What Is Asthma

What is asthma? Do you know? We only know the halves and so much of the myths! Today my comrades we will learn the truths and displace the myths so you and I can P.I.N., Pass Information Now and Blow the Whistle on Asthma!

Asthma is a disease of the airways of the lungs. It is the most common respiratory disease characterized by episodes or attacks of inflammation, swelling, or narrowing of the small airways.

To diagnose asthma, a doctor will review the patient medical history, family history, looking for breathing problems, asthma in other family members, allergies, eczema, other lung conditions and symptoms. It is important that a person describe symptoms such as wheezing which is the result of narrowed or swollen airways. Coughing especially at night is the result of narrowed airways filled with mucous. Another symptom is chest tightness pain or pressure. Asthma can be an obstructive disease the asthmatic may inhale air and not have the ability to push the air out because of narrowed airways filled with mucous. The narrowed airways filled with mucous causes tightness, pain or pressure of the chest. Asthma can be a restrictive disease because the airways are so swollen or inflamed air cannot be inhaled into the airways causing shortness of breath. Symptoms vary from person to person and episode to episode.

A trigger is the body viewing of factors in the environment as harmful causing an increased sensitivity or inflammatory reaction of the airways. There are many triggers and reactions to them range. Asthmatics AÐŽ¦s reaction to the same trigger may vary from one exposure to the next. A trigger that can be harmless to asthmatic A may provoke an inflammatory reaction in B asthmatic.

Allergic or extrinsic asthma is just as the name implies an allergic reaction. This response is airway obstruction and inflammation. This is partially reversible with medication. Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma. 50% of the 20 million asthma sufferers are in this category. Allergic asthma is triggered by inhaled allergens.

Now letÐŽ¦s you and I take a look at some common everyday triggers. A viral, cold, or sinus infection all can irritate the airways and passages triggering an episode. Taking medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen can trigger an asthmatic episode also exacerbating the infection. So seek the advice of a physician before taking over the counter medications.

Some outdoor triggers include mold spores [from trees, ragweed, pollen,] and sudden change in temperatures. We all have daily activities that require us to leave the safety of our abode. A helpful tip I have learned is to monitor the 24 -hour weather channel before planning activities. These weather channels report pollen counts, allergy advisories, also, severe weather changes. Another tip is to plan activities around the weather-pollen or allergy advisory, not the day or season. Also, with children provide indoor activities including the entire family such as board games, indoor treasure hunt, video games, or home movies. Lastly, perform outdoor activities in the early morning hours or the dusk of evening.

We all view the home as our sanctuary but items inside the home can be triggers too. Dust is a common trigger. Several tips are; clean and dust weekly, Use a HEPA filter and or micro filtration bags, Wash bedding weekly in hot water over 130 degrees F, Clean with anti mold cleaners, Always dust with a damp cloth or mop.

Fluffy or feathered pets are another in home trigger. A few tips are; try to reduce pet dander by keeping pets off furniture, out of the vehicle(s), out of families sleeping areas, wash pets several or more times a week.

Household central air and heating units can harbor allergens. Some tips are have duct unit cleaned several times a year by professional services; replace heating and air filters monthly, use central air conditioning in the summer and the exhaust fan when cooking.

Cockroach allergen is a major allergen among asthmatics. Cockroach allergen comes from sensitivity to feces, bodies and saliva of these insects. A person that keeps a chronic stuffy nose, skin rash, constant sinus infection, repeat ear infection, and triggered asthmatic episodes should suspect cockroach allergen. First step is to avoid roaches and their droppings. Second rid your home of the roaches. One may use poison baits, boric acid and traps or call a trained professional. Asthmatics should never use chemicals as they can irritate allergies and asthma.

Other triggers include: exercise like running; try walking leisurely or briskly, cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, perfumes, cleaning products, foods such as nuts, shrimp, and those containing sulfites.

An estimated 30.8 millions Americans have asthma. 14.7 missed days from school due to asthma.11.8 million days of work missed due to asthma. Although there is no cure if an asthmatic follows the asthma action plan asthma is very manageable. This includes a diary, exercise, peak flow monitoring, working with the school or job and signals (warning symptoms).

Everyone has a built in early warning system that signals symptoms are on the way. Some signals are as follows: someone may have a scared or anxious look, cough, coughing when no cold, clearing the throat a lot, unusual paleness/sweating, flared nostrils when trying to get some air, noisy difficult breathing, pursed lip breathing, fast breathing, labored breathing, squeaking or unusual noises. The difference between severe or mild asthma is learning to manage asthma by recognizing early warning symptoms and taking medications within first minutes of onset of attack.

Practice prevention is another way of managing asthma. Asthmatics should avoid cigarette smoke, join a parents support group, enroll the child in a kids asthma group, use dust mite covers on child mattress and pillows, keep potted plants out of bedroom, avoid stuffed animals in bedroom.

Asthmas hits all areas of the United States, but some cities and states have made the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America list of 100 metropolitan areas they term ÐŽ§asthma capitalsЎЁ.

►. 1) Knoxville, Tennessee

►. 2) Little Rock, Arkansas

►. 6) Memphis, Tennessee

►. 9) Nashville, Tennessee

Medications used to control asthma fall into one of several groups:

Inhaled bronchodilator medications are highly effective in opening airways narrowed by asthma. They are the most effective. They have few severe side effects when used in the recommended dose and frequency. They are available by both metered dose inhaler and nebulizer.

Anti-Inflammatory medications