Asthma and Lung Diseases

Pertussis (Whooping Cough): What You Can Do About It

2010-09-18T13:53:00.000+08:00

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a very serious respiratory condition, especially in infants. It is often times spread to babies from older children or adults who have the disease but usually do not know they have it.

Whooping cough can be dangerous and can be fatal to infants and children, especially in babies less than 1 year of age. To stay protected from the disease, you should try to get your baby and everyone around your baby vaccinated.

For more information about the signs and symptoms and prevention of the condition, visit our Pertussis (Whooping Cough) page.

Bronchiectasis Causes Symptoms and Treatment

2010-06-27T17:14:00.001+08:00

Bronchiectasis is a respiratory disorder in which airways called bronchial tubes are damaged. The bronchi are passageways that carry air in out of the lungs. It usually results from an infection or other lung condition that injures the walls of the airways or prevents the airways from clearing mucus. Mucus is a slimy substance produced by the airways that help trap and remove inhaled dust, microbes, and other small particles.

In bronchiectasis, the airways gradually lose their ability to clear out mucus. When this happens, mucus then builds up and can become an environment in which bacteria and other microbes can grow. This can lead to serious lung infections that can repeatedly occur.

Repeated infection causes the airways to become more damaged. Continuous damage to the airways can cause them to lose their ability to move air in and out. As a result, not enough oxygen reaches the body organs.

If untreated, the condition may lead to serious health problems, such as respiratory failure, atelectasis, and heart failure.

Causes

The most common cause of bronchiectasis is an injury to the walls of the airways. A lung infection, such as pneumonia, whooping cough, tuberculosis, or fungal infections can injure the air passages and lead to the development of the disease.

In some cases, the person may have an underlying condition, which increases the risk of having lung infection. Examples may include cystic fibrosis and HIV and AIDS.

Sometimes, blockage to the airways, such as a noncancerous tumor or inhaled objects like a piece of a toy or a peanut can lead to bronchiectasis.

Symptoms

Initial damage to the airways that lead to the condition often begins in childhood. Signs and symptoms, however, may not appear immediately. Symptoms may appear months or years after the person starts to have repeated lung infections.

Common signs and symptoms of the disease include:

A daily cough, over months or years
Daily production of large amounts of sputum (spit). Sputum, which you cough up and spit out, may contain mucus (a slimy substance), trapped particles, and pus.
Shortness of breath and wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe)
Chest pain
Clubbing (the flesh under your fingernails and toenails gets thicker)

Left untreated, it may cause more serious symptoms, such as coughing up blood or bloody mucus, fatigue, weight loss. A child with bronchiectasis may also not grow at a normal rate.

Severe bronchiectasis may lead to respiratory failure, atelectasis and heart failure.

Treatment

Early detection and treatment are very important. The sooner the condition is detected and the underlying cause treated, the better the chance of preventing further damage to the lungs.

Often, treatment involve medications like antibiotics and expectorants; hydration therapy; and chest physical therapy. In some cases, surgery may be recommended by the doctor, especially if lots of bleeding occurs. With widespread bronchiectasis, the doctor may also recommend oxygen therapy.

Reference:
National Lung Heart and Blood Institute (May 2009). Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/brn/brn_whatis.html. Accessed on June 27, 2010

Atelectasis Causes Symptoms and Treatment

2010-06-27T15:25:00.004+08:00

Atelectasis, also called lung collapse, is a lung condition in which one or more areas of the lungs collapse and don't inflate properly.

Normally, air sacs in the lungs called alveoli inflate when we breathe in. A process, called gas exchange then occurs. During this time, carbon dioxide from the body and oxygen are exchanged. This makes the blood passing through blood vessels in the lungs to become oxygen rich to be transported to the different parts of the body. This is a continuous process.

In order for gas exchange to occur, the air sacs must remain open and filled with air during breathing in. Surfactant, which is a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs, helps these air sacs to remain open.

In atelectasis, however, part or parts of the lung collapses or does not inflate at all. The part of the lung that has collapsed no longer can take part in gas exchange.

If only a small area or few areas of the lungs are affected, signs or symptoms may not happen. Other normal areas of the lungs can compensate for the collapsed part. However, if the condition affects a large area of the lungs, the body may not get enough oxygen-rich blood.

Causes

Some conditions and factors can prevent a person from performing deep breathing and coughing, causing atelectasis.

The condition can commonly occur after surgery. The medication used during surgery to put the patient to sleep can decrease or stop the patient's normal effort to breathe.

Also, surgery on the chest or abdomen can cause a person not to take deep breaths because of pain. This can result in part of the to collapse or not inflate normally.

Pressure from just outside the lungs may also cause a person not to take deep breaths. A number of conditions and factors can cause outside pressure, such as a tumor, a tight body cast, a bone deformity or fracture, or pleural effusion-the buildup of fluid between the ribs and the lungs. Other lung conditions that can cause atelectasis include respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), pneumonia and lung cancer.

Symptoms

Symptoms may not occur if the condition affects a small area in the lung. If a larger area is involved, signs and symptoms occur, which may include shortness of breath, elevated heart rate and breathing rate, and bluish discoloration of the skin and lips. When skin and lips turn blue, this may be a sign that the body is not getting enough oxygen.

If surgery is the underlying cause, chest pain due to surgery may be experienced.

Treatment

The primary goal of treating atelectasis is to find and treat the cause of the condition and reexpand the collapsed lung area. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

If the condition is caused by surgery, the doctor may recommend deep breathing and coughing exercises. Coughing helps to clear mucus and expel microbes that are in the respiratory tract.

If pressure from outside the lungs is causing the condition, the doctor will treat or remove the cause of pressure. For example, if the cause is a fluid buildup or a tumor, the doctor will remove the fluid or tumor, thus, allowing the lung area to expand.

If atelectasis is caused by another lung condition, the doctor may treat it with medications, procedures or other therapies.

Source:
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (June 2010). Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/atl/atl_what.html. Accessed on June 27, 2010.

Pulmonary Hypertension

2010-06-27T14:34:00.000+08:00

Pulmonary hypertension, also called PH, is a condition in which pressure in the pulmonary arteries increase. The pulmonary arteries are small blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs where oxygen is picked up.

PH can be caused by changes in the walls of the arteries or because of formation of blood clots in the arteries themselves. In some cases, the walls of the arteries tighten and in others, the walls are stiff even upon birth. Overgrowth of cells in the arterial walls may also cause the walls to become stiff.

If any of these changes occur, the heart will have difficulty of pushing blood through the arteries into the lungs. This can cause a rise in pressure within the arteries,thus, the name pulmonary hypertension. In addition, the right part of the heart will have a hard time pumping blood, causing it to become strained and weak. Over time, the heart becomes so weak that it can't pump blood to the lungs-a condition called heart failure. This failure of the heart to pump blood is the most common cause of death in people who have PH.

Symptoms

Pulmonary hypertension can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath during routine activity (for example, climbing two flights of stairs), tiredness, chest pain, and a racing heartbeat. As the disease worsens, its symptoms may limit all physical activity.

Treatment

There is no cure for PH yet. However, researchers are finding new ways to treat the condition. Early diagnosis and treatment is necessary to control the condition.

Depending on the type and how severe PH that a person has, treatment options may include medications, surgical procedures and other therapies such as oxygen therapy. In some cases, a combination of these treatment procedures may be recommended by the doctor.

Source:
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (September 2008). Available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pah/pah_what.html. Accessed on June 27, 2010.

COPD Risks and Symptoms

2010-05-15T09:15:00.005+08:00

COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung condition, which makes a person hard to breathe. The number of people who develop the condition has been increasing over the years. In fact, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) estimates that there are more than 12 million people who are diagnosed with the disease in the United States. They also estimated that there are about 12 million who are likely to have the condition but don’t know they have it.

You might have heard about this disease called by other terms, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. In any case, people with COPD have difficulty breathing. Their airways, composed of tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs, are blocked making it hard to breathe.

Risks

Many people who have emphysema or chronic bronchitis don’t know they have it during its early stages. Some people are more likely to develop the disease because they have risk factors for it. Risk factors may include:

Smoking—It is the most common cause of COPD.
Long-term exposure to environmental pollutants, such as chemicals, dusts, or fumes in the workplace.
Long-term exposure to second-hand smoke may also contribute to the development of the condition.
Genetic factors. People with specific faulty genes develop COPD even if they have never smoked or were not exposed to pollutants.

Symptoms

Symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may include:

Constant coughing, also called “smoker’s cough”
Shortness of breath (SOB) while doing activities you used to be able to do
Excess sputum production
Feeling like you can’t breathe
Not being able to take a deep breath
Wheezing

Remember that the condition is a long-term disease. It gets worse over time. It is important that you report any symptoms to your healthcare provider. Also, experts recommend that people at risk for COPD who have cough, sputum or shortness of breath, should get tested for the disease.

Source: National Lung Heart and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/campaign-materials/html/copd-atrisk.htm

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

2010-04-09T22:52:00.001+08:00

Pertussis or commonly known as whooping cough is a very contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by the bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. Pertussis is one of the most commonly occurring vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The bacteria causing pertussis can be spread through coughing or sneezing while in close contact with others. Infants can get the disease from older siblings or parents who might not even know they have got the infection.

The condition can be serious in children and adults. Commonly, pertussis starts like the common cold causing symptoms, such as runny nose or congestion, sneezing and sometimes, mild cough or fever.

After 1 to 2 weeks, severe coughing begins. People with the disease cough violently and rapidly repeatedly making air to be depleted from their lungs and they're forced to inhale with a loud "whooping" sound.

Pertussis can be worse in infants. In fact, more than half of infants less than 1 year of age who develop the disease must be hospitalized. Sometimes, the condition could get worse and cause convulsions and pneumonia (lung infection). Although rare, pertussis can lead to the development of encephalopathy—a brain disorder—and death.

Pertussis Prevention

The best way to prevent pertussis is by getting vaccinated. There is a routine vaccination program for prevention of pertussis and other vaccine-preventable diseases as well. Older children and adults may get the disease because the vaccine can fade over time. They may need to be re-vaccinated.

It is important to know that although pertussis vaccines are effective, they are not 100% effective. Because it is very contagious, even a fully vaccinated person can catch it especially if the disease is circulating in the community.

Covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze can help prevent the spread of the disease. Also, maintaining good hygiene like washing your hands regularly may help the spread of the germs.

For more information about pertussis vaccination, please visit the CDC web site at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

2010-04-09T01:59:00.001+08:00

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), also called hyaline membrane disease or neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is a breathing disorder affecting newborns. It is one of the most common lung disorders in premature babies born about 6 weeks or more before their due dates.

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), RDS affects about 10 of every 100 premature babies in the United States. In fact, nearly all infants born before 28 weeks of pregnancy develop RDS.

The condition usually develops in the first 24 hours after birth. In some cases, RDS may be an early phase of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or BPD—another breathing disorder that affects premature babies.

If breathing problems are still present by the time premature infants reach their original due dates, they may be diagnosed with BPD.

Why is RDS common among premature infants?

Respiratory distress syndrome is more common in premature infants because their lungs are not able to make enough surfactant (sur-FAK-tant)—a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs. It helps keep them open so that infants can breathe in air once they're born.

If surfactant is absent, the lungs can collapse (atelectasis) and the infant has to work harder to breathe. This difficulty breathing can cause not enough oxygen reaching the baby’s organs. The lack of oxygen may damage the infant's brain and other organs if prompt treatment is not given.

Most infants who develop RDS show signs of breathing problems and a lack of oxygen at birth or within the first few hours that follow including:

• Rapid, shallow breathing

• Sharp pulling in of the chest below and between the ribs with each breath

• Grunting sounds

• Flaring of the nostrils

• Brief stop in breathing (apnea)

Treatment

Because of recent medical advances, most infants who have the disease and weigh more than 2 pounds (or about 1,000 grams) at birth now survive. However, these babies may need some extra medical care after going home.

Treatment for this respiratory condition may include surfactant replacement therapy and oxygen therapy. Sometimes, babies who have RDS also are put on machines to help them breathe, such as NCPAP or ventilators.

Most babies who having the condition start to get better within 2 to 4 weeks of their births. However, some babies get worse and need more oxygen and/or breathing support from a ventilator.

Complications

Some babies develop complications from the condition or its treatments. Serious complications may include chronic breathing problems, such as asthma and BPD; blindness; blood infection (sepsis); and brain damage.

Source:
National Lung Heart and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Respiratory Failure

2010-04-09T01:17:00.001+08:00

Respiratory failure is a life-threatening condition that means not enough oxygen is passing from the lungs into the blood. Organs of the body, such as the brain and heart need oxygen to work properly. When these organs are deprived of oxygen, it can lead to severe health problems and even death.

Respiratory failure may also occur if the lungs are not able to eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood. Too much of this gas can harm the different organs of the body.

A low body oxygen level and high carbon dioxide level can occur at the same time in respiratory failure.

Several diseases and conditions can cause the respiratory system to fail. Examples include COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and spinal cord injuries. COPD prevents enough air from flowing in and out of the airways. Spinal cord injuries can damage the nerves that control breathing.

Types of Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure can be acute (short term) or chronic (ongoing). Acute respiratory failure can develop quickly, which may require emergency treatment. Chronic respiratory failure develops more slowly and lasts longer.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of respiratory failure may include:

• shortness of breath

• rapid breathing

• air hunger (feeling like you can't breathe in enough air)

Severe cases of respiratory failure can cause bluish color on the skin, lips, and fingernails, usually indicating that tissues are not receiving enough oxygen (cyanosis); confusion; and sleepiness.

Treatment

One of the main goals of treating respiratory failure is to get oxygen into the lungs and other organs and remove carbon dioxide from the body. Another goal is to treat the underlying cause of the condition.

Acute respiratory failure usually is treated in an intensive care unit. Chronic respiratory failure can be treated at home or at a long-term care center.

People who have severe lung diseases may need long-term or ongoing breathing support, such as oxygen therapy or the help of a ventilator (VEN-til-a-tor). A ventilator is a machine that helps you breathe. It blows air—or air with increased amounts of oxygen—into your airways and then your lungs.

Source:
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Breathing Stops During Sleep (Sleep Apnea)

2010-04-09T00:48:00.003+08:00

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person experiences one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while sleeping. It is a common disorder in which breathing stops that can last from a few seconds to minutes. They can occur 5 to 30 times, even more an hour and usually, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound.

Sleep apnea is one of the most common causes of excessive daytime sleepiness. Because the condition is usually chronic (ongoing) disorder, it can result in poor sleep quality that can make a person feel tired during the day.

The hallmark symptom of sleep apnea is excessive sleepiness during the day. Additional symptoms of sleep apnea include restless sleep, loud snoring (with periods of silence followed by gasps), falling asleep during the day, morning headaches, trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes, anxiety, and depression.

Most people with sleep apnea never notice they have it because it occurs during sleep. Often, doctors can not detect the condition and there are no blood tests for it.

Although loud snoring is common in people who have sleep apnea, not everyone who snores have the condition.

Types of Sleep Apnea

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. This means that the airway has collapsed or is being blocked during sleep. The blockage may cause shallow breathing or breathing pauses. This can also cause loud snoring during sleep as air squeezes past the blockage.

Although obstructive sleep apnea can occur in anyone, the condition commonly affects people who are overweight or obese.

The other type of sleep apnea is central sleep apnea. It is a less common type that occurs when the area of the brain controlling breathing incorrectly send signals to the breathing muscles causing pauses in breathing for brief periods.

Central sleep apnea often occurs with the more common obstructive sleep apnea. However, the condition can also occur alone. Snoring does not usually happen with central sleep apnea.

Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Undetected and untreated sleep apnea can increase a person’s risk of accidents and certain health problems. It can:

• increase the risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and diabetes

• increase the risk for or worsen heart failure

• make irregular heartbeats more likely

• increase the chance of having work-related or driving accidents because of being drowsy or sleepy for having poor sleep quality

Treatment

Treatment options for sleep apnea may include lifestyle changes, losing weight, mouthpieces, surgery, and/or breathing devices.

Sources:
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
National Library of Medicine (NLM): MedlinePlus
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Pneumonia in Children

2010-04-02T21:38:00.001+08:00

Pneumonia is an infection that occurs in the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness in people of all ages. The condition is sometimes thought as a disease that affects only the older population. Fact is it can cause infection at any age. Pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, pneumonia claim the lives of more than 4 million people worldwide. About 2 million of these deaths occur in children below 5 years of age.

Children are susceptible to pneumonia because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. In addition, people of younger age have not been exposed to as many microorganisms as adults.

Causes of Pneumonia

Pneumonia can be caused by several types of germs including viruses, bacteria, and sometimes fungi. These germs can enter the nose and mouth and can spread to the lungs causing infection. People can catch the bacteria or viruses from people who are infected with them, whether they are sick or not.

Pneumonia Symptoms

Symptoms of pneumonia may be mild or severe, but the most common signs include:

• coughing

• fever

• fatigue

• chills

• nausea

• vomiting

• rapid breathing or shortness of breath

• chest pain

Pneumonia Treatment

Once a child is diagnosed with pneumonia, he or she may need to drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest. Severe cases caused by bacteria may need antibiotics to kill the invading germs. However, if viruses are found to cause the condition, antiviral drugs are the appropriate choices of drugs and not antibiotics.

Pneumonia Prevention

Pneumonia can be prevented through vaccination. Also, practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly and cleaning surfaces that are touched often can help prevent the development of respiratory infections.

Source:
Pneumonia Can be Prevented (December 2009). Retrieved on April 2, 2010, from http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Pneumonia/.

Bronchitis

2010-03-31T22:24:00.001+08:00

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is the medical term for the inflammation of the bronchi or bronchial tubes—the tubes where air passes to reach the lungs. It is a common airway disease affecting millions of people worldwide.

People with bronchitis often have cough that brings up yellow or greenish mucus. Mucus is a slimy substance produced by the lining of the bronchial tubes. In addition, people with the condition may experience chest pain or discomfort, low-grade fever, shortness of breath, and wheezing (a whistling sound when a person breathes).

Types of Bronchitis

There are two main types of bronchitis: the acute (short-term) bronchitis and the chronic (long-term or ongoing) bronchitis.

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis can be caused by infections or other factors that irritate the lungs. As the name implies, acute bronchitis lasts from a few days to 10 days. The cough that occurs with it, however, may last more than a week after the infection is gone.

The most common cause of acute bronchitis is the same viruses that cause colds and flu. Being exposed to lung irritants, such as tobacco smoke, air pollution, dusts, vapors and fumes raises a person’s risk of developing the condition.

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis occurs when the lining of the bronchial tubes is permanently irritated and inflamed. It is a serious, ongoing condition.

For bronchitis to be classified as “chronic”, a person should have cough with mucus on most days for at least 3 months a year for 2 consecutive years (without another apparent reason).

The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Sometimes, repeatedly breathing in air pollution or dusts from the environment or the workplace, over time may lead to chronic bronchitis.

Bacteria and viruses that enter the airways can easily infect the irritated bronchial tubes. Once infected, it can worsen or make the condition last longer.

How is bronchitis diagnosed?

To diagnose bronchitis, your doctor will likely base it on your signs and symptoms. He or she might also ask about your medical history and the environment where you live or work. It is also important to let your health care provider know whether you smoke or spend time around others who smoke.

Your doctor may also perform additional tests to help with the diagnosis.

Bronchitis Treatments

Treatment for acute bronchitis may include rest, fluids, aspirin (for adults) or acetaminophen to treat fever, and avoiding lung irritants. You doctor may prescribe medicines to open your airways, help clear away mucus, and help you stay as healthy as possible.

When bacterial infection is the cause of the condition, your doctor would likely prescribe antibiotics. However, most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by viruses, which can be treated with antiviral medications.

Treatment for chronic bronchitis may include medicines like bronchodilators or steroids to open your airways and help clear away mucus. Sometimes oxygen therapy can help people with chronic bronchitis breathe better and get enough oxygen to their bodies. It is, however, important to know that chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that can keep coming back or never goes away completely.

One of the best ways to treat or manage acute and chronic bronchitis is to remove the source of irritation and damage to the lungs.

Sources:
Bronchitis (March 2010). Retrieved on March 31, 2010, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bronchitis.html.

Bronchitis (September 2008). Retrieved on March 31, 2010, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/brnchi/brnchi_whatis.html.

What is Asthma?

2010-03-31T14:00:00.000+08:00

Asthma (AZ-ma, asma) is a lung disease wherein the airways become inflamed and narrowed, which can cause difficulty of breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breathing and coughing. It can affect people of any age. However, asthma commonly starts in childhood.

The airways are composed of tubes that carry air in out of the lungs. If a person has asthma, his or her airways become sore and swollen. The airways get narrower causing the lungs to receive less air and causing symptoms.

Many people around the world suffer from asthma. In the United States alone, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), there are more than 22 million people who are known to have asthma. It is estimated that about 6 million of Americans who have asthma are children.

Unfortunately, the cure for asthma has not been found. However, with today’s knowledge and treatment options, most cases of asthma can be managed effectively. In addition, people with the condition can live normal lives.

I I Who Is At Risk For Asthma? >>>

Who Is At Risk For Asthma?

2010-03-31T13:27:00.000+08:00

Although asthma can occur at any age, it commonly starts during childhood. Children at risk for developing asthma may include:

• Having allergies

• Having eczema—an allergic skin condition

• Having parents who have asthma

• Exposure to certain chemical irritants

• Living in an area with high pollution

Children having frequent episodes of wheezing with respiratory infections including having some of the risk factors listed are at the highest risk of developing asthma that continues beyond 6 years of age.

In children, more boys have asthma than girls. In the adult population, however, it is different. More women have the disease than men. Experts are still unsure whether or how gender and sex hormones play a role in causing asthma.

Some adults exposed to certain chemicals and industrial dusts in the workplace may develop the condition. This is called occupational asthma.

<<< What is Asthma? I I Causes >>>

What Causes Asthma?

2010-03-31T13:26:00.000+08:00

Experts are not really sure what causes asthma. Researchers believe that it can be due to a combination of factors, such as genetic and certain environmental factors. These factors then interact to cause asthma to develop. In most cases, the condition develops early in life. Such factors include:

• An inherited tendency to develop allergies, called atopy (AT-o-pe)

• Parents who have asthma

• Certain respiratory infections during childhood

• Contact with some airborne allergens or exposure to some viral infections in infancy or in early childhood when the immune system is developing

If asthma or atopy runs in your family, exposure to airborne allergens (for example, house dust mites, cockroaches, and possibly cat or dog dander) and irritants (for example, tobacco smoke) may make your airways more reactive to substances in the air you breathe. (NHLBI, 2008)

<<< Risk Factors I I Symptoms >>>

Asthma Symptoms That You Should Know About

2010-03-31T13:25:00.000+08:00

Common asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing (a whistling sound when a person breathes), tightness in the chest and shortness of breath. When the airways become obstructed because of too much narrowing of the tubes, air cannot enter the lungs leading to less oxygen getting to the vital organs. When this happens, loss of consciousness may occur.

Some people may not experience all of these symptoms. Also, the severity of symptoms may vary. Sometimes the symptoms may be mild causing little discomfort and sometimes it can be severe that it can threaten a person’s life.

In any case, it is important to treat the symptoms immediately so that it will not become severe.

<<< Causes I I Causes of Asthma Symptoms >>>

Causes of Asthma Symptoms

2010-03-31T12:00:00.000+08:00

There are several things that can bring about or worsen asthma symptoms. A healthcare professional can help you find which “triggers” may cause your asthma to flare up when you come in contact with them. Common asthma triggers that can cause symptoms may include:

• Allergens such as those found in dust, animal fur, cockroaches, mold, and pollens from trees, grasses, and flowers

• Irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemicals or dust in the workplace, compounds in home décor products, and sprays (such as hairspray)

• Certain medicines such as aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nonselective beta-blockers

• Sulfites found in foods and drinks

• Viral upper respiratory infections such as colds

• Exercise (physical activity)

Asthma may be different from person to person. What triggers you may not affect others. In some people, the cause of asthma symptoms may not be included in the list. It is important to talk to your health care provider about the things that seem to trigger or make your asthma worse.

<<< Symptoms I I Asthma Treatment >>>

Asthma Treatment Options

2010-03-31T11:30:00.000+08:00

Unfortunately, experts have not found a cure for asthma. However, medications are available to treat symptoms and prevent symptoms for occurring.

Asthma is treated with two kinds of medicines: quick-relief medicines and long-term control medicines.

Quick-relief, also called "rescue," medicines relieve asthma symptoms that may flare up. These medicines can act immediately to relax tight muscles around the airways during a flareup. This allows the airways to open up so air can flow through them.

Long-term control medicines, on the other hand, help reduce airway swelling or inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms. It is important to know that long-term control asthma medicines do not give quick relief from symptoms

Some asthma medications can be taken in the pill form, but most are taken using a device called an inhaler. With the use of the inhaler, the medicine can go directly to your lungs.

Your doctor will determine what medications and at what dose best works for you to control or prevent symptoms.

In addition, you should avoid “asthma triggers” that can set off or worsen your asthma symptoms. For example, if air pollution makes you asthma worse, try limiting time outdoors. Wearing a face mask when you need to go outdoors may help.

<<< Causes of Asthma Symptoms I I