Asthma is a disease that affects the air passages in the lungs. People with asthma have supersensitive airways (air tubes). Exposure to “Asthma Attack Triggers” (see below) causes a response in the airways. This response is called an ”attack” or “episode.”
Symptoms
A cough that lasts more
than a week. Coughing may be the only symptom. It may occur during the night or after
exercising.
Shortness of breath
Breathing gets harder and may hurt. It is
harder to breathe out than in.
Wheezing
Tightness in the chest
Causes
What causes asthma is not known. You are more likely to have asthma if
other members of your family have asthma and/or you have allergies. Asthma is more common
in children who live in houses with pets and/or tobacco smoke. Although asthma is not
caused by emotional problems, strong emotions, whether happy or sad, can bring on an
attack.
Asthma Attack Triggers:
Respiratory infections (colds, flu,
bronchitis, sinus infections)
Breathing an allergen, such as pollen,
dust, mold, and animal dander or an irritant, such as tobacco smoke, air pollution, fumes,
and vapors
Sulfites. These are additives found in wine
and some processed foods.
Cold air and changes in temperature and
humidity
Exercise, especially outdoors in cold air
Some medicines, such as aspirin,
beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors
Showing strong feelings. This includes
laughing and crying.
Treatment
Asthma is too complex to treat with self-care alone. A doctor should diagnose and
treat asthma. He or she may prescribe one or more medicines. Some kinds are taken with an
asthma attack. Other kinds are taken daily (or as prescribed) to help prevent asthma
attacks. Medical treatment includes:
Anti-inflammatories. These drugs help with
the swelling in the airways. They are taken as oral pills or inhaled medicines.
Bronchodilators. These drugs relax the
muscles of the airways and open up the air passages in the lungs.
Leukotriene modifiers to help reduce
chronic inflammation
Peak flow meter to monitor you asthma at
home
Annual flu vaccine
Is it so hard for you to breathe that you can't
talk (say 4 or 5 words between breaths), does your chest feel tight, or are you wheezing
and can't stop? |
 |
| Do you have asthma and use the Peak Flow System and is your peak
expiratory flow rate (PEFR) below 50% of your personal best number? |
|
| Does your asthma attack not respond to home
treatment or prescribed medicine or is your peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) 50 to 80% of
your personal best number? |
 |
| Do you have signs of an infection, such as a fever
and/or a cough with mucus that is green, yellow, or bloody-colored? |
|
| Are your asthma attacks coming more often or
getting worse? |
|
Don't smoke or let others smoke in your
home. Stay away from smoke and air pollution.
Drink plenty of liquids (2 to 3 quarts a
day) to keep secretions loose.
Find out what triggers your asthma, and get
rid of things that bother you at home and at work.
Make a special effort to keep your bedroom
allergen-free.
Sleep with no pillow or the kind your doctor recommends.
Use a plastic or "allergen-free" cover on your mattress and pillow (if you use
one).
Wash mattress pads in hot water every week.
Use throw rugs, not carpeting.
Don't use drapes.
Vacuum and dust often. Wear a dust filter mask when you do. If you can, use a vacuum with
a HEPA filter.
Avoid using perfumes.
Wear a scarf around your mouth and nose
when you are outside in cold weather. Doing so will warm the air as you breathe it in and
will prevent cold air from reaching sensitive airways.
Stop exercising if you start to wheeze.
Don't eat foods or take medicines that have
sulfites. Sulfites are in wine and many shellfish. They bother many people with asthma.
Sit up during an asthma attack. Don't lie
down.
Put an electronic air filter on your
furnace or use portable air purifiers.
Change and/or wash furnace and air
conditioner filters regularly. If you use a portable humidifier or vaporizer, use
distilled water, not tap water. Clean and dry the appliance after each use.
Keep your asthma medicine handy. Take it as
soon as you start to feel an attack.
Some people with asthma are allergic to
aspirin. Use acetaminophen instead.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 2002 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 06/04/02