• About Asthma
• Your Experience
• Your Experience Asthma Inhaler

About Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition involving the respiratory system in which the airways become lined with excessive amounts of mucus, narrow and become inflamed. Between episodes, most patients feel generally well but can suffer mild symptoms after exercising, or emotionally stressed. Asthma can range from mild to life threatening, and is usually diagnosed in childhood.

Current research shows that childhood asthma is on the increase due to lifestyle changes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health Interview Surveys, the number of US children below 18 years of age with asthma has increased since 1980. Globally, asthma is responsible for around 180,000 deaths annually.

So What Are The Known Risk Factors That Triggers Asthma:

• a personal or family history of asthma or atrophy
• premature birth or low birth weight
• viral respiratory infection in early childhood
• maternal smoking
• environmental stimulant such as an allergen
• obacco smoke
• cold or warm air
• perfume
• moist air
• exercise or exertion
• emotional stress
• traffic fumes
• in children, viral illnesses (i.e common cold).

Symptoms include

• coughing
• wheezing
• shortness of breath &tightness in chest
• unable to do physical exercise without breathing difficulties
• tachycardia
• severe attacks can make the person turn blue from lack of oxygen, chest pain even lose consciousness

The severity and duration of the symptoms are varied and are sometimes worse during the night or during exercise.
Treatment is usually controlled with a combination of drugs:

• Reliever Inhaler – Containing Short-acting beta2-agonists, or/and corticosteroids
• oral medication (tablet)
• oral steroids though long term use of oral steroids carries serious side effect
• Alternative therapies: Chinese medicine, acupuncture, homoeopathy, breathing exercises, (however there is no evidence that these treatments are effective)and environmental changes (i.e. a smoker stopping smoking, diet).

Prognosis for asthma is good, especially for children who suffer from it mildly. The death rate for asthma is low, causing around 6000 deaths out of 10 millionpatients per year in the United States

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