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ASTHMA
Asthma
has been a problem for generations although modern
medicine has certainly improved things over the last few
decades as the drugs that are available via your
Doctors.
Before
we get into traditional Asthma viewpoints I would like
to tell you about a website I found which for Asthmatics
is certainly well worth looking at.
This
website looks at natural cures for asthma and you will
also find a huge amount of information as well.
TO VIEW THIS ALTERNATIVE ASTHMA WEBSITE PLEASE CLICK
HERE
ALL ABOUT ASTHMA
Reviewer Info: Frederic F.
Little, M.D., Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care
Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. ; ADAM
Health Illustrated Encyclopaedia, 10/27/2004
Definition
Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, characterized by
periodic attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness,
and coughing.
Alternative
Names
Bronchial asthma; Exercise induced asthma - bronchial
Causes,
incidence, and risk factors
Asthma is a disease in which inflammation of the airways causes
airflow into and out of the lungs to be restricted. When an asthma
attack occurs, the muscles of the bronchial tree become tight and
the lining of the air passages swells, reducing airflow and
producing the characteristic wheezing sound. Mucus production is
increased.
Most people with asthma have periodic wheezing attacks separated by
symptom-free periods. Some asthmatics have chronic shortness of
breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Other
asthmatics may have cough as their predominant symptom. Asthma
attacks can last minutes to days, and can become dangerous if the
airflow becomes severely restricted.
In sensitive individuals, asthma symptoms can be triggered by
inhaled allergens (allergy triggers), such as pet dander, dust
mites, cockroach allergens, molds, or pollens. Asthma symptoms can
also be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air,
tobacco smoke and other pollutants, stress, food, or drug allergies.
Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
(NSAIDS) provoke asthma in some patients.
Asthma is found in 3-5% of adults and 7-10% of children.
Half of the people with asthma
develop it before age 10, and most develop it before age 30. Asthma
symptoms can decrease over time, especially in children.
Many people with asthma have an individual and/or family history of
allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema. Others
have no history of allergies or evidence of allergic problems.
Symptoms
wheezing
usually begins suddenly
is episodic
may be worse at night or in early morning
aggravated by exposure to cold air
aggravated by exercise
aggravated by heartburn (reflux)
resolves spontaneously
relieved by bronchodilators (drugs that open the airways)
cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production
shortness of breath that is aggravated by exercise
breathing that requires increased work
intercostal retractions (pulling of the skin between the ribs when
breathing)
Emergency symptoms:
extreme difficulty breathing
bluish colour to the lips and face
severe anxiety due to shortness of breath
rapid pulse
sweating
decreased level of consciousness (severe drowsiness or confusion)
during an asthma attack
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
nasal flaring
chest pain
tightness in the chest
abnormal breathing pattern, in which exhalation (breathing out)
takes more than twice as long as inspiration (breathing in)
breathing which temporarily stops
Signs and tests
Your doctor will listen to the chest during an episode, to listen
for wheezing sounds. However, lung sounds are usually normal between
asthma episodes.
Tests may include:
Lung function tests
Peak flow measurements
Chest x-ray
Allergy skin or blood tests
Arterial blood gas
Eosinophil count (a type of white blood cell)
Treatment
Treatment is aimed at avoiding known allergens and respiratory
irritants and controlling symptoms and airway inflammation through
medication. Allergens can sometimes be identified by noting which
substances cause an allergic reaction.
Allergy testing may also be helpful in identifying allergens in
patients with persistent asthma. Common allergens include: pet
dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, and pollens. Common
respiratory irritants include: tobacco smoke, pollution, and fumes
from burning wood or gas.
There are two basic kinds of medication for the treatment of asthma:
Long-term control medications -- used on a regular basis to prevent
attacks, not for treatment during an attack.
inhaled steroids (Azmacort, Vanceril, AeroBid, Flovent) prevent
inflammation
leukotriene inhibitors (Singulair, Accolate)
long-acting bronchodilators (Foradil, Serevent) help open airways
cromolyn sodium (Intal) or nedocromil sodium
aminophylline or theophylline (not used as frequently as in the
past)
combination of anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator, using either
separate inhalers or a single inhaler (Advair Diskus)
anti-IgE therapy (Xolair), a new injection treatment used in
patients with more severe asthma
Quick relief (rescue) medications -- used to relieve symptoms during
an attack.
short-acting bronchodilators (Proventil, Ventolin, Xopenex, and
others)
oral or intravenous corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone)
stabilize severe episodes
People with mild asthma (infrequent attacks) may use relief
medication as needed. Those with persistent asthma should take
control medications on a regular basis to prevent symptoms from
occurring. A severe asthma attack requires a medical evaluation and
may require hospitalisation, oxygen, and intravenous medications.
A peak flow meter, a simple device to measure lung volume, can be
used at home to help you "see an attack coming" and take the
appropriate action, sometimes even before any symptoms appear. If
you are not monitoring asthma on a regular basis, an attack can take
you by surprise.
Peak flow measurements can help show when medication is needed, or
other action needs to be taken. Peak flow values of 50-80% of an
individual’s personal best indicate a moderate asthma attack, while
values below 50% indicate a severe attack.
Support Groups
The stress caused by illness can often be helped by joining a
support group, where members share common experiences and problems.
See asthma and allergy - support group.
Expectations (prognosis)
There is no cure for asthma, though symptoms sometimes decrease over
time. With proper self management and medical treatment, most people
with asthma can lead normal lives.
Complications
respiratory fatigue
pneumothorax
death
side effects of the medication used
Calling your health care provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you or
your child experience mild asthma symptoms (to discuss treatment
options).
Call your health care provider (or go to the emergency room) for
moderate shortness of breath (shortness of breath with talking, peak
flow 50-80% of personal best), if symptoms worsen or do not improve
with treatment, or an attack requires more medication than
recommended in the prescription.
Go to the emergency room for severe shortness of breath (shortness
of breath at rest, peak flow less than 50% of personal best), if
drowsiness or confusion develops, or for severe chest pain.
Prevention
Asthma symptoms can be substantially reduced by avoiding known
allergens and respiratory irritants. If someone with asthma is
sensitive to dust mites, exposure can be reduced by encasing
mattresses and pillows in allergen-impermeable covers, removing
carpets from bedrooms, and by vacuuming regularly. Exposure to dust
mites and mold can be reduced by lowering indoor humidity.
If a person is allergic to an animal that cannot be removed from the
home, the animal should be kept out of the patient's bedroom.
Filtering material can be placed over the heating outlets to trap
animal dander. Exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollution,
industrial dusts, and irritating fumes should also be avoided.
Allergy desensitization may be helpful in reducing asthma symptoms
and medication use, but the size of the benefit compared with other
treatments is not known.
http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/asthma
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