Asthma treatment, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and prevention

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Diseases and Disorders

Asthma is a condition characterized by obstruction of airflow in and out of the lungs caused by inflammation, muscle spasm or presence of abundant mucus in the lower airways or bronchi. These episodes lock ratorie respi-called "attacks" of asthma are triggered, enre golds factors, dust, pollutants, smoke, allergies, cold air or infections.

A case of shortness of breath

When Stacy was small, her parents noticed that the play seemed to tire more quickly than your friends. He also had coughing and sometimes wheezing. After examining Stacy, ask many questions and measure their breathing with a little machine, the doctor diagnosed his problem as asthma. One of the measures taken to take care of Stacy was to take them to the school drugs against the disease.

When I was 12, Stacy began a project in school with the help of his teacher and a nurse. The aim was to make the school a place suitable for asthma. He banned smoking even in extracurricular activities. He was cleared to school, to the extent possible, probable cause asthma attacks, such as dust, mold, cockroaches and strong fumes emitted from paint or chemicals. An initiative for children suffering from asthma llevasen their own medicines to school was launched. Finally, special lessons to students and teachers about asthma is offered and how to help a classmate who has it. The result was a healthier school not only for Stacy but for everyone.

What is asthma?

In the airways of the lungs of an asthmatic several changes occur. First, there is inflammation or swelling of the tissues that line the inside of these pathways. Second, the inflamed tissue produces a thick, slippery substance called mucus. Third, the muscles around the airways go into spasm, making them narrow. These three processes in combination-inflammation,

mucus production and muscle spasm-reducing the diameter of the airways, which makes breathing difficult. It's like trying to inflate a balloon with a narrow straw.

During an asthma attack, disturbances worsen. The airways become inflamed inside while being pressed from the outside. Meanwhile, a thick mucus blocks the airways and reduced. The ill-colloquially wheezing emits beeps-with each breath. You may also feel chest tightness, coughing and attempt to clear the lungs.

What asthma is?

Asthma sufferers have what is sometimes known as "sensitive." Airways everyday household factors, which are not problematic for most people, can cause an asthma attack. These factors are called triggers. There are two main types of triggers. The former are allergens or allergy-causing substances, such as pollens, molds, dander animals-small flakes of skin or feathers, mites, cockroaches and certain foods or medicines. Most of these substances enter the body with the air we breathe, but sometimes they do by mouth with swallow substances.

The second type of asthma trigger has nothing to do with allergy, but produces the same reaction to it in the airways. Thus, asthma can be triggered or worsened by the action of irritants in the air as smoke snuff, smoke from burning wood, fresh paint, cleaning products, perfumes, chemicals Place own work and pollution. Other triggers include cold air, sudden changes in air temperature, exercise, and heartburn

respiratory tract infections such as those occurring in a cold or flu. The exact factor that triggers asthma is different for each person.

Who gets asthma?

Asthma is one of the most common diseases in the United States. The number of patients has increased rapidly in recent years. The reason for this increase is still unknown. About a third of patients are under 18 years. Asthma is more common in black children than in white children, although it is not clear why this circumstance. You might have to do with environmental conditions.

SYMPTOMS

Here are some common symptoms of asthma. A patient may have one, some or all of:

- Dyspnoea

- Cough, especially if it lasts more than a week

- Wheezing (issued primarily to breathe)

- Feeling stiffness or discomfort in the chest

The degree to which interferes asthma in daily life of a person varies widely. Some people have problems and suffers continuous attacks anywhere with a frequency ranging from a few times a week to almost constantly. In this case, the ability to participate in physical activities is limited until, with the help of

treatment, asthma control begins. Most patients mild asthma can carry out any activity, provided that reduce their exposure to environmental triggers, take the medication as it has been prescribed and follow the instructions of doctors.

Childhood asthma Asthmatic wheezing babies have when they suffer cold, infection, airway blockage or other problems. This symptom may disappear by itself without negative effects. But if the problem persists for a while, it gets worse or comes up again, treatment is necessary. In older children, breathing should be normal. Wheezing may be a sign of asthma, but are also indicative of infection, lung disease, heartburn, heart disease and even a piece of food or other object-a-toy stuck in the airways piece. In addition to wheezing, wheezing and childhood asthma causes coughing. Parents also observed that the child gets tired quickly when playing.

Nocturnal asthma Asthma tends to worsen at night. Nocturnal asthma occurs in deep sleep. For some patients, it is a symptom; Others, however, have only coughing or wheezing at night.

Asthma associated with exercise Four out of five patients with asthma have wheezing during the year or shortly thereafter. This type of asthma is called "Exercise-induced asthma." Other symptoms of asthma include coughing, rapid heartbeat and feeling of tightness in the chest between five and ten minutes after exercise. The cold, dry air, high pollen and air pollution, congestion of the nose and respiratory tract infection are factors that tend to aggravate the problem. Among the exercises that can lead to the cause wheezing they include a trot, running on a treadmill or playing basketball. In short, exercise aeróbi-cos-designed to increase oxygen consumption.

Work-related asthma Occupational asthma comes from inhaling fumes, gases or dust when it is in the workplace. This type of asthma can be detected for the first time in a worker, or may worsen the status of a worker who already has the disease. The symptoms are wheezing, chest tightness and coughing, but may also be nasal congestion, increased mucus and eye congestion. Asthma tends to persist for a long period, even after the worker no longer has about the substance responsible for the problem.

Status asthmaticus acute attacks (status asthmaticus) is an acute asthma attack that does not improve when you take your medicatratamiento, asthma control begins. The light can carry out any activity, duzcan mediate their exposure to triggers medication as it has been prescribed and follow doctors.

Childhood asthma Asthmatic babies have sil cold, infection, blockage of roads RESPIRATORY This symptom may disappear by itself without if the problem persists for a while, agr necessary treatment. Normal older children. Wheezing may be a sign of a sign of infection, lung disease, acid and even a piece of food or other object-guete-clogged airways. Besides childhood asthma causes wheezing and coughing. L Servan the child gets tired quickly when playing.

Nocturnal asthma Asthma tends to

Regulation usual. This type of attack is an emergency that must be treated immediately to hospital or a doctor's office, where it has the necessary medication.

Diagnosis

The doctor performs a physical examination and ask questions about the symptoms and circumstances that accompany them. In addition, it uses different tests to help identify asthma and its causes. Here are some of these tests:

Allergy tests Allergy tests help identify what elements a person is allergic. The most common are cutirreación tests. Applied in reduced amounts of potentially skin allergens elements and which of them is observed reaction occur. A second type of test is a blood test in which a sample is analyzed for certain antibodies, substances produced in the blood to fight foreign bodies or aggressive. Allergy sufferers may have higher levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE). However, the blood test is considered less sensitive than skin testing test because it can not detect the same number of allergens.

Chest x-rays X-rays are invisible waves passing through most of the solid matter and produce an image on a photographic plate. In this case, what is produced is an image showing the appearance of the lungs.

Pulmonary function tests These tests show if the lungs are working properly or not. In one, the patient blows into a machine called a spirometer, which measures the amount of air that enters and leaves the lungs. A second test uses a peak flow meter to determine the speed at which a person can inhale and exhale. This device, which is held in one's hand, is very simple and can be used at home. Many asthma sufferers use it regularly for signs of an impending asthma attack, so have the time to take a drug that often prevents the attack.

Why treatment is necessary?

The uncontrolled asthma can cause many problems: from miss work or school, or need to go to the hospital until death (rarely). However, with the help of a doctor you can keep them in line. Patients with controlled asthma have very few symptoms-if any-have during the day and sleep peacefully at night. They are also able to carry out their normal activities, including exercise. However, asthma does not go away because the symptoms disappear. The patient must continue

being careful and assume that asthma is part of his life avoided triggers, will not smoke and live in a clean and healthy environment. So to proceed, even in cases of mild asthma.

Treatment

In addition to avoiding exposure to triggers, the primary method for treating asthma is to use drugs. One key to controlling the disease is to take the necessary medicine at the right time. There are two main types of asthma medicines: those that help control the disease in the long term and that provide short-term relief when the asthmatic has an attack.

Medicines to control asthma long term are taken daily to prevent symptoms even before they manifest. However, it may take several weeks before it takes effect. The most effective reduce inflammation of the airways. Generally usually inhalable drugs, facilitating his arrival directly to the lungs.

Not all asthmatics require these drugs. But they can be very useful for patients suffering from daytime asthma symptoms three or more times per week, or nocturnal asthma symptoms three or more times a month. Here are some medications to control asthma in the long term:

- Inhaled corticosteroids. These powerful drugs prevent and reduce inflammation of the airways. Also they make them less sensitive to triggers. However, they are only effective if taken regularly, so that chronic asthmatic consume daily. Inhaled corticosteroids should not be confused with dangerous steroids that some athletes use to build your muscles.

- Other inhaled medicines. They are drugs that help prevent and reduce inflammation of the airways and make them less sensitive. However, they require four to six weeks of regular use before they start to take effect.

This type of drug is consumed daily chronic asthma sufferers, but can also be used before exercise or contact with a trigger.

- Oral corticosteroids. These drugs are taken by mouth in the form of pills or syrups. Unlike inhaled corticosteroids can have serious side effects when used for a long period. However, they are very effective in short to treat acute asthma attacks and to control the disease quickly treatments; Sometimes, people with more severe asthma take them every day or every other day not.

- Long-acting bronchodilators. They are drugs that relax the muscles in the airways and thereby facilitate breathing. They can prevent or reduce the narrowing airway. They are only effective when used regularly. These medications are inhaled or taken orally in pill form. Some are especially useful in preventing nocturnal asthma or exercise-induced.

- Anticholinergics. They constitute a new type of asthma medication that prevents and reduces inflammation of the airways, strengthening to the triggers. They also prevent muscle pressure in the airway.

Regularly they are taken orally in pill form.

So far they have been used regularly for mild patients twelve years of age or older asthma.

- Allergy Vaccines. In some cases, the patient's symptoms of asthma can be prevented or reduced with allergy shots whose effect can last for months or years.

This treatment makes the patient less sensitive to allergens.

It is fast acting medications comes to fast acting medications only when necessary relax and open the airways without delay. They can be used to relieve symptoms and to prevent indication when the peak flow meter starts to drop to an impending asthma attack. However, these drugs are only effective for a few hours. Unlike the long-acting, do not prevent the symptoms reappear later. They inhaled at the first sign of an attack or before contact with a trigger. Antiasthmatic fast acting above also are called short-acting bronchodilators. Relax the muscles around the airways and thus make breathing easier. They begin to take effect within five minutes of taking them and that effect can last from four to six hours. They are used just as they begin to manifest symptoms or before you exercise.

How inhalation drugs are administered?

Many asthma medications are designed to have direct access to the lungs. The most popular is the dosificante inhaler that delivers medicine to the lungs in exact amounts. An inhaler is a container (metal or plastic) laptop with a button that the patient presses to spray medicine. Sometimes, it comes with a disperser head which facilitates its use.

Another tool to administer inhalational medicines is nebuli-zer, which turns liquid medication into a fine mist. The

nebulizers are very useful for sick children and elderly, who often have problems with dosificante inhaler.

To breathe easier

Asthma sufferers should try to find out what triggers your symptoms worsen and take precautions to avoid them. Here are some of the measures taken to control many different asthma triggers. Not all are effective for all patients.

Pollen and mold in the air udder to control the pollen and mold, asthmatics often:

- Have doors and windows closed during periods of high pollen and mold counts

- Restrict gardens and walks through the countryside in the flowering season and when pollen and mold counts are highest

- Driving with the windows closed in pollen seasons, and utilize air conditioning

- Consult with your doctor about the possibility of taking a long-acting medication or increase treatment already in progress before the start of the period of maximum pollination.

To control indoor mold mold indoors, asthmatics often have to:

- Fix leaky faucets, pipes and other sources of water

- Clean places where mold with a product containing bleach

- Renounce papered walls, which are potential sources of mold

- Get rid of houseplants in which mold and dust can accumulate.

Pet dander is allergic to the hair-stretchers animals (such as cats or quills) people tend to take the following measures:

- As far as possible, keep pets with feathers or hair away from home

- Keep pets out of the bedrooms, the doors should always be left closed

- Get rid of carpets and upholstered furniture with fabric or have pets away from these objects

- Use polyester filled pillows (instead of feathers) and avoid duvets.

Dust mites asthma sufferers are often allergic to dust because of a tiny organisms called mites, which nest in it. Keep the house clean of dust can be helpful. Hence, many asthmatics take the following measures:

wash bedding weekly in hot-water water should exceed 130 ° F (54 ° C) to kill mites

- Special use dust covers for mattresses and pillows. Washed weekly in hot water

- Try not to sleep or lie on cloth or upholstered cushions decorated with furniture

- Avoid carpets

- Not to rag dolls on the beds, and wash them weekly in hot water

- Use a dust mask when vacuuming or commission passed someone to do this task

Cockroaches Many asthmatics are also sensitive to cockroaches and make a special effort to get rid of these stubborn bugs with the following measures:

- Do not bring food to the bedrooms

- Store food and garbage in closed containers and remove food debris and crumbs as soon as you finish eating

- Use traps, poisons, powders and liquid or paste insecticides to kill cockroaches

- Not enter rooms with insecticide sprayed until the smell is gone

Certain foods and medications is important:

- Avoid foods that have caused problems in the past

- Inform doctors about any reaction to medication

Smoke and strong odors Smoking is not good for anyone, not for active nor passive smoking. Patients with asthma are especially sensitive to the dangers of smoke and snuff soon warn that the best for them is not to smoke. They also tend to ask the family to leave the snuff and visitors to refrain from smoking.

Other measures in this regard are:

- Avoid, insofar as possible, the use of wood stoves, kerosene heaters or fireplaces

- Avoid strong fragrances and vapors such as perfume, hair spray and fresh paint

Exercise Exercise is healthy for anyone and asthma sufferers are no exception. To exercise and practice your favorite sports, asthmatics often take the following measures:

- Heating for 6-10 minutes before exercise

- Avoid outdoor exercise if environmental pollution or pollen counts are high or when the air is cold

- Choose activities that do not cause symptoms; sports career are the most dangerous in this regard

- Consult with a doctor about the advisability of using a medication before exercising, as a preventive measure