This
chronic respiratory disease strikes an estimated 40 percent of
Austrialians and 17 percent of New Zealanders at some time in their
lives, including one in five children. With good management, most people
will be able to lead advice, healthy lives.
What is happening
The word 'asthma' comes from the ancient Greek for panting, but that caputres only part of the story. No doubt it would have been unwieldy to also throw in the words for wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and tightness of the chest--the most common asthma symptoms. Exactly what causes this disease is unclear, but genetics, allergies and environmental factors are believed to play key roles.
When you have asthma, your immune system overreacts to tiny substances in the environment--from pollen to dust mites--and treats these usually harmless materials as deadly invaders. This triggers a full-scale alarm in your respiratory system. Immune system defenders called mast cells, located in tiny passageways in your lungs, unleash a barrage of histamines and other chemicals. Your airways then become inflamed and constricted, and your breathing tubes produce extra mucus, making it even more difficult for air to get through.
An asthma, attack can last for minutes or hours. It may come on gradually or suddenly, and it can strike at any time, during the day or at night. Asthma runs in the families of about one-third of those with the disease and tends to develop between the ages of two and seven, but the disease can occur at any age. Most children will be free of asthma by puberty. Obesity is a major risk factor for adults. However, patterns vary greatly from one person to the next, so it's important to learn what your triggers are and how your body reacts.
What is happening
The word 'asthma' comes from the ancient Greek for panting, but that caputres only part of the story. No doubt it would have been unwieldy to also throw in the words for wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and tightness of the chest--the most common asthma symptoms. Exactly what causes this disease is unclear, but genetics, allergies and environmental factors are believed to play key roles.
When you have asthma, your immune system overreacts to tiny substances in the environment--from pollen to dust mites--and treats these usually harmless materials as deadly invaders. This triggers a full-scale alarm in your respiratory system. Immune system defenders called mast cells, located in tiny passageways in your lungs, unleash a barrage of histamines and other chemicals. Your airways then become inflamed and constricted, and your breathing tubes produce extra mucus, making it even more difficult for air to get through.
An asthma, attack can last for minutes or hours. It may come on gradually or suddenly, and it can strike at any time, during the day or at night. Asthma runs in the families of about one-third of those with the disease and tends to develop between the ages of two and seven, but the disease can occur at any age. Most children will be free of asthma by puberty. Obesity is a major risk factor for adults. However, patterns vary greatly from one person to the next, so it's important to learn what your triggers are and how your body reacts.
LIKELY FIRST STEPS
An inhaled bronchodilator to open airways. Always keep one on hand in case of a a severe attack.
A peak flow meter to help you track your asthma control and help predict when an attack is coming.
Try some preventive anti-inflammatory medications to lessen the frequency and severity of attacks.
Knowledge of your asthma triggers enables you to avoid them.
Annual flu vaccine to prevent respiratory infections. It might also be worthwhile considering the pnuemococal vaccine, especially if you are over 65 years of age.
An inhaled bronchodilator to open airways. Always keep one on hand in case of a a severe attack.
A peak flow meter to help you track your asthma control and help predict when an attack is coming.
Try some preventive anti-inflammatory medications to lessen the frequency and severity of attacks.
Knowledge of your asthma triggers enables you to avoid them.
Annual flu vaccine to prevent respiratory infections. It might also be worthwhile considering the pnuemococal vaccine, especially if you are over 65 years of age.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
Would you help me prepare an action plan?
Should I bring my peak flow readings to my next appointment?
Is it dangerous for me to exercise?
Should I consider moving to a different climate?
Will allergy injections help me?
Should I see a specialist?
Would you help me prepare an action plan?
Should I bring my peak flow readings to my next appointment?
Is it dangerous for me to exercise?
Should I consider moving to a different climate?
Will allergy injections help me?
Should I see a specialist?
Treatments
There's no cure for asthma. And it's important to understand that it's a chronic and potentially fatal disease if left untreated. Asthma has a mortality rate of approximately 5 per 100,000 of he population, mainly among the elderly. You need to be under a doctor's care for this condition. But most people with asthma can keep their symptoms in check with a combination of self-monitoring, inhalers, prescription drugs and lifestyle changes, and by avoiding common triggers.
Medications
You probably will need at least a couple of different prescription medications if you have ashtma. There are drugs that relieve symptoms, such as bronchoidlators, and others that help prevent new attacks, such as inhaled steroids. knowing which drugs you're taking for what reasons--and how to take them properly--is absolutely crucial to managing asthma.
Treatment OptionsThere's no cure for asthma. And it's important to understand that it's a chronic and potentially fatal disease if left untreated. Asthma has a mortality rate of approximately 5 per 100,000 of he population, mainly among the elderly. You need to be under a doctor's care for this condition. But most people with asthma can keep their symptoms in check with a combination of self-monitoring, inhalers, prescription drugs and lifestyle changes, and by avoiding common triggers.
Medications
You probably will need at least a couple of different prescription medications if you have ashtma. There are drugs that relieve symptoms, such as bronchoidlators, and others that help prevent new attacks, such as inhaled steroids. knowing which drugs you're taking for what reasons--and how to take them properly--is absolutely crucial to managing asthma.
MEDICATIONS
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Bronchodilators Open airways during asthma attack
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Corticosteroids Oral or IV: short term, Inhaled: long term
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Long-acting beta agonsits Help reduce symptoms
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Leukotriene receptor antagonists Often combined with other medications
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Nonsteroidal inhalers Various types for different symptoms.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Make a plan Know your drugs, how to handle emergency
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Avoid triggers Dander, pollen, cold air, dust, cockroaches
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Stop smoking First- or secondhand smoke is dangerous.
NATURAL METHODS
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Yoga Defuses stress, an asthma trigger
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Nutrition Apples, selenium, antioxidants: all helpful
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