Asthma can be controlled, but there's no asthma cure. There are certain
goals in asthma treatment. If you are unable to achieve all of these goals, it
means asthma is not in good control. You should contact your asthma care
provider for help with asthma.
The treatment goals include the following:
Live an active, normal life.
Prevent chronic and troublesome symptoms.
Attend work or school every day.
Perform daily activities without difficulty.
Stop urgent visits to the doctor, emergency room, or hospital.
Use and adjust medications to control asthma with little or no side
effects.
Properly using asthma medication, as prescribed by your doctor, is the basis
of good asthma control, in addition to avoiding triggers and monitoring daily
asthma symptoms. There are two main types of asthma medications:
Anti-inflammatories: This is the most important type of medication
for most people with asthma. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as inhaled
steroids, reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. As a
result, airways are less sensitive and less likely to react to triggers. These
medications need to be taken daily, and may need to be taken for several weeks
before they begin to control asthma. Anti-inflammatories lead to a reduction in
symptoms, better airflow, less sensitive airways, less airway damage, and fewer
asthma episodes. If taken every day, they are helpful in controlling or
preventing asthma.
Bronchodilators: These medications relax the muscle bands that
tighten around the airways. This action rapidly opens the airways, letting more
air in and out of the lungs and improving breathing. Bronchodilators also help
clear mucus from the lungs. As the airways open, the mucus moves more freely
and can be coughed out more easily. In short-acting forms, bronchodilators
relieve or stop asthma symptoms and are very helpful during an asthma episode.
In long-acting forms, bronchodilators provide control of asthma symptoms and
prevent asthma episodes.
Asthma medications can be taken by inhaling the medications (using a metered
dose inhaler, dry powder inhaler, or asthma nebulizer) or by swallowing oral
medications (pills or liquids). If you are also taking drugs for other
conditions, you should work with your providers to check drug interactions and
simplify medications when possible.
Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Treatment of chronic cough is dependant upon the cause.
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the “change of life." Menopause symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, weight gain, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings. Treatment of menopausal symptoms varies, and should be discussed with your physician.
Asthma is a common disorder in which
chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi) makes them swell, narrowing the airways. Signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness,
cough and wheezing.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. The flu may be prevented with an annual influenza vaccination.
Obesity is the state of being well above one's normal weight. A person has traditionally been
considered to be obese if they are more than 20 percent over their ideal weight.
That ideal weight must take into account the person's height, age, sex, and
build.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Patients who have infrequent, mild bouts of asthma attacks may use over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat their asthma symptoms. OTC asthma medicines are limited to epinephrine and ephedrine. These OTC drugs are best used with the guidance of a physician, as there may be side effects and the drugs may not be very effective.
Asthma, the main cause of chronic illness in children, has signs and symptoms in children that include frequent coughing spells, low energy while playing, complaints of chest "hurting," wheezing while breathing, shortness of breath, and feelings of tiredness. Treatment will involve a doctor creating an asthma action plan which will describe the use of asthma medications and when to seek emergency care for the child.
There are many unusual symptoms of asthma, including sighing, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, chronic cough, recurrent walking pneumonia, and rapid breathing. These symptoms may vary from individual to individual. These asthma complexities make it difficult to accurately diagnose and treat asthma.
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