Respiratory Conditions - Asthma
What is asthma?
Asthma is a disease in which the airways become narrowed or blocked. Although usually temporary, this causes shortness of breath, breathing trouble and other symptoms. In a severe asthma episode, you may need emergency treatment to restore normal breathing.
More than 17 million Americans have asthma; it is the cause of nearly 500,000 hospital stays each year. Although it can cause serious health problems, in most cases treatment can control it and allow you to live a normal and active life.
What causes an asthma episode?
Things in the environment can trigger an asthma episode, including cold air; some viral infections; exercise; and allergens (things that cause allergies).
When you breathe in, air travels through your nose and mouth through your trachea, or windpipe, and into a series of smaller tubes that branch off from the trachea. These branched tubes are the bronchi, and they divide further into smaller tubes or bronchioles. Asthma mainly affects the bronchi and bronchioles.
Asthma triggers reaching the airways cause inflammation of the tissue inside the bronchi and bronchioles. Simultaneously, the muscles on the outside of the airways tighten up, causing them to narrow. Mucus enters the airways, causing them to become swollen. The breathing passages are narrowed further, and breathing is hindered.
What are some asthma triggers?
If you have asthma, know what triggers worsen your asthma. These vary from person to person, but some of the more common ones are:
- Allergens – For many with asthma, the same substances that bring on allergy symptoms can trigger an asthma episode. These allergens may be things you inhale, such as pollen or dust, or things you eat, like shellfish. To prevent asthma symptoms, limit your exposure to known allergens.
- Tobacco smoke – Smoking is also a risk factor for asthma in children, and a common trigger of asthma symptoms for all ages. Don’t smoke, and avoid second-hand smoke from others’ cigarettes.
- Exercise – Exercise, especially in cold air, is a frequent asthma trigger. Symptoms may not appear until after several minutes of sustained exercise. Even holding your breath, laughing, crying or hyperventilating (rapid, shallow breathing) can trigger an asthma episode.
Other triggers are wind, rain, cold air, or sudden weather changes. Medications like aspirin can be triggers if you are sensitive to them. Irritants in the environment – smog, aerosol sprays, perfumes, paint fumes – are also problematic for asthmatics.
How is asthma treated?
Treatment must be tailored to the individual. First, remove environmental triggers, as much as possible. Asthma medications are also available in pill or inhaler form, for quick relief and long-term control.
Quick-relief medications control the immediate symptoms in an asthma episode. Long-term control medications do not give immediate relief but lessen the frequency and severity of episodes over time.
Check with your physician about side effects of medications you are prescribed, and what warning signs should prompt you to contact him or her.
Mercy’s pulmonary rehabilitation specialists can help you learn to manage your asthma through a personalized action plan.
Call Mercy’s Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at 319-398-6651 to see if pulmonary rehabilitation can help you, beginning now. All our programs are offered at Mercy Health Plaza, 5264 Council Street NE.
For more information from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, click here www.aafa.org.
For more information from the American Lung Association, click here www.lungusa.org.
