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Asthma
OVERVIEW PREVENTION SYMPTOMS TESTS TREATMENT MANAGING
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases. About one third of those affected are A D V E RT I SE M E N T
children under age 18. Asthma may occur at any age, although a first attack is more likely to
occur before the age of 40.
No one knows exactly what causes asthma, and a cure remains elusive. But in recent years,
great strides have been made in developing new treatments so that people with asthma c an
successfully manage the disease themselves, reducing symptoms and maintaining an active,
satisfying life.
Need-to-know anatomy
Causes
Risk factors
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
How asthma is classified
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Need-to-know anatomy
Asthma is a disease of the bronchial tubes, the airways of the lungs. When air is taken into
the body through the nose and windpipe, it passes through the bronchial tubes and smaller
bronchioles into tiny air sacs, called alveoli, that deliver oxygen to the blood. The air sacs
also collect carbon dioxide from the blood, which is then exhaled.
During normal breathing, the bands of muscle that surround the airways are relaxed, and air
moves freely. During an asthma episode, or "attack," three main changes stop air from
moving easily through the airways:
The bands of muscle that surround the airways tighten, narrowing the airways. This Allergies Got You Down?
tightening is called a bronchospasm. You can't cure your allergies, but there are
The lining of the airways becomes swollen or inflamed. things you can do to reduce your allergy
The cells that line the airways produce more mucous, which is thicker than normal. symptoms.
Bronchospasms, inflammation, and mucus production cause asthma symptoms, which include Video: Asthma Explained
wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, chest pressure, pain, or tightness. Severe episodes can Video: What Are Food Allergies?
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20.4.2011 About Asthma - US News Health
lead to inability to perform normal activities like walking and talking.
See more Health Videos
Causes
The airways in a person with asthma are very sensitive and react to many "triggers," HEALTH BLOGS
although doctors don't know exactly why the triggers bring on asthma symptoms. People Parents, Not Kids, Are the Biggest Abusers of
react differently to the various triggers, and an individual's reaction can vary from episode to Tec hnology
episode. One of the most important steps in asthma control is avoiding triggers. Optimism Protects Teens From Depression,
Health Risks
Common asthma triggers include the following:
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Infections (colds, viruses, flu, sinus infections)
Even Kids on Sports Teams Don't Get Enough
Exercise (very common in children) Exercise
Weather (cold air, c hanges in temperature, and humidity) TV Watching Is Bad for Babies' Brains
Tobacco smoke and air pollution More Health Blogs
Allergens (dust mites, pollens, pets, mold spores, cockroaches, and, rarely, foods)
Fumes from chemic al products
Stress and strong emotions
Exposure to substances in the workplace (leading to occupational asthma)
Risk factors
The number of people with asthma is on the rise, with more than 17 million Americans
affected. More than 5 million of those are children. Although the exact causes of asthma are
unknown, scientists have identified risk factors that make it more likely that a person will
have asthma. They include the following:
Living in the inner city, which may actually be a combination of other risk factors, Best Hospitals
including exposure to air pollution and low birth weight
Best Health Plans
Chemicals such as adhesives, shellac and lacquer, plastics, epoxy resins, carpeting, foam
and rubber, insulation, dyes, and enzymes in detergents
Proteins in animal hair and dander
Grains, green coffee beans, and papain, an enzyme derived from the papaya
Cotton, flax, and hemp dust, c ommonly found in the textile industry
Metals, such as platinum, chromium, nickel sulfate, and soldering fumes
If asthma is caused by occupational exposure, the symptoms usually are worse on workdays
and improve when you are at home for any length of time. Symptoms include coughing,
wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Eye irritation, nasal congestion and a
runny nose may also be present.
If you think you have occupational asthma, ask your doctor about a referral to a specialist,
most likely an allergist.
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Sinusitis and asthma frequently coexist. When present, sinusitis can make asthma harder to
treat. Remember that asthma is inflammation of the lungs and sinusitis is inflammation of the
nasal passages. Controlling the inflammatory process in the nose can help lead to better
control of asthma symptoms.
Treatment of sinusitis includes use of anti-inflammatory nasal sprays (steroid nasal sprays)
as well as antihistamine and decongestant medications. If the sinuses become infected,
appropriate antibiotic therapy will be prescribed to treat the infection.
When acid enters the lower part of the esophagus, it can produce a burning sensation, or
heartburn. If left untreated, GERD can eventually lead to lung damage, esophageal ulcers,
and in some instances Barrett's esophagus, a condition that can eventually result in
esophageal cancer.
Doctors most often look at GERD as the cause of asthma when the following happen:
If you have both asthma and GERD, it is important that you consistently take any asthma
medications your doctor has prescribed and that you control your exposure to asthma
triggers as much as possible.
Managing GERD
To control symptoms of GERD, you should:
Avoid food and drink within three hours of going to sleep and take any medications your
doctor has prescribed for acid reflux.
Raise the head of your bed by 6 inches to allow gravity to help keep the stomach's
contents in the stomach. Do not use piles of pillows, because this puts your body into a
bent position that can aggravate the condition by increasing pressure on the abdomen.
Eat smaller meals with moderate portions of food.
Maintain a healthy weight to eliminate abdominal pressure caused by extra pounds.
Limit consumption of fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint, coffee, tea, colas, and alcohol,
all of which relax the lower esophageal sphincter. Also eat tomatoes and citrus fruits or
juices sparingly, since their acid content can irritate the esophagus.
Give up smoking which relaxes the muscle between the esophagus and stomach
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Give up smoking, which relaxes the muscle between the esophagus and stomach.
Wear loose belts and clothing.
Over-the-counter antacids can often relieve GERD symptoms. However, if after two
weeks these medications have not helped, contact your doctor. You may need to be
prescribed medications that limit the amount of stomach acid your body produces.
Symptoms occur less than two times a week and nighttime symptoms occur less than two
times per month.
Asthma episodes are brief, ranging from a few hours to a few days.
Performance on lung-function tests is greater than 80 percent of usual.
Mild, persistent asthma
Symptoms occur more than two times per week but not every day.
Nighttime symptoms may occur more than two times per month.
Episodes may affect activity.
Performance on lung-function tests is greater than 80 percent of usual.
Moderate, persistent asthma
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