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Asthma - Management
What follow up is recommended after an exacerbation of asthma?
- One week after an asthma exacerbation in all people:
- Assess the exacerbation:
- Ask about the duration and severity of the exacerbation compared with any previous episodes. Record the number of exacerbations and hospital admissions.
- Identify possible trigger factors, such as exercise, work, or allergens.
- Optimize treatment:
- Ask about compliance with treatment before the exacerbation and review the person's inhaler technique (correcting problems).
- Provide advice on lifestyle, vaccinations, diet, exercise, and smoking. If the individual or parent of the child smokes, advise them to stop.
- Consider stepping-up treatment by increasing inhaled corticosteroids or adding in new preventive therapy.
- Review self-management education and written action plan:
- Review the person's understanding of how to recognize an exacerbation and what to do at the early signs of an exacerbation (increase beta2-agonist and start oral corticosteroids).
- Reinforce understanding by updating the written action plan.
In depth
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