ARTICLES
Asthma is a chronic breathing problem
affecting approximately 5 million children in the US. For
the parent of an asthmatic child, an attack can be terrifying,
especially the first time it happens. Any attack, or flare
up as it is known, should be taken very seriously as severe
asthma can kill.
Asthma is an allergic disease that affects the bronchi
or air passages. Asthma is a disease that affects your
lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness,
chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing.
Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding
the triggers that can cause an attack. Asthma and eosinophilic
bronchitis can be treated with inhaled corticosteroids,
which combat inflammation in the airways to reduce asthma
symptoms. Asthma is one of the leading causes of children
missing school. Approximately 14 million adults and 6 million
children in the U.S. have asthma. In fact, asthma is the
most common chronic illness of childhood and a common reason
for missed school days. Asthma is more common in boys than
in girls. But after puberty asthma is more common in females.
Sometimes certain triggers can bring on symptoms. It's
sensible to try to avoid these triggers as much as possible,
as they will make your asthma worse. During an asthma attack,
muscles around the airways tighten up, making the airways
narrower so less air flows through. Inflammation increases,
and the airways become more swollen and even narrower.
Asthma is a problem where the bronchioles (air passages)
become oversensitive to environmental triggers leading
to inflammation and narrowing of the airways within the
lungs along with excess mucus production leading to severe
breathing difficulties. The number of asthma cases within
the population seems to increase every year, perhaps largely
due to increased pollution within our environment.
Despite the fact that asthma is the most prevalent of
chronic respiratory disorders in children and adults around
the world, there is still no cure for this disease. There
is, however, an increasing number of asthma medications
and options for those that have the condition. Asthma may
be more problematic in some individuals than others, so
not all people with asthma will have to use all the various
treatments.
Asthma is such a common condition that I think most of
know someone or know of someone who suffers from this awful
condition. I remember one lad back from my high school
days that used to have asthma attacks during physical education.
I often used to wonder why they had him exercise if it
was only going to make him suffer. I’ve since found
out that contrary to popular belief, a careful exercise
plan is actually recognized as a beneficial part of any
asthma treatment plan. Let me explain.
Asthma is a common disease that is clinically characterized
by various levels of chest tightness, cough, wheezing and
breathlessness. Pathologically it is characterized by lymphocyctic
and eosinophilic infiltration of the bronchial tree with
associated airway narrowing. It is nothing but an inappropriate
response of a previously sensitized airway to an allergen.
The management of asthma depends on the severity of the
condition as well as nature and frequency of attacks. Both
pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are
required in asthma control. Treatment should be started
on a step higher than clinical indications and should be
reduced once it is under control. Follow-up treatment is
very important to determine the adequacy of current treatment.
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that effects over 30
million Americans alone and researchers estimate that 10 – 15%
of the world population suffers from asthma. People with
asthma have extra sensitive or hyper-responsive airways.
The airways become irritated and narrow and constrict during
an asthma attack, causing increased resistance to airflow,
and obstructing the flow of the air to and from the lungs. |
