Asthma, being a long-term medical condition triggered by various factors, has several approaches to treatment. Practitioners distinguish three major asthma action plans: green zone, yellow zone, and red zone (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). In a green zone, a person with diagnosed asthma has no coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or other manifestations of asthma attacks. However, in order to limit susceptibility to the triggers, the patient is advised to take long-term asthma medications on a daily basis. These medications include inhaled corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate, budesonide, beclomethasone, and fluticasone furoate (Amin et al., 2020). Once the patient feels a sudden deterioration of their condition, feeling coughing attacks and shortness of breath, the action plan moves to the yellow zone. In this zone, apart from the aforementioned long-term medications, individuals are prescribed quick-relief medications and oral corticosteroids if necessary. Quick-relief medications for asthma include short-acting β agonists and bronchodilators (Farag et al., 2018). These medications are supposed to act promptly so that patients can return to their daily lives.
However, if quick-relief medications do not alleviate the attack, severe symptoms emergency is detected, and the patient might require a clinical emergency. After spending more than 24 hours in the yellow zone without any improvements, the patient is advised to take quick-relief medication and oral steroids and contact the practitioner immediately after (CDC, 2022). Apart from the calculated asthma action plan, the treatment plan should also include education on avoiding potential triggers, antiallergen treatment, and attack prevention guidelines.
Considering the fact that every chronic disease management requires daily intake of medication, compliance with guidelines and adherence to the treatment becomes of utmost importance for the patient. According to George and Bender (2019), the two most efficient strategies for improving therapy adherence are shared decision-making and technology-based interventions. The former implies close collaboration between the physician and the patient in order to choose an optimal medication and inhaler. The latter, on the other hand, promotes self-adherence through technology-based interventions such as reminders, educational resources, and feedback on the patient’s well-being (George & Bender, 2019). Hence, compliance improvement in asthma patients is crucial for the treatment plan’s efficacy.
For the therapy to yield beneficial results, patients and families are encouraged to refer to various specialists. Thus, with the help of one’s physician, patients can receive referrals to asthma specialists or support communities that help with disease acceptance and management. For example, if patients have problems with tobacco addiction, weight gain, or severe allergies, they can ask their physicians to refer them to support groups and allergy advisors to minimize the issue’s impact on one’s health (National Health Service, 2019). Moreover, if asthma exacerbation is detected, it is of paramount importance to address specialized asthma care apart from the physician’s management.
Living with asthma can be extremely challenging for the individual, as patients need to come to terms with their chronic condition and the need for a significant lifestyle change. Thus, in order to minimize the stressful implications for the patients, it is necessary to find a support group to address one’s feelings and anxiety. A solid support system for asthma patients includes family, friends, practitioners, and other patients who understand exactly what a person is feeling. For example, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA, n.d.) presents a map of local asthma support groups where they can find counselors, physicians, and other patients to help them adhere to a new lifestyle. Indeed, early support interventions play a critical role in the overall treatment plan because it outlines the right mindset.
References
Amin, S., Soliman, M., McIvor, A., Cave, A., & Cabrera, C. (2020). Understanding patient perspectives on medication adherence in asthma: A targeted review of qualitative studies.Patient Preference and Adherence, 14, 541. Web.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (n.d.). Find a local support group. Web.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Asthma action plans. Web.
Farag, H., Abd El-Wahab, E. W., El-Nimr, N. A., & Saad El-Din, H. A. (2018). Asthma action plan for proactive bronchial asthma self-management in adults: A randomized controlled trial.International Health, 10(6), 502-516. Web.
George, M., & Bender, B. (2019). New insights to improve treatment adherence in asthma and COPD.Patient Preference and Adherence, 13, 1325-1334. Web.
National Health Service. (2019). Other NHS referrals for asthma. Web.