Asthma

Medical Author: Alan Szeftel, MD, FCCP
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• Myths, facts, and statistics about asthma
• What is asthma?
• From the past to the present
• The scope of the problem
• Normal bronchial tubes
• How does asthma affect breathing?
• The importance of inflammation
• Which triggers cause an asthma attack?
  • Allergens
  • Irritants
• The many faces of asthma - "Expected"
  • Types: allergic (extrinsic) and nonallergic (intrinsic) asthma
  • Typical symptoms and signs of asthma
  • Acute asthma attack
• What medications are used in the treatment of asthma?
• Asthma At A Glance
• Related Asthma articles:
  Asthma symptoms - on WebMD
  Asthma - on eMedicineHealth

What do each of these individuals have in common: First, an 18-year-old suddenly develops wheezing and shortness of breath when visiting his grandmother who happens to have a cat. Second, a 30-year-old woman has colds that "always go into her chest," causing coughing and difficulty breathing. Lastly, a 60-year-old man develops shortness of breath with only slight exertion even though he has never smoked. The answer is that they all have asthma. These are some of the many faces of asthma.

Most researchers believe that the different patterns of asthma are all related to one condition. But some researchers feel that separate forms of lung conditions exist. There is currently no cure for asthma and no single exact cause has been identified. Therefore, understanding the changes that occur in asthma, how it makes you feel, and how it can behave over time is vital. This knowledge can empower persons with asthma to take an active role in your own health.

Exercise Preventing Asthma? Medical Author: Alan Szeftel, MD, FCCP Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR On many occasions, patients have asked me whether exercise will help prevent asthma. This issue is receiving more attention in light of the global increase in the prevalence and severity of asthma and the ongoing efforts to explain this phenomenon. Could a change in lifestyle somehow be responsible for this trend in asthma? Scientists who work in this area have pointed out several childhood developmental and lifestyle differences during the past 40 years. Let us go back in our minds to the 1960s. It is late afternoon and school is out. Little Johnny and Jane come racing through the back door to find mom greeting them with a glass of milk and a sandwich or an apple. The kids eat their snack and are soon in the neighborhood yard with their friends, playing ball or climbing trees. Now, let us fast forward to the 21st century, where Jason and Jessica let themselves in the house because their parents are not home from work yet. They drop their backpacks on the floor, walk straight to the kitchen, and grab cookies or a bag of potato chips and a soda. They then collapse on the couch, switch on the TV, and vegetate. They may remain there until bedtime, fitting in homework during the commercials. If their favorite programs are not on, some kids settle in front of the computer, surfing the Internet, or playing video games. Learn how obesity may be an asthma risk factor » Top Searched Asthma Terms: treatment, attack, signs and symptoms, facts, children, triggers, management, statistics, wheezing, medication, different types, prevention, prednisone, allergy, inhaler, exercise-induced asthma, pregnancy, causes

Myths, facts, and statistics about asthma

Before we present the typical symptoms of asthma, we should dispel some common myths about this condition. This is best achieved by conducting a short true or false quiz.

1. T or F Asthma is "all in the mind."
2. T or F You will "grow out of it."
3. T or F Asthma can be cured, so it is not serious and nobody dies from it.
4. T or F You are likely to develop asthma if someone in your family has it.
5. T or F You can "catch" asthma from someone else who has it.
6. T or F Moving to a different location, such as the desert, can cure asthma.
7. T or F People with asthma should not exercise.
8. T or F Asthma does not require medical treatment.
9. T or F Medications used to treat asthma are habit-forming.
10. T or F Someone with asthma can provoke episodes anytime they want in order to get attention.

Here are the answers:

1. F - Asthma is not a psychological condition. However, emotional triggers can cause flare-ups.
2. F - You cannot outgrow asthma. In about 50% of children with asthma, the condition may become inactive in the teenage years. The symptoms, however, may reoccur at any time in adulthood.
3. F - There is no cure for asthma, but the disease can be controlled in most patients with good medical care. The condition should be taken seriously, since uncontrolled asthma may result in emergency hospitalization and possible death.
4. T - You have a 6% chance of having asthma if neither parent has the condition; a 30% chance if one parent has it; and a 70% chance if both parents have it.
5. F - Asthma is not contagious.
6. F - A new environment may temporarily improve asthma symptoms, but it will not cure asthma. After a few years in the new location, many people become sensitized to the new environment and the asthma symptoms return with the same or even greater intensity than before.
7. F - Swimming is an optimal exercise for those with asthma. On the other hand, exercising in dry, cold air may be a trigger for asthma in some people.
8. F - Asthma is best controlled by having an asthma management plan designed by your doctor that includes the medications used for quick relief and those used as controllers.
9. F - Asthma medications are not addictive.
10. F - Asthma attacks cannot be faked.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

albuterol, Ventolin, Proventil - Specifies the medication albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil) a drug used in the relief and prevention of airway obstruction (bronchospasm) in patients with asthma and in patients with exercise-induced asthma. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects. Source:MedicineNet theophylline, Theo-Dur, Respbid, Slo-Bid, Theo-24, Theolair, Uniphyl, Slo-Phyllin - Source:MedicineNet Chest X-ray - A chest x-ray is a radiology test that involves exposing the chest briefly to radiation to produce an image of the chest and the internal organs of the chest. chest x-ray can be used to define abnormalities of the lungs such as excessive fluid, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, cysts, and cancers. Source:MedicineNet Read 663 more Asthma related articles ... FDA Checks Into Singulair Suicide Risk 100 Worst Spring Allergy Cities Dust Mites: Is Resistance Futile? Free Asthma Screenings Offered in May New Ways to Fight Nut, Milk Allergies Obesity May Worsen Impact of Asthma Report: Polluted Air Puts Millions at Risk Health Woes Not Always to Blame for Chronic Cough Tree-Lined Streets Associated With Lower Childhood Asthma Rates Oral Allergy Immunotherapy Helps Control Asthma