Asthma 

What Is Asthma?

Asthma (Az-muh) is a chronic disease that affects your airways. The airways are the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). The inflammation (IN-fla-MAY-shun) makes the airways very sensitive, and they tend to react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. When the airways react, they get narrower, and less air flows through to your lung tissue. This causes symptoms like wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing, especially at night and in the early morning.

Asthma cannot be cured, but most people with asthma can control it so that they have few and infrequent symptoms and can live active lives.

When your asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it is called an asthma episode or attack. During an asthma attack, muscles around the airways tighten up, making the airways narrower so less air flows through. Inflammation increases, and the airways become more swollen and even narrower. Cells in the airways may also make more mucus than usual. This extra mucus also narrows the airways. These changes make it harder to breathe.

Asthma attacks are not all the same—some are worse than others. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that not enough oxygen gets to vital organs. This condition is a medical emergency. People can die from severe asthma attacks.

So, if you have asthma, you should see your doctor regularly. You will need to learn what things cause your asthma symptoms and how to avoid them. Your doctor will also prescribe medicines to keep your asthma under control.

Taking care of your asthma is an important part of your life. Controlling it means working closely with your doctor to learn what to do, staying away from things that bother your airways, taking medicines as directed by your doctor, and monitoring your asthma so that you can respond quickly to signs of an attack. By controlling your asthma every day, you can prevent serious symptoms and take part in all activities.

If your asthma is not well controlled, you are likely to have symptoms that can make you miss school or work and keep you from doing things you enjoy. Asthma is one of the leading causes of children missing school.

Asthma

About 17 million Americans have asthma. Nearly five million of them are children. Many children outgrow asthma in their teen years. Each year, 5000 people die from asthma.

Asthma is a disease of the lung airways. The airways get swollen and inflamed. They react easily to certain things, like viruses, smoke, or pollen. When the inflamed airways react, they get narrow. This makes it hard to breathe.

There is no known cure for asthma. But you can control it well.

How do I know if I have asthma?

Symptoms of asthma may include:

• coughing
• wheezing
• shortness of breath
• chest tightness

When these symptoms get worse, it's an "asthma attack."

Why are some people more likely to have asthma?

• Some people are more at risk due to their family history. And you are more likely to have asthma symptoms if you live where the air quality is bad.

Many things may start or worsen an asthma attack including:

• Being exposed to allergens (dust mites, cockroaches, etc)
• Viral infections of the lungs and airways
• Tobacco smoke and certain outside pollutants (chemicals or dirt in the air)
• Exercise

At what age do people get asthma?

• Many older adults have asthma. Some people develop it later in life. Others get asthma as children. The asthma may or may not go away as they grow up.

I think I have asthma. What tests should I have done?

• Chest x-ray
• Blood test
• Tests to measure how open your airways are
• Tests that show whether or not you have heart disease

How can asthma be treated?

There are many drugs used to treat asthma. There are both prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. Talk with your doctor about the best medicine for you.

How do I keep my asthma under control?

• Talk with your doctor.
• Ask your doctor for a treatment plan. Then be sure to follow it.
• Watch for early signs and respond fast.
• Stay away from things that make your asthma worse.
• See your doctor at least every 6 months.

What to do if someone is having an asthma attack

• Know the signs of trouble:
  • The person has stopped playing or working and can't start again.
  • They're struggling to breathe.
  • They have trouble walking or talking.
• Stay calm and relaxed.
• Remove the person from whatever brought on the attack (the allergy trigger).
• Find the person's inhaler.
• Call 911 if the person is having trouble breathing or if their lips or fingernails are blue.