Understanding Asthma

January 15, 2012 by Jemmy.

Tags: understanding asthma, what is asthma, symptoms of asthma, asthma attacks, asthma causes, asthma triggers, asthma drugs, asthma medications, montelukast.us.

Asthmatic bronchiole
Asthmatic bronchiole

Understanding asthma is the first step to learn about asthma, what causes asthma, and basic facts you need to know. An estimated 23 million of Americans have asthma, including 7 million children. Learning the basics will help you exploring asthma treatment options and living better with asthma. There are many ways you can bring relief to yourself and your child.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a common lung disease when a person has breathing problems. When you have asthma, there is the inflammation or swelling in the airways of your lungs. It will make breathing more difficult. When asthma symptoms suddenly become worse, it called an asthma attack. Common symptoms of asthma include:

• Coughing, especially at night
• Chest pain
• Wheezing
• Short of breath

What Causes Asthma?

The exact cause of asthma is not known. But there are more triggers which could lead to asthma symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, tightness of chest, and wheezing. Several asthma drugs are used to help control the asthma and avoid triggers.

• Air pollution
• Allergens from indoor – dust mites, molds
• Allergens from outdoor – pollens
• Allergies – most people develop asthma because they have allergies
• Dust mites
• Chemicals
• Emotions or stress
• Exercise
• Food – certain food including fish, egg, nets and soy
• Genetic – sometimes it run in families
• Infections
• Medications – especially pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and beta blockers
• Pets
• Smoke
• Weather

Did You Know?

• Asthma is a chronic or lifelong disease – it can be serious or life threatening if poorly controlled
• Asthma is common – it can affects people at all ages, now asthma is on the rise affecting mostly children
• Asthma is NOT the same for everyone – asthma symptoms are different for everyone; you need to take the right medicine in the right situation

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