ASTHMA

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disease caused by the oversensitivity of the lungs and airways to certain triggers such as allergens (dust, pollen, animal dander, mold), cold air, exercise, certain perfumes or colognes, or emotional stress.

When an asthma “attack” occurs, triggers induce inflammation in the airways which causes the breathing passages to fill with mucus, swell, and narrow. This swelling reduces the diameter of the airways to the point where breathing is uncomfortable and difficult. The lack of open and clear airways causes coughing, wheezing (a high pitched noise when you breath), and distress.

Asthma affects 20 million people in the United States and 130 million people worldwide. Children age 10 and younger account for 50% of asthma cases. In most children, asthma develops before they are age 5, and in more than half asthma develops before they are age 3.

What are the different conditions of asthma?

Asthma has many forms. It ranges from a chronic cough that is seasonal to all year long, to severe episodes of shortness of breath with or without cough. There are many conditions and exposures which can worsen asthma. Asthma can start at any age but the two most common types are adolescent and adult onset.

Other indicators that can affect adult asthma include:

• Pregnancy - Uncontrolled asthma can harm the health of a mother and her baby.

• Work situations - Fumes, gases or dust that are inhaled at work can trigger asthma.

• Age - Older people with asthma face unique health challenges.

• Exercise - Some people may have asthma symptoms when they exercise.

• Medications - Medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, or beta-blockers (used to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, migraine headaches or glaucoma), may cause an asthma attack in some adults.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (commonly referred to as GERD) - Reflux commonly known as heartburn can worsen asthma. As tiny amounts of the acid contents from your stomach enter your lungs it can cause an increase in inflammation worsening your asthma.

• Viruses - If you have an upper respiratory tract infection (URI) this can worsen your asthma.

• Sinus Infections - Similar to a URI this condition can worsen asthma.

• Obesity - Increased weight gain can have adverse effects on your entire health including asthma.

• Smoke exposure - This can irritate your airway worsening asthma.

• Weather Changes - Abrupt changes can cause changes in your airway that affect asthma.

• Emotional changes - This can also affect your asthma.

What are they symptoms of asthma?

Signs that you might have asthma include:

• Coughing

• Wheezing

• Shortness of breath

• Chest tightness

Although the experience of an asthma “attack” differs among different patients, many asthma sufferers say that an asthma attack makes it painful and difficult to breathe. Others describe a feeling of suffocation. Most experience coughing and wheezing during an attack.

How can I find out if I have asthma?

To diagnose asthma, physicians use a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests such as spirometry (a method of measuring the air taken into and expelled from the lungs), peak flow monitoring (a method of measuring how much air a person can expel from his or her lungs), chest x-rays, and blood or allergy tests.

• It is recommended that you see an allergist in the following circumstances:

• If you suspect you may have asthma, or your asthma has recently gotten worse.

• If you have allergies that are making your asthma worse.

• If your asthma has been life-threatening, or required intubation (breathing machine).

• If your asthma making it difficult to exercise, sleep through the night, or causing you to miss work or school.

• If you have recently visited the ER or been hospitalized because of your asthma.

• If you are concerned about the side effects of your asthma medications.

• If you are using your quick-relief or rescue inhaler more than twice a week for asthma symptoms.

• If your asthma is not well controlled.

How can asthma be treated?

Although there is no direct cure for asthma, it can be easily maintained with the proper medical treatment, allergen reduction, and education. However, patients who do not control their asthma develop more severe symptoms over time.

Asthma can be a challenging chronic disease, but with the proper help can be well controlled. The most important part of managing asthma is for you to be very knowledgeable about how and when asthma causes problems, how some of the triggers can be avoided and how to use medications. The causes of asthma and best treatment for it may be quite different between individuals.

There are different types of treatments for asthma. Inhaled medications come as metered dose inhalers (sometimes called pumps), nebulizer solutions (delivered as a mist by a machine) and dry powder inhalers. It is important to learn how to use the type of medications prescribed, or they might not work well.

Asthma medications include inhaled rescue medications (quick relievers) to treat symptoms and long-term controller medicines (inhaled as well as oral) to control inflammation that commonly causes the asthma. If your asthma is more than a rare minor problem, a controller medication will probably be prescribed.

Our knowledge about asthma and its therapy is constantly changing. An ongoing relationship with your physician is key to determining what will work best for you, now and throughout life.

Can I exercise if I have asthma?

Yes, exercise is recommended to anyone who is physically able. Consulting your doctor is recommended before starting any exercise regime. It is recommended that patients with asthma take special precautions during cold weather or during allergy seasons, as these conditions could cause asthma-related symptoms. Exercise induced asthma symptoms may be able to be prevented by using an inhaled bronchodilator before exercise. Once ones asthma is controlled, (usually with the help of proper medications) exercise should become part of daily activities. People with asthma certainly can and do excel in athletics. Many Olympic athletes have asthma.

*Information according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

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