Asthma Facts

What is Asthma

Asthma can be described as a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by variable and periodic tightness in the chest, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. It is one of the most prevalent chronic health diseases in most western countries and is the leading chronic illness of children. Although an exact cause of this ailment is unknown, asthma attacks are triggered or aggravated by many factors, including:

• allergic to dust mites - keep carpets vacuumed and surfaces dust free
• allergic reaction to mold - inspect dwellings for and treat any mold
• allergy to all kinds of pollen - either stay inside when pollen is at its worse or wear a mask when outside
• respiratory infections - avoid breathing in cold air. Cover mouth, nose and throat with a scarf when outside in cold weather.
• certain medicines, including aspirin
• emotional elements - although at one time this was considered a major factor in triggering asthma attacks, it no longer carries much significance for most people
• pet dander - take whatever steps deemed necessary or appropriate
• certain foods - keep a list of foods that seem to bring on asthma attacks.

More than 10 million Americans suffer from asthma. It is thought to be inherited, and is seen in children more than adults.  For the majority of children with asthma, attacks occur throughout childhood, but some children outgrow it by the time they reach adulthood.

Symptoms of an Asthma Attack

It is not difficult to recognize a person having an asthma attack, and in severe cases, it looks very frightening. There is coughing and difficulty in breathing which produces a wheezing sound as the air is forced through the narrowed bronchial tubes. The coughing sometimes produces mucous, which is very characteristic of the disease. Asthma attacks can occur immediately after exposure to the offending irritant, but it can also happen without an apparent trigger.

Asthma is diagnosed by the patient's history, physical symptoms coupled with chest x-rays and special pulmonary tests.

Asthma Treatment

Although at this time there is no known cure for asthma, with proper management and precautions, it can be controlled which would limit the frequency and severity of the asthma attacks, and allow the asthmatic patient to lead a near normal, active life. 

Most important, anyone having asthma should make every effort to know what triggers their attacks and avoid them.

Bronchodilators are used extensively to treat asthma. These are the medicines that afford immediate relief. They relieve and relax the airways, allowing the air to flow more freely and ease the breathing difficulties. People with asthma usually have this medicine within reach at all times so that they can take it at the first sign of an impending attack.

The other type of medicines prescribed for asthma falls in the category of  long term control medicines which are taken every day -- usually over long periods of time -- to control chronic symptoms and to prevent asthma attacks.  People with persistent asthma need these long-term control medicines.

Most asthmatics have to take both the quick relief and long term control medicines.

For more asthma information, see:

Asthma Exercise - Healthy Taking Certain Precautions
Asthma Information - Symptoms, Causes, Medications
Childhood Asthma - Controlling With Antioxidants
Chronic Asthma - Food Allergy Involvement
Natural Asthma Remedy -Simple Sugar Treatment
Asthma Facts - Common Disease in Western Hemisphere
Allergy Asthma - Tests and Treatment Relief
Asthma Facts and Treatment - Symptom Relief Through Foods
Asthma Treatments - Resource Information Site
Information About All Aspects of Asthma - Resource
Asthma Information and Supplies