Asthma is a disease which affects the airways that carry air to and from your lungs. People who suffer from this chronic condition are said to be asthmatic.
The inner walls of an asthmatic's airways are swollen or inflamed. They become even more swollen and the muscles around the airways can tighten when something triggers your symptoms. This makes it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and/or chest tightness..
People with a family history of
allergies or asthma are more prone to developing asthma. Many people with
asthma also have allergies. Occupational Asthma is caused by inhaling fumes, gases, dust or
other potentially harmful substances while on the job. Childhood Asthma impacts millions of children and their
families. In fact, the majority of children who develop asthma do so before the
age of five. There is no cure for asthma, but once it is properly diagnosed and
a treatment plan is in place you will be able to manage your condition, and
your quality of life will improve. An allergist / immunologist is the
best qualified physician in diagnosing and treating asthma. With the help of
your allergist, you can take control of your condition and participate in
normal activities.
Asthma
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Asthma
Symptoms
According to leading experts in asthma, the symptoms of asthma and best treatment for you or your child may be quite different than for someone else with asthma.
According to leading experts in asthma, the symptoms of asthma and best treatment for you or your child may be quite different than for someone else with asthma.
The most common symptom is wheezing.
This is a scratchy or whistling sound when you breathe. Other symptoms include:
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Chronic coughing
• Trouble sleeping due to coughing or wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Chronic coughing
• Trouble sleeping due to coughing or wheezing
Asthma symptoms, also called asthma
flare-ups or asthma attacks, are often caused by allergies and exposure to
allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, pollen or mold. Non-allergic triggers
include smoke, pollution or cold air or changes in weather. Asthma symptoms may
be worse during exercise, when you have a cold or during times of high stress. Children
with asthma may show the same symptoms as adults with asthma: coughing,
wheezing and shortness of breath. In some children chronic cough may be the
only symptom.
If your child has one or more of
these common symptoms, make an appointment with an allergist / immunologist:
• Coughing that is constant or that is made worse by viral infections, happens while your child is asleep, or is triggered by exercise and cold air
• Wheezing or whistling sound when your child exhales
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing, which may be associated with exercise
• Chest tightness (a young child may say that his chest “hurts” or “feels funny”)
• Fatigue (your child may slow down or stop playing)
• Problems feeding or grunting during feeding (infants)
• Avoiding sports or social activities
• Problems sleeping due to coughing or difficulty breathing
• Coughing that is constant or that is made worse by viral infections, happens while your child is asleep, or is triggered by exercise and cold air
• Wheezing or whistling sound when your child exhales
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing, which may be associated with exercise
• Chest tightness (a young child may say that his chest “hurts” or “feels funny”)
• Fatigue (your child may slow down or stop playing)
• Problems feeding or grunting during feeding (infants)
• Avoiding sports or social activities
• Problems sleeping due to coughing or difficulty breathing
Patterns in asthma symptoms are
important and can help your doctor make a diagnosis.
Asthma Diagnosis
An allergist diagnoses asthma by taking a thorough medical history and performing breathing tests to measure how well your lungs work. One of these tests is called spirometry. The patient will take a deep breath and blow into a sensor to measure the amount of air your lungs can hold and the speed of the air you inhale or exhale. This test diagnoses asthma severity and measures how well treatment is working. Many people with asthma also have allergies, so your doctor may perform allergy tests . Treating the underlying allergic triggers for your asthma will help you avoid asthma symptoms.
Asthma Diagnosis
An allergist diagnoses asthma by taking a thorough medical history and performing breathing tests to measure how well your lungs work. One of these tests is called spirometry. The patient will take a deep breath and blow into a sensor to measure the amount of air your lungs can hold and the speed of the air you inhale or exhale. This test diagnoses asthma severity and measures how well treatment is working. Many people with asthma also have allergies, so your doctor may perform allergy tests . Treating the underlying allergic triggers for your asthma will help you avoid asthma symptoms.
Asthma
Treatment & Management
There is no cure for asthma, but symptoms can be controlled with effective asthma treatment and management. This involves taking your medications as directed and learning to avoid triggers that cause your asthma symptoms. Your allergist will prescribe the best medications for your condition and provide you with specific instructions for using them.Controller medications are taken daily and include inhaled corticosteroid (fluticasone (Flovent Diskus, Flovent HFA), budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler), mometasone (Asmanex), ciclesonide (Alvesco), flunisolide (Aerobid), beclomethasone (Qvar) and others).
Combination inhalers contain an
inhaled corticosteroid plus a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA). LABAs are
symptom-controllers that are helpful in opening your airways. However, in
certain people they may carry some risks. LABAs should never be prescribed as
the sole therapy for asthma. Current recommendations are for them to be used
only along with inhaled corticosteroids. Combination medications include
fluticasone and salmeterol (Advair Diskus, Advair HFA), budesonide and
formoterol (Symbicort), and mometasone and formoterol (Dulera). Leukotriene
modifiers are oral medications that include montelukast (Singulair),
zafirlukast (Accolate) and zileuton (Zyflo, Zyflo CR).
Quick-relief or rescue medications
are used to quickly relax and open the airways and relieve symptoms during an
asthma flare-up, or are taken before exercising if prescribed. These include:. short-acting
beta-agonist. These inhaled bronchodilator (brong-koh-DIE-lay-tur) medications
include albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA, others), levalbuterol (Xopenex
HFA) and pirbuterol (Maxair Autohaler). Quick-relief medications do not take
the place of controller medications. If you rely on rescue relief more than
twice a week, it is time to see your allergist.
Oral and intravenous corticosteroids
may be required for acute asthma flare-ups or for severe symptoms. Examples
include prednisone and methylprednisolone. They can cause serious side effects
if used on a long term basis.
If you are pregnant, you may be
hesitant about taking medications, including those for asthma. This can be a
mistake for your health and that of your baby-to-be. Continue taking your
prescribed asthma medications and make an appointment with your allergist to
discuss treatments that will help you have a healthy pregnancy. Additionally,
you may want to enroll in a study designed to monitor medications and
pregnancy. People with asthma are at risk of developing complications from
respiratory infections such as influenza and pneumonia. That is why it is
important for asthma sufferers, especially adults, to get vaccinated annually. With
proper treatment and an asthma management plan, you can minimize your
symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.
Exercise and Asthma
. Activities that involve short, intermittent periods of
exertion, such as volleyball, gymnastics, baseball, and wrestling, are
generally well tolerated by people with symptoms of asthma. Activities that
involve long periods of exertion, such as soccer, distance running, basketball,
and field hockey, may be less well tolerated. Also, cold-weather sports, such
as ice hockey, cross-country skiing, and ice-skating, may pose challenges.
However, many people with asthma are able to participate fully in these
activities. Other beneficial activities for people with asthma include both
outdoor and indoor biking, aerobics, walking, and running on a treadmill.
What should I do to control asthma during exercise?
- Before starting an exercise program, talk to your doctor. He or she will help you decide what activities are best for you. Your asthma action plan will tell you what to do before exercise and if you have symptoms during exercise.
- Always use your pre-exercise asthma medicine (inhaled bronchodilators, cromolyn, or nedocromil), if directed by your asthma action plan, before beginning exercise.
- Perform warm-up exercises, and maintain an appropriate cool-down period after exercise.
- If the weather is cold, exercise indoors or wear a mask or scarf over your nose and mouth.
- If you have allergic asthma, avoid exercising outdoors when pollen counts or air pollution counts are high.
- Restrict exercise when you have a viral infection, like a cold.
- Exercise at a level that is appropriate for you.
Maintaining an active lifestyle is important for both physical
and mental health. Remember: Asthma is not a reason to avoid exercise.
With proper diagnosis and the most effective treatment, you should be able to
enjoy the benefits of an exercise program without experiencing asthma
symptoms.
If you have any questions, talk to your doctor.
What do I do if I have asthma attack while exercising?
If you begin to experience asthma symptoms during exercise, stop
and follow the instructions in your asthma action plan. Keep your rescue inhaler
handy, and use it as directed as soon as you have symptoms. If your symptoms
are not getting better, call for emergency medical assistance.
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