Programs
Programs | Asthma
Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease that causes the airways to tighten and narrow. An asthma attack occurs when the lungs are not getting enough air. During an asthma attack, the airways tighten, swell, or fill with mucus. Common symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Trouble breathing
- Chest tightness
- Chest pain
An asthma attack is often caused by triggers. Common asthma triggers include dust, mold, cockroach remains, pet dander, pollen, cold air, and food allergies.
Carolina Collaborative Community Care, Inc. (4C) care managers provide asthma education and support to patients through home visits and in-patient hospital visits. Additionally, they support medical providers by conducting home visits, environmental home assessments, and supplying asthma action plans to practices.
Did You Know?
Approximately 15 percent of the Medicaid population has an asthma diagnosis.
- Asthma is the primary and secondary reason for hospital stays and emergency room visits for patients under 21 years of age.
Asthma Disease Management for physicians and patients requires following these steps:
- Adopting the National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines in treating asthma.
- Using an Asthma Action Plan in Medical Records, at home and in school.
- Close monitoring of asthma severity and symptom control.
- Providers staging asthmatic patients (Mild Intermittent, Mild Persistent, Moderate Persistent, Severe Persistent).
- Ensuring patients use effective medicine inhalation techniques and are taking medicines regularly.
- Ensuring that asthmatic patients' home environments are free from asthma triggers as much as possible.
For more information about asthma, visit the websites below or call 4C!
- National Institute of Health
- Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics
- NoAttacks.com
- Smoke Free Homes Program
