Asthma - clinical fact sheet and MCQ
Overview
Asthma is a long-term, inflammatory condition of the airways, with episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. It results from airway hyperresponsiveness and persistent inflammation, triggered by allergens, environmental irritants, respiratory infections, and or physical exertion.
In Australia, asthma is common and affects about one in nine people. In 2021–22, there were over 56,000 emergency department visits and 25,500 hospital admissions for asthma. Older women, particularly those over 75 years, are at the highest risk of severe complications, including death.
The aims of asthma management are to achieve effective symptom control, minimise the likelihood of exacerbations, and prevent chronic complications.
Optimal asthma care involves pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies.
Diagnosis of asthma in adults
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Maecenas eu odio in nibh placerat tempor ac vel mauris. Nunc efficitur sapien at nisl semper dapibus. Nullam tempor eros sed dui aliquam lacinia. Nunc feugiat facilisis ex.
Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Maecenas mauris nibh, tempus sit amet erat vel, pellentesque maximus ipsum. Suspendisse dui nunc, porta ac ultricies id, sodales eu ante.
The Medcast medical education team is a group of highly experienced, practicing GPs, health professionals and medical writers.
Become a member and get unlimited access to 100s of hours of premium education.
Learn moreQuality Use of Medicines Alliance
Mental health conditions are a leading cause of disease burden for young Australians aged 16-24 years. This FastTrack explores the management of teens and young adults with anxiety or depression, with a focus on non-pharmacological strategies and when medicines may be appropriate. 30min each of RP and EA available.
Dr Nazha Nazeem
Effective health care for veterans requires a specific approach that considers service history, past trauma, and an understanding of the challenges of the service-to-civilian transition. Discover how to apply these factors to lifestyle prescribing in the veteran population in this FastTrack. 30mins each of RP and EA CPD available.
Dr Nazha Nazeem
Lifestyle medicine prescribing requires a specific approach for veteran patients that incorporates service-informed prescribing principles. This blog discusses the importance of lifestyle prescribing in veteran care while providing practical tips for GPs when formulating an effective management strategy for those who have served.