COURSE OVERVIEW:
Asthma is a very common, highly treatable lung condition. Millions of individuals worldwide, children and adults, carry a diagnosis of asthma. Asthma’s symptoms relate to breathing and to the respiratory system. Symptoms of asthma vary in frequency and in intensity and may include cough, wheeze, increased mucus production, uncomfortable breathing, and shortness of breath. Asthma severity not only varies from person to person, but can also fluctuate in a given person over time.
A major goal of asthma treatment is directed at symptom prevention as well as at symptom control. Some people with mild asthma experience infrequent symptoms. Others, whose asthma is more persistent, at the other end of the asthma severity spectrum, may require several daily lung medications taken regularly to control their disease, normalise their lung functioning, and attain a symptom-free state.
Physicians who specialise in asthma care firmly believe that even the most severely affected asthma sufferers can be treated successfully. Modern asthma management and contemporary therapies allow persons diagnosed with asthma to lead full, active lives. Successful asthma treatment requires an understanding of the disease in general as well as how it manifests itself in a particular person, combined with attentive medical care and the forging of a cooperative partnership between patient and physician.
This course explains the facts, theories, and controversies of asthma. In addition to the symptoms and diagnosis of asthma.
The first part discusses: what is asthma? why is asthma so common? how do human lungs work? what causes asthma? what is the relationship between allergy and asthma? what is the contemporary view of asthma and how does it differ from traditional views?
The second part discusses: the symptoms of asthma, the exacerbation of asthma, does wheezing mean that someone has asthma, the medical conditions that can mimic asthma or make it more severe, the diagnosis of asthma, the pulmonary function tests (PFTs), spirometry, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements?
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:
- What is asthma?
- The components of contemporary asthma treatment
- How many Australians have asthma?
- Is it true that asthma is on the upswing?
- The international patterns of asthma
- Why is asthma so common?
- Is asthma a disease of children?
- How do human lungs work?
- Do lungs continue to develop after birth?
- What causes asthma?
- The possible environmental factors in asthma development
- The relationship between allergy and asthma
- Is asthma preventable?
- What is the hygiene hypothesis?
- What is the contemporary view of asthma, and how does it differ from traditional views?
- The contemporary view of inflammation in asthma
- What are the symptoms of asthma?
- What is an exacerbation of asthma?
- The common symptoms of asthma exacerbations
- What is a wheeze?
- Will you know when someone wheeze?
- Does wheezing mean that they have asthma?
- Why do some people usually cough after jogging or running or after participating in sports?
- Could the lung symptoms be due to a condition other than asthma?
- The differential diagnosis of asthma in adults
- What is COPD?
- Is COPD related to asthma?
- What are the similarities and differences between asthma and COPD?
- Are there medical conditions that can mimic asthma or make it more severe?
- The control of factors affecting asthma severity
- What is vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) syndrome?
- What is GERD, and why does it affect some people’s asthma?
- How is the diagnosis of asthma established?
- The tools for diagnosing asthma
- What diagnostic testing is used to diagnose asthma?
- What are pulmonary function tests (PFTs), spirometry, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements?
- What is a methacholine challenge (bronchoprovocation) test?
- What is arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling?
- What is bronchoscopy?
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.