Asthma – What it is, Causes and Treatments

Asthma – What is it, Causes and Treatments Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of  the airways. The asthmatic’s lung is different from a healthy lung, as his bronchi are more sensitive and inflamed, reacting to the slightest sign of irritation. It affects approximately 17 million Brazilians including about 5 million children. Many people are believed to suffer from undetected asthma and remain untreated.

Although asthma usually starts in childhood, with half of cases occurring in children under the age of 10, it is no longer considered a disease that children get rid of when they become teenagers.

Asthma can strike at any age, at any time, causing even the most physically fit people to wheeze, cough, and gasp. These attacks can last a few minutes or longer.

During an asthma attack , the air passages are compressed in three ways: the muscles around the bronchi become tense, the lining of the bronchi swells, and an increase in mucus occurs. In all cases, breathing becomes very difficult.

Scholars believe that asthma is an inflammatory disease that develops during the first few years of life. The air passages of people who suffer from asthma, even those who have their first severe attack well after childhood, gradually become inflamed.

This causes the bronchi to swell and react strongly to irritating substances such as dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, air pollution and cat dander. Even weather changes can trigger an asthma attack . Currently, the main goal in an asthma treatment is to reduce this airway inflammation.

Asthma attack patterns differ from person to person, with symptoms ranging from mild to medium difficulty breathing and chest tightness that require medication for immediate relief to severe and persistent symptoms that require long-term control medications to keep the airways open.

It is essential to know the disease, its symptoms and triggering agents. Asthma attacks can be predictable when the sufferer comes into contact with a cat, or does vigorous physical exercise in cold weather, for example.

On the other hand, attacks can occur suddenly, with no apparent cause. Some people are attacked due to weather variations, others experience attacks at night, while still others have continuous symptoms. Severe cases warrant emergency hospitalization.

The asthma attack can go away on its own or with medication. As soon as an attack is controlled, breathing returns to normal. So far, there is no known cure for this disease, but with new technologies and drugs, asthma can be controlled in such a way that most people can have few or no symptoms and complications.

The number of Americans suffering from asthma has grown steadily in recent years, but most alarming is the death rate, which has increased dramatically since 1979. This disease now kills more than 5,000 Americans each year.

The reason for this growth is not known, but some researchers suggest it may be the longer time people remain indoors, where they are exposed to dust mites, pet dander and other allergens. Most of these deaths could have been avoided if asthma had been properly diagnosed and treated.

Tackling Mites:  The small mites members of the arachnid family are not a big problem for most people who don’t suffer from asthma, but they can be the main trigger of attacks indoors.

It is estimated that 50% to 90% of asthmatics react adversely to the foot. In fact, the main dust allergens are certain proteins in dust mite residues. These residues are so small and light that they easily float in the air and are inhaled.

Mites live in rugs and carpets, clothing, mattresses, bedding, and upholstered furniture. The bedrooms – particularly the pillows and mattresses – are her favorite places. They breed in humid conditions, but even in the coldest winters, dead mites and their waste can trigger allergic reactions.

Simply using the vacuum and duster can cause more dust (and dust mite residue) to float through the air. People with asthma (or dust allergy) should take the following precautions to combat dust mites.

Vacuuming regularly, especially in the bedroom, Vacuuming is a necessary evil for people who are sensitive to dust, as even the best quality ones spread fine particles through the air each time they are used, If possible, ask a person not to asthmatic who does this service or wear a protective mask while vacuuming.

Using special filters for the vacuum cleaner or electrostatic filters, they almost adjust to the output of some models and guarantee that the vacuum cleaner will not let too much dust escape – for example, through poorly fitted hoses. If the device is old and leaks a lot, it is better to buy a new one (ask your allergist for information about specific models).

• Remove dust frequently with furniture polish or damp cloth;
• Remove some or all of the rugs, carpets, and upholstered furniture, especially in the bedroom. To kill mites on rugs, place the rugs in the sun. Pass
• vacuum after picking up the rugs to remove dead mites;
• To reduce humidity (to below 50%), install air conditioners and dehumidifiers. Change hoses or filters regularly. Do not use humidifiers in winter;
• Wash bedding weekly with hot water. Use covers that can be washed with water. Dry cleaning is less effective at eliminating dust mites.
• Use non-allergenic, zippered covers on mattresses and pillows. Some manufacturers apply antimicrobial treatment to bedding but this does not kill the mites. It is not known whether this helps to reduce dust mite allergy;
• Wash curtains or replace them with blinds or shutters;
• Get rid of stuffed animals that contain a lot of mites or wash them regularly. Do not allow pets in the room;

Asthma Symptoms:

Mild Symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing, coughing , wheezing, or rapid, shallow breathing that improves when sitting; cough , especially at night, possibly with the production of yellow or clear, thick sputum; wheezing when breathing, feeling of suffocation; painless tension in the chest.

More Serious Symptoms:

• Inability to speak more than a few words without having to stop for breath; tense neck muscles; fast pulse.

Emergency Symptoms:

• Bluish fingertips, lips or face; extreme difficulty in breathing and a deep feeling of tiredness.

What Causes:  Asthma can be intrinsic or extrinsic. Extrinsic asthma is caused by a strong reaction or extreme sensitivity to certain external agents. These elements are not obvious when it comes tointrinsic asthma .

The agents that cause extrinsic asthma attacks are many and varied. These may be viral respiratory infections; exposure to pollen, mold, dust and mites; animal allergy (more than half of people with asthma are allergic); exposure to chemicals, cigarette smoke, perfume, hair sprays, air pollutants, vapors, gases and aerosols; emotional expressions such as fear, anger, frustration, crying and laughter; medications such as aspirin, food preservatives and flavorings, changes in weather, humidity and air temperature.

It is ironic that aerobic exercise, which helps to strengthen the body and make it more efficient at using oxygen, can also be an asthma trigger . This type of asthma , called exercise-induced asthma , affects one in 10 people (60% to 80% of people with asthma ). Because physical exertion triggers uncontrollable asthma attacks , many people are afraid to exercise.

In cases of intrinsic asthma , no external allergens can be identified. However, a severe respiratory infection, such as bronchitis, usually precedes an intrinsic asthma attack . In this case, asthma can be aggravated by some sort of emotional stress, pollution, fatigue and temperature changes.

Lung Capacity Meters:  You can measure lung capacity in a case using a simple device called a lung capacity meter. This device measures the speed and power with which the person exhales air from the lungs .

There may be a decrease in rapidity and potency many hours before an asthma attack occurs ; in this way, the meter serves as an early warning, long before the person feels the first symptoms of the attack.

The lung capacity meter provides a number indicating the speed of the expelled air in liters per second, or in liters per minute. The result is compared with the predicted level and with previous results, a drop of more than 10% above the normal reading may indicate an increase in airway resistance. A drop of 50% indicates that the person is in a danger zone. What to do next will depend on the guidelines set by the patient and the physician.

The drop in the level of lung capacity can occur because the airways are constricted or swollen and with mucus accumulation or because the drugs are not working as expected, or because of something.

Using the meter twice a day is especially helpful when training someone to cope with asthma , especially children, and to be alert to the body’s signals. The asthmatic soon learns: “so, this is what happens when I am about to have an asthma attack ” and can then better manage his health problems.

Lung capacity meters can be purchased from your doctor or at stores that specialize in medical supplies.

What Happens if You Don’t Take Action:  While there is no cure for asthma , trying to ignore symptoms, even if they are mild, is a mistake, because breathing difficulties will prevent a person from being able to enjoy a full active life. Although rarely fatal, asthma is a chronic disease that needs constant monitoring and medical attention.

Home remedies:  If you suffer from asthma , you need medical care to manage and control the disease. There is no known cure for asthma , but most cases can be controlled through preventive measures that end the most serious occurrences. In addition to the medications and other measures that the doctor must prescribe, follow the following steps.

• Remain Calm: Panic can worsen an asthma attack ;
• Breathe Deeply: During an attack, sit with a straight spine and lean forward, breathing rhythmically and deeply;
• Avoid Triggers: The best treatment is to stay away from agents that cause asthma attacks;
• Monitoring Lung Capacity: A lung capacity meter is an instrument that can measure how quickly a person can expel air from the lungs ; this instrument can become indispensable in the treatment program. As lung capacity normally drops a day or two before true asthma symptoms appear, regular tests will help assess the severity of asthma;

How to Avoid:  Identifying the causative agents of asthma . Keep a journal and note when attacks occur and what appears to have been the cause. Include emotional factors as well as food and environmental stimuli.

Take notes from home and work or school. Common agents include pollens, dust mites, aspirin, cat dander, chocolate, milk, nuts and fish. Avoid these items as much as possible.

• No Smoking: If you smoke, you must stop immediately. Also avoid secondhand smoke.
• Vacuuming Regularly: Reducing the amount of dust in the home will help lessen symptoms. Get rid of (and avoid buying) rugs and carpets that are difficult to clean.
• Drink Plenty of Water: I need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to help loosen secretions in the airways and maintain hydration.
• Take Care in Cold Weather: Cold air can trigger an asthma attack . In winter, cover the nose with a blanket to filter, moisten and warm the air that will be breathed.
• Exercise Regularly: When you are in shape, your body is strengthened, especially your lungs . Water aerobics and swimming are good choices, as these exercises allow you to breathe in moist air. If a particular exercise triggers an asthma attack, talk to your doctor about an adjustment or medication change.

When to Seek Medical Care:  Make an appointment the first time symptoms appear. If you have asthma and experience attacks that do not subside with self-treatment, you should contact your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room.

An appointment should also be made if the asthma medication is not working as expected, or if new, unexplained symptoms appear.

What the Physician Should Do:  He should perform a complete physical examination and medical history specific to the upper respiratory tract. Special tests may be ordered to determine the agents that trigger these attacks. Chest X-rays may also be ordered, as well as a lung function test, which is a test that measures the amount of air inhaled and exhaled.

Once the diagnosis is determined, the best thing to do is to work with your doctor to find the right medication and dosages that can prevent serious attacks from recurring.

There are several medications that can be prescribed to prevent attacks and stop symptoms when they occur. A good thing to do is to become thoroughly familiar with the medications prescribed and how and when to use them. Many of these medications can be ingested through inhaler pumps. Using inhalers correctly greatly increases the effectiveness of the medication.