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Asthma - Symtptoms and Treatment
Asthma is a condition which describes the sudden (but reversible) narrowing of the smaller airways in the lungs (bronchioles). This narrowing may be triggered by allergic reactions, changes in weather, colds, emotions, exercise, or unknown factors. Asthma affects 1-3% of the U.S. population and has a mortality rate of about 1 in 100,000 persons. In the United States, asthma deaths have risen 6%, with 4,580 deaths reported in 1988. Asthma is a disease that affects predominantly young people with one-half of the cases appearing prior to age 10.
Common symptoms include: rapid onset of wheezing (difficulty breathing out), tightness in the chest, dry or productive cough, and a history of prior attacks that are similar. Evaluation for the first time "wheezing" patient will include a chest x-ray to rule out the possibility of pneumonia. A close examination for evidence of a throat or ear infection that may require antibiotics is also performed. Patients who seem to have their asthma triggered by certain environmental exposures may require skin testing by an Allergist to determine what the patient is reacting to. Pulmonary function tests may be done in some cases to establish baseline function and to monitor response to therapy.
Treatment will include bronchodilator medications (e.g. Alupent, Proventil) to reverse the airway obstruction that causes the wheezing. These medications are available in pill and aerosol (hand held inhaler). More severe asthma, unresponsive to bronchodilators, may require corticosteroid medications (e.g. Prednisone, Solumedrol) to reverse the symptoms. Theophylline containing preparations are popular in lessening the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Patients who do not have their symptoms reversed after several hours in the emergency room, may require admission to the hospital. Patients with asthma and pneumonia often require admission to the hospital. Asthmatics should not smoke, they should avoid exposure to any smoky environment. Avoidance of rapid changes in temperature (going from an air conditioned house to the hot, humid outdoors) should also be considered as a possible factor that could affect the asthmatic.
Hope that this article will provide you information about asthma.
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