ASTHAMA

Medical care

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your breathing. If you have asthma, airways can become obstructed, inflamed and irritable. An asthma attack is when asthma symptoms worsen suddenly. Asthma treatments include bronchodilators (which help to open up lung airways) and inhaled steroids (which reduce inflammation) delivered through an inhaler or nebulizer. Self-care at home is part of any asthma action plan.

  

What are the most common symptoms of asthma?

Asthma symptoms are not the same for everyone. They can even change from episode to episode in the same person. Also, you may have only one symptom of asthma, such as cough, but another person may have all the symptoms of asthma. It is important to know all the symptoms of asthma and be aware that asthma can be present in any of these ways at any time.

The most common symptoms include:

Coughing, especially at night

What causes asthma?

The airways in a person with asthma are very sensitive and react to many things, or "triggers." Contact with these triggers causes asthma symptoms. One of the most important parts of asthma control is to identify your triggers and then avoid them when possible. The only trigger you do not want to avoid is exercise. Pre-treatment with medicines before exercise can allow you to stay active yet avoid asthma symptoms. Common asthma triggers include:

Treatment Overview

Emergency treatment

If you have a severe asthma attack (the red zone of your asthma action plan), use medicine based on your action plan and talk with a doctor immediately about what to do next. This is especially important if your peak expiratory flow (PEF) does not return to the green zone or stays within the yellow zone after you take medicine. You may have to go to the hospital or an emergency room for treatment. Be sure to tell the emergency staff if you are pregnant.

At the hospital, you will probably receive inhaled beta2-agonists and corticosteroids. You may be given oxygen therapy. Your lung function and condition will be assessed. Depending on your response, further treatment in the emergency room or a stay in the hospital may be needed.

Some people are at increased risk of death from asthma, such as people who have been admitted to an intensive care unit for asthma or who have needed a breathing tube (intubation) for asthma. These people need to seek medical care early when they have symptoms.

Medical checkups

You need to monitor your asthma and have regular checkups to keep it under control and to ensure correct treatment. Checkups are recommended every 1 to 6 months, depending on how well your asthma is controlled.

During checkups, your doctor will ask whether your symptoms and peak expiratory flow have held steady, improved, or become worse and will ask about asthma attacks during exercise or at night. You track this information in an asthma diary. You may be asked to bring your inhaler and peak expiratory flow meter to an appointment so your doctor can see how you use them.

Shortness of breath

Wheezing

Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

Infections (colds, viruses, flu, sinus infections)

Exercise

Weather (changes in temperature and/or humidity, cold air)

Tobacco consumption

Allergens (dust mites, pollens, pets, mold spores, cockroaches, and sometimes foods)

Irritants (strong odors from cleaning products, perfume, wood smoke, air pollution)

Strong emotions such as crying or laughing hard

Some medications

Prevent symptoms.

Keep your peak flow and lung function as close to normal as possible.

Be able to do your normal daily activities, including work, school, exercise, and recreation.

Prevent asthma attacks.

Have few or no side effects from medicine.