About Asthma

The NMHCC has stated that:

• Over 100 million people worldwide have asthma; 13 million in the U.S. alone.
• The prevalence of asthma is increasing among children and is the leading cause of hospitalization and school absenteeism for this group.
• Asthma costs $9.5 billion annually in direct medical costs and lost productivity.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incidence of cases of asthma in the U.S. jumped more than 40% between 1982 and 1992.
• Fewer than 4 percent of patients with asthma account for more than 50 percent of the medical resources used in treatment of the disease.
• There was a 40 percent increase in deaths related to asthma in a nine-year period between 1982 and 1991.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a disease affecting the airways that carry air into and out of the lungs.

Symptoms vary from person to person, but may include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or producing a lot of mucus.

Who can get asthma?

Anyone! Asthma is most likely to occur in children by age 5, and in adults in their 30s. Even older adults can develop asthma; about 10 percent of new asthma cases are diagnosed in people who are 65 years or older. And although we don't yet know why, people living in urban communities are more likely to have asthma than people living elsewhere.

Certain factors increase your chances of developing asthma. For example, if one of your parents has the disease, then you are more likely to get it. And if you have allergies, you're more likely to develop asthma as well. (As a matter of fact, at least 80 percent of children and 50 percent of adults with asthma also have allergies.)

Children with asthma

In infants, asthma is difficult to diagnose. It is often called "wheezy" bronchitis, chronic bronchitis or bronchiolitis. And for reasons yet unknown, boys are more likely than girls to develop the disease before puberty.

As their lungs develop, some children have fewer and fewer symptoms. Others have serious symptoms their whole lives. Still others see their asthma go into remission for years, only to return later in life.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict which children will get better. If your child has asthma, take care of it now - untreated asthma may cause permanent lung damage.

What causes asthma?

People with asthma have inflamed airways which are super-sensitive to things which do not bother other people. These things are called "triggers".

Although asthma triggers vary from person to person, some of the most common include:

Substances that cause allergies (allergens) such as dust mites, pollens, molds, pet dander, and even cockroach debris. Irritants in the air, including smoke from cigarettes, wood fires or charcoal grills. Also, strong fumes or odors like household sprays, paint, gasoline, perfumes and scented soaps. Respiratory infections such as colds, flu, sore throats, and sinus infections. These are the most common asthma triggers in children. Exercise and other activities that make you breathe harder. Weather such as dry wind, cold air, or sudden changes in weather.

What happens during an asthma episode?

During normal breathing, the airways to the lungs are fully open, allowing air to move in and out freely. But people with asthma have inflamed, super-sensitive airways. Their triggers cause the following airway changes, which in turn cause asthma symptoms:

• The lining of the airways swell and become more inflamed,
• mucus clogs the airways, and
• the muscles around the airways tighten (bronchospasm).

These changes narrow the airways until breathing becomes difficult and stressful, like trying to breathe through a straw stuffed with cotton.

Medications:

There are two kinds of asthma medications: anti-inflammatory medicines and bronchodilators.

1. Anti-inflammatory medicines prevent or reverse inflammation in the airways. This makes the airways less sensitive and keeps them from reacting as easily to triggers. In short, they actually prevent asthma episodes.
2. Bronchodilators open airways by relaxing muscles that tighten in and around the airways during asthma episodes. They relieve asthma symptoms.

Many asthma medications are taken using a metered dose inhaler (MDI). For inhalers to work well, they must be used correctly. But over half of all people who use inhalers don't use them properly. Ask your doctor or nurse to watch you and check your technique.

What Can I Do?

In 1991, a panel of experts form the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI is a U.S. Government center for health research and policy) wrote Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. These guidelines stress:

• Asthma is a chronic disease. You need to take care of it all the time, not just when you have symptoms.
• The best way to take care of asthma is to work in partnership with your doctor.
• The more you know, the better you can help control your own asthma.
• Remember, the best way to control your asthma is to follow your management plan.

For more information on this and related topics contact:

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
1-800-7-ASTHMA

MODIFIED FROM:
The Asthma and Allergy Advance