agonist and introduction of oral corticosteroids. Who does not respond to patients in need of immediate medical treatment, often emergency room visit. Patients who fall into the red zone should certainly have their maintenance asthma program reviewed and adjusted.
