Health Care – Dealing with Asthma
Posted on | October 5, 2009 | 3 Comments
In fact, asthma can be deadly, if not managed well – yet most asthmatics don’t manage their asthma. They wait till an attack starts before doing anything – which is wrong. It is far better to avoid attacks than treat them when they come on. Proper treatment can prevent attacks, so you can live a normal life.
Sometimes, childhood asthma may disappear for years but return as “adult onset” asthma. Women are more at risk, hormones have something to do with this. Once puberty hits, females have a higher risk of being affected and some pregnant women also see their asthma worsen. There are also cases of women developing asthma after they start hormone replacement theraphy (HRT). So hormones do play a part in triggering asthma.
No one knows the cause of asthma, but doctors know that the lining inside an asthmatic’s lungs are almost always inflamed and very sensitive. In a normal lung, the muscles in the bronchial tube (air tube) are relaxed and open. But in asthmatics, exposure to trigger inflames the air tubes till they narrow or become blocked. Sometimes, excessive mucous blocks the tubes even further.
This causes an asthma episode. The patient gets short of breath and wheezes, particularly while exhaling. The next stage is when wheezing gets worse and they may also cough, sweat and pant, and their lips and nails can turn pale or blue from the lack of air. If the air tubes are blocked and they stop breathing, they need immediate medical help.
Airways Asthma
The best way to prevent these attacks is to keep asthma under control with proper medical care. Yet recent studies show that many sufferers – and their doctors – tend to act only when an attack occurs.
Only one in seven asthmatics gets proper medical care. The Asthma Insights and Reality in Asia – Pacific (AIRIAP) 2002 study did a check on 400 Southeast Asian patients and found that three quarters of the people surveyed believed that only symptoms of asthma could be treated – which is wrong.
Patients need long – term preventive medicine. Most people are not seeking this and hence are suffering unnecessarily by relying only on short – term, quick – relief medication. Some fear a dependency on medicine or are worried about costs. But preventive treatment is a win – win situation – you don’t miss work. In the long run, you spend less.
The aim is to treat your asthma to the point where there are no recurrent symptoms. Find a doctor whom you can trust. Agree on a treatment plan for lifetime control of your asthma.
Your plan should include simple written instructions on how to take your daily preventive medication, the dosage and frequency. Plus what to do in an emergency.
The Triggers.
Asthma episodes are often triggered by a stimulus. Common ones are:
>> Infections. Lung infections, like the common cold and flu, can trigger asthma attacks. They’re mostly produced by viruses, so they’re unavoidable.
>> Irritants. Second – hand tobacco smoke is a major trigger. Air pollution, such as the haze, spray paint fumes and strong odours are also potential triggers.
>> Allergens. Asthmatics are very sensitive to certain subtances called allergens. Common allergens include house dust and dust mites, animals and pets, feathers, mould and some foods – although food allergies are less common. If house dust is a trigger, wash bed linen in hot water and avoid dusting and vacuuming. Get your husband to do the cleaning while you get out of the house and wait three to four hours before entering a room that has been vacuumed. It may also be worth buying a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter as it gets rid of more dust particles.
>> Medication And Chemicals. Certain over – the – counter aspirin – class drugs and pain relievers can trigger attacks. Beta – blockers for high blood pressure or glaucoma should also not be used. Some adults are sensitive to food additives and preservatives, but milk and dairy products are rarely triggers. Food rarely triggers asthma.
>> Exercise. Some asthmatics get “exercise – induced” symptoms after any strenuous activity. But reliever medicines used before exercise prevent this. Doctors stress it is a myth that asthmatics cannot exercise.
>> Emotions. Emotions are seldom the root cause – but they can add to the stress. A patient may suffer from severe anxiety as a result of an attack. This may affect her ability to cope and lead to rapid breathing, which can further trigger the asthma.
Warning Signs.
The most common warning signs of an impending asthma attack include a need for more reliever medication, a tickly cough, an itchy sensation on the skin or in the nose, nausea or vomiting, light – headedness, worsening of your usual symptoms and disturbed sleep.
Typical symptoms of a severe asthma attack include:
> Shortness of breath
> Wheezing and gasping
> Chest feels uncomfortably tight
> Coughing
> Excess spit or mucus production
> Excess rapid breathing
> Sweating
> Exhaustion
> Pale lips or nails.
If you or your child suffer any of the above, get medical help immediately. The good news is that the right medication coupled with proper nutrition, regular exercise and an allergen – free environment will help you lead the normal life we all want.
Asthma And Children.
If your kid has asthma:
> Do not be medicine – phobic. Doctor explain that sometimes the child seems so healthy, parents stop giving medication. But it’s the medicine that reduces attacks. So if your child’s asthma has improved, work with the doctor to slowly wean your child off medication.
> Wet mop. Keep the house, in particular the bedroom, dust – free by wet mopping, rather than sweeping.
> Wash bedding in hot water. Every week, wash bedding in hot water (54 C is ideal). If you have a dryer, dry bedding for a full 30 minutes – heat, not water, kills dust mites.
> Freeze soft toys. New research from The Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, finds that freezing stuffed toys for three to five hours per week kills dust mites.
> Invest in an air purifier. Air purifiers filter out airborne bacteria, viruses and mould spores. The result: Less asthma symptoms and better sleep.
Baby Warning.
Some pregnant asthmatics cut down on medication fearing it may affect the baby. But that makes the mother more prone to attacks and can lead to a lack of oxygen for the foetus. Asthma medication is extremely safe. As for breastfeeding, studies show breastfeeding can lower asthma risk in kids by up to 30 percent.”
Power Puffer.
Relievers. These help relax the muscles around the airway, rapidly relieving obstruction to airflow. They are used when an asthmatic suffers symptoms or having an attack. Although they help make breathing easier and provide quick relief, they do not treat the underlying disease. They come in both inhaler and oral forms.
Preventers. Preventer medications reduce swelling of the airway lining and reduce production of mucus. Taken daily as prescribed, they don’t provide immediate relief but aim to treat the disease. They come in both inhaler and oral forms.
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October 6th, 2009 @ 08:35
Good article. At under 12 years old, my brother got asthma, at that time, he learn to swim and after 1 year, he did not have asthma.
October 18th, 2009 @ 22:02
my sister is also suffering from Asthma and she is using Inhaled glucocorticoids to relieve the symptoms.
April 29th, 2010 @ 07:45
i have been suffering from Asthma ever since i was little kid. i can only manage it by taking medicines and some food supplements. ~