Asthma
Asthma is one of the most common medical conditions affecting millions of Americans across the country today. The condition affects the patient’s lungs and breathing patterns and can be fatal if not taken care of properly by the patient. Patients suffering from asthma should be examined every three to six months by their physician or allergist to make sure that their condition has not gotten any worse. There are plenty of treatments available for patients suffering from asthma including nebulizer treatments, allergy shots, allergy pills, inhalers, rescue inhalers and other treatments. The most popular of these treatments are inhalers because they are lightweight and easy to carry around.
Asthma attacks occur when there is chronic inflammation of the lungs, causing a reversible narrowing of the bronchi tubes. This medical condition affects 7 percent of the population and over 300 million people worldwide. When an asthma attack occurs, the smooth muscle cells in the bronchi constrict, causing the airways to become inflamed and swollen. Approximately 4,000 people die each year in the United States as a result of asthma attacks. Patients can die from this condition if they have an attack and do not have their inhaler with them. Doctors and other medical experts recommend that asthma sufferers carry their rescue inhalers with them at all times.
The symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, chest tightness or chest pain, trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath or coughing and wheezing, an audible whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling and bouts of coughing worsened by an infection. The signs and symptoms that your asthma is getting worse includes an increase in the severity and frequency of asthma attacks, a fall in peak flow rates, and an increased need to use your inhaler or nebulizer. These are medications that open up the airways by relaxing the surrounding muscles.
The triggers of asthma include one or more of the following:
- Airborne allergens, such as pollen, animal dander, mold, cockroaches and dust mites
- Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
- Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
- Cold air
- Air pollutants and irritants such as smoke
- Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Strong emotions and stress
- Sulfites, preservatives added to some perishable foods
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids back up into your throat
- Menstrual cycle in some women
- Allergic reactions to foods such as peanuts or shellfish
People who are more at risk for developing asthma include those with asthma in their family history, suffering from frequent respiratory infections as a young child, exposure to secondhand smoke at any age, living in an urban area with a lot of pollution, exposure to occupational triggers such as chemicals used in farming, low birth weight and being overweight. Some patients with asthma will experience a higher frequency of attacks when they are around things they are allergic to, including dogs, cats, dander, pollen and dust. Always consult a doctor when suffering an asthma attack.
News Insiders latest 5 Article by admin
News Insiders Related Articles
Health News