Definition
Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing , shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
Symptoms
- Wheezing
- Usually begins suddenly
- Comes in episodes
- May be worse at night or in early morning
- Gets worse with cold aira, exercise, and heartburn (reflux)
- May go away on its own
- Is relieved by bronchodilators (drugs that open the airways)
- Cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production
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Definition
Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing , shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
Symptoms
- Wheezing
- Usually begins suddenly
- Comes in episodes
- May be worse at night or in early morning
- Gets worse with cold aira, exercise, and heartburn (reflux)
- May go away on its own
- Is relieved by bronchodilators (drugs that open the airways)
- Cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production
- Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or activity
- Intercostal retractions (pulling of the skin between the ribs when breathing)
Emergency symptoms:
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Causes
Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swell. This reduces the amount of air that can pass by, and can lead to wheezing sounds.
Most people with asthma have wheezing attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some patients have long-term shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Still, in others, a cough may be the main symptom. Asthma attacks can last minutes to days and can become dangerous if the airflow becomes severely restricted.
In sensitive individuals, asthma symptoms can be triggered by breathing in allergy-causing substances (called allergens or triggers). Triggers include pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, or pollens. Asthma symptoms can also be triggered by ...
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Treatment
Treatment is aimed at avoiding known allergens and respiratory irritants and controlling symptoms and airway inflammation through medication.
There are two basic kinds of medication for the treatment of asthma:
Long-term control medications are used on a regular basis to prevent attacks, not for treatment during an attack. Types include:
- Inhaled steroids (such as Azmacort, Vanceril, AeroBid, Flovent) prevent inflammation
- Leukotriene inhibitors (such as Singulair and Accolate)
- Anti-IgE therapy (Xolair), a medicine given by injection to patients with more severe asthma
- Long-acting bronchodilators (such as Serevent) help open airways
- Cromolyn sodium (Intal) or nedocromil sodium
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Other Names
Bronchial asthma; Exercise-induced asthma
Outlook (Prognosis)
There is no cure for asthma, though symptoms sometimes decrease over time. With proper self management and medical treatment, most people with asthma can lead normal lives.
Prevention
Asthma symptoms can be substantially reduced by avoiding known allergens and respiratory irritants. If someone with asthma is sensitive to dust mites, exposure can be reduced by encasing mattresses and pillows in allergen-impermeable covers, removing carpets from bedrooms, and by vacuuming regularly. Exposure to dust mites and mold can be reduced by lowering indoor humidity.
If a person is allergic to an animal that cannot be removed from the home, the animal should be kept out of the patient's bedroom. Filtering material can be placed over the heating outlets to trap animal dander. Exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollution, industrial dusts, and irritating fumes should also be avoided.
Allergy desensitization may be helpful in reducing asthma symptoms and medication use, but the size of the ...
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Exams and Tests
Allergy testing may be helpful in identifying allergens in patients with persistent asthma. Common allergens include pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, and pollens. Common respiratory irritants include tobacco smoke, pollution, and fumes from burning wood or gas.
The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs. Asthma-related sounds may be heard. However, lung sounds are usually normal between asthma episodes.
Tests may include:
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Support Groups
The stress caused by illness can often be helped by joining a support group, where members share common experiences and problems. See asthma and allergy - support group .
References
Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma -- Update on Selected Topics 2002 . Bethesda, MD. 2003 June. National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. NIH publications 02-5074.
