ASTHMA Asthma is a disease affecting the airways that carry air to the lungs. People who suffer from chronic condition are said to be asthmatic. During asthma, - The muscles around your airways tighten up, narrowing the airway. - Less air is able to flow through the airways. - Inflammation of the airways increases, further narrowing the airways. - More mucus is prduced in the airways, undermining the flow of air even more. CAUSES Asthma may result from sensitivity to extrinsic or intrinsic allergens. Extrinsic, or atopic, asthma begins in childhood; typically, patients are sensitive to specific external allergens. Many patients with asthma, especially children, have both intrinsic and extrinsic asthma. EXTRINSIC ALLERGENS - Pollen - Animal dander - House dust or mold - feather pillows - Food additives, including sulfites and some dyes - Noxious fumes Patients with intrinsic, or nonatopic, asthma react to internal, nonallergenic factors. INTRINSIC ALLERGENS - Irritants - Emotional stress and anxiety - Fatigue - Endocrine changes - Temperature or humidity variations - Coughing or laughing - Genetic factors SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS - Dyspnea - wheezing - Tightness in the chest - Coughing that produces thick, clear, or yellow sputum - Tachypnea, along with use of accessory respiratory muscles - Rapid pulse - Profuse perspiration - Hyper resonant lung fields - Diminished breath sounds. TREATMENTS AND MANAGMENTS Asthma is an incurable illness. However, with good treatments and managments, there is no reason why a person with asthma cannot live a normal and active life. Such treatments includes; - Low-flow humidified oxygen - Inhaled steroids such as triamcinolone acetonide - Leukotriene inhibitors such as montelukast sodium - Long-acting bronchodilators such as formoterol - Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn sodium or nedocromil sodium - Aminophylline or theophylline - Short-acting bronchodilators, such as albuterol or levalbuterol - Oral or I.V. corticosteroids - Mechanical ventilation - Relaxation exercises. - Inhaling fresh onion.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 02:24:35 +0000
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