GENERAL INFORMATION ON ASTHMA

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition with acute exacerbations; it is a reversible obstructive lung disease. Asthma can be a life-threatening disease if not properly managed.

What is an Asthma Attack?

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People who have asthma suffer from repeated asthma attacks, or flare ups, also sometimes called episodes. During an attack, breathing can be very difficult, making it hard to get enough oxygen. Wheezing and coughing during an attack can make it impossible to exercise or to sleep. The picture below shows what happens in the lungs during an asthma attack.
Normally, the muscles surrounding the tubes and air sacs are relaxed and the interior linings are smooth. Air can move easily into the lungs, and oxygen moves from the air sacs into the blood stream. But during an asthma attack, the muscles tighten, making the tubes narrow and tighten. The lining can become swollen and thick with mucus. Less air can flow into the lungs, and less oxygen enters the bloodstream.

Asthma Triggers

A trigger can be something in the environment that is irritating to the lungs, something in the food or air that can cause an allergic reaction, or a related physical condition that affects the lungs.

Examples of common triggers include:

• Environmental Triggers: Cigarette smoke, smog, paint, spray cleansers, strong chemical odors, mold, furry animals, or pests, such as cockroaches and dust mites.
• Physical Triggers: Colds or the flu, exercise or stress. Even strong emotions, such as crying and laughing, can be triggers.

No two people with asthma are the same. Contact with a dog might trigger an asthma attack for one child. Another child might have attacks only when exercising. Identify your or your child’s triggers for better asthma control.

Asthma Medications

Anti-inflammatory drugs. This is the most important type of therapy for most people with asthma because these drugs prevent asthma attacks on an ongoing basis. Steroids, also called "corticosteroids," are an important type of anti-inflammatory medication for people suffering from asthma. These drugs reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. As a result, airways are less sensitive and less likely to react to triggers.

Bronchodilators. These medications relieve the symptoms of asthma by relaxing the muscle bands that tighten around the airways. This action rapidly opens the airways, letting more air come in and out of the lungs. As a result, breathing improves. Bronchodilators also help clear mucus from the lungs. As the airways open, the mucus moves more freely and can be coughed out more easily.

The Good News

Although there is no cure for asthma, it can be controlled. The main ways to reduce or reduce asthma symptoms are:

• Avoid Triggers: Changing the environment can decrease the cause of many asthma attacks. For example, making sure no one smokes in the home can be a big help for a child with asthma.
• Use Preventive Medication: There are both oral (pill or liquid) and inhaled medications that can be used every day to prevent lung inflammation (swelling) and stop attacks from happening. These medications are taken even when you feel better; they keep you feeling that way!
• Take Rescue Medication: If an attack does happen, it's possible to reduce the severity of the attack by recognizing the warning signs and taking rescue medication right away, at the beginning of the attack.