Asthma is a disease of the lungs. If you have ever wondered what it is like to have an asthma attack, try breathing only through a straw in you mouth whilst jogging up and down on the spot. You will soon be aware that your body will be craving oxygen due to the exertion. This exercise simulates the narrowing of airways experienced by an asthma sufferer. The following article discusses how asthma is diagnosed, the signs and symptoms of this disease and current treatments available.
It is estimated that twenty million Americans suffer from asthma, that equates to one in fifteen Americans have this disease. It is slowly becoming more frequently diagnosed since the 1980s. It is not gender specific, age related or predominantly apparent in one racial group. It is the most commonly diagnosed chronic condition among children. Due to its prevalence across the United States, it costs Americans billions of dollars each year in treatment.
Physiology
The physiological characteristic of asthma is inflammation of the air passages that carry oxygen to the lungs. This inflammation causes the air passages to narrow and clog with mucus. People with sensitive air passages are prone to this narrowing process due to irritants and allergens in the air. Pollen, tobacco smoke, dust, dust mites, pets, mold and pollution can trigger an asthma inflammatory response.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of an asthma attack can include wheezing, coughing, especially in the early morning and at night, difficulty breathing, breathlessness, chest tightness and in some cases can be fatal. Risk factors for developing the disease are usually related to genetic predisposition. If one or both parents have asthma, risk factors are higher in their children. There is no cure for asthma currently; treatment involves prevention plans and medication.
Prevention
Prevention plans are individually tailored to each sufferer. Learning to recognize triggers to having an asthma attack is an important key to avoidance. Asthma suffers should avoid second hand smoke from smokers by avoiding being in confined spaces where people are smoking. Dust mites are present in all homes. Ensuring that you have a mattress protector on your bed and pillows can help. Do not use down filled quilts and pillows as they harbor large amounts of dust mites. Try to provide yourself with a clean living environment free from clutter and accumulation of dust.
Pollutants from cars and industry can trigger an asthma attack in some suffers. Pay attention to air quality reports on radio and television daily. Plan your day’s activities from being aware of these reports. If your asthma is triggered by pets and or animals in general, avoid contact. If mold is a trigger, have all mold removed from the home including any mold beneath floors and from leaking taps. Humidity in the home can increase mold spores, so ensure your humidity levels in the home are no higher than fifty percent.
Learning what can trigger your asthma attack is part of the treatment plan. Other triggers that need to be considered also are wood smoke, weather, physical exertion, infections, allergies, chemicals, some medicines, food additives and cold and dry air.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of asthma is difficult in very young children. Doctors generally assess your signs and symptoms. Ask about family history of asthma or other respiratory disorders. Try to identify any triggers and allergies you may have. Discuss your home environment and often perform a lung function test. The lung function test is called spirometry and is a tool used to diagnose asthma. It measures how much air you can breathe out of your lungs after taking a deep breath. Asthma sufferers have difficulty expelling carbon dioxide from the lungs after breathing in air.
Medication
Medications are relievers, preventers or symptom controllers.
- Relievers are fast acting and as the name suggests, alleviates symptoms. It relaxes the muscles around the airways allowing the sufferer to breathe easily. They are used in the event of the onset of an asthma attack. If you find yourself having to use relievers more than three times a week, it is a sign that your asthma is not under control and you should see your doctor.
- Preventers desensitize the airway to triggers and hence reduce the amount of inflammation in the airways. This medication is taken daily and should never be stopped, even if you are feeling well.
- Symptom controllers alleviate symptoms for up to 12 hours and are often taken daily with a preventer. Symptom controllers are not to be used as medication for the onset of an asthma attack.
All three of these medications can be used singularly or in combination dependent on the individual’s requirements.
Millions of people around the world live with asthma everyday. Research is slowly improving toward making life easier for suffers. Seeking medical intervention is an important key to saving lives. If you, a family member or a friend experience any of the signs and symptoms discussed above at any stage in your life, see a doctor. Asthma symptoms can be prevented and alleviated but sadly, no cure as yet.
Sources
National Asthma Council Australia
Sandra Markcrow - I'm a health care professional. Am interested in the latest research available on all aspects of health care.
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