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Asthma
afflicts millions of Americans. It is a serious and occasionally
fatal disease. Each year about 5,000 people die of asthma
but this is usually a result of undertreatment or poor access to
medical care. Asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing,
chest tightness or shortness of breath. Asthma triggers include
allergies, viral and sinus infections, heartburn (acid reflux),
humidity and temperature variations, smoking, exercise, pollutants,
hormonal (menstrual period or pregnancy), and occasionally,
medications or diet. The ubiquitous
dust mite, which lives in bedding and carpeting is known to
cause asthma. If you are allergic to dust mites, controlling
exposure to this invisible allergen is an integral part of asthma
care. Evaluating and treating sinusitis and acid reflux are
also very important. Since asthma is an inflammatory disease
the mainstay of therapy is anti-inflammatory medication. Fortunately,
there are now a variety of asthma medications that enable most asthmatics
to have an excellent quality of life. Most asthmatics are
able to take inhaled "controller" asthma drugs which target
the lungs and are generally considered safe. Some asthma patients
take oral medications while some require multiple drugs to control
their disease. Asthma is a chronic disease that waxes
and wanes but with proper management is controllable.
Understanding
Asthma:
Asthma
is a disease of the bronchial tubes which transmit air from the
larynx (windpipe) down to the lung. The walls of these tubes
(bronchi) have involuntary, smooth muscles (as opposed to voluntary,
skeletal muscle). When viewed in cross section, these bronchi
look like pipes. Air flowing through normal pipes produces
no abnormal sounds. However air passing through narrowed bronchi
makes unusual wheezing or whistling sounds.
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