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All of us have heard of asthma and know that it is something to do with difficulty breathing, but unless you have experienced it first hand in yourself or with your child, you have no idea of the terror this condition can bestow. Asthma attacks can be very frightening and there is often panic. Although there are varying degrees of the disease, it can be life threatening. If you or a family member has asthma, prepare an emergency plan ahead of time. If the attacks are usually mild, you may have a routine of medications, such as an inhaler that is kept on the person at all times. For a more serious attack, however, have a plan of action. Talk to your doctor about keeping an injectable bronchodilator in the house. Have emergency call numbers posted by and/or on the phone itself. Talk to all members, even younger members of the family and explain to them about calling 911 for emergencies, like when "Johnny" is having trouble breathing.
Now let's talk about this terrential disease, asthma, in more detail. Asthma is a disease that effects the bronchial tubes. It is a direct result of allergies. Asthma is a very scary thing for any person, especially a young child. The bronchial tubes of people with asthma are very sensitive to substances that they are allergic to. These irritants cause the bronchial tubes to swell. Asthma has exacerbations or "attacks", as most people call them. An asthma attack can occur when someone is exposed to the irritants they are highly allergic to. As of yet, there is no cure for asthma, but doctors are learning more about it. Most persons develop asthma in childhood, but some people develop asthma as adults. It usually gets progressively worse in adults, leading to emphysema. About one in four persons who develop the disease in childhood will have a spontaneous recovery.
The symptoms include: wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness of the chest, the person may turn bluish in color and after have weakness, rapid pulse and even nausea and chest pain. Things that can cause an asthma attack, depending on the person, as different people are allergic to different things, include, but are not limited to:
-certain foods
-certain medicines
-air pollution
-smoke
-molds
-perfumes
-dust
-fumes
-additives and preservatives in certain foods such as wine, salad dressings, beer, dehydrated soups.
-hair spray, spray deoderants
-pollen
other things such as:
-emotional stress
-exercise
-temperature changes
-medications
-sinus and other infections
Treatment and care of asthma is directed toward immediate relief of the attack. Parents of asthmatic children may anticipate an approaching attack and medication that provides sedation and bronchodilation. The control of asthma depends on finding the cause and eliminating it. No smoking for adults who have asthma. There are two kinds of asthma medicines: those that relieve airway constriction and those that reduce swelling and inflammation like steroids. They are usually given via inhalers but pills are used as well. In some cases, studies have shown that coffee, can help relieve an acute asthma attack, supposedly because of the caffiene and heat.
A peak flow meter is an instrument needed by asthmatics. Your doctor can give you one. It is a simple hand held device that is an important part of controlling asthma. It measures the rate of air exhaled from the lungs. You take a deep breath, then blow into it. It records a number. Do it three times. Whatever your best score was, is YOUR peak flow personal best number. Do it everyday for a couple of weeks to make sure you have YOUR personal best right. After you know your best number, let your doctor know. This will help him treat YOUR asthma best.
An asthma attack is very scary, especially for a child. Try to keep them calm and stay with them. If an asthma attack is severe, 911 should be activated and hospitalization is sometimes required. Reducing exposure to allergens and keeping the person calm and limit exposure to drastic temperature changes and avoid foods that the person is allergic to.
Ways to reduce exposure to allergens that can precipitate asthma attacks are:
-Clean carpets
-wash pillowcases and sheets in hot water weekly
-wash your hands regularly to avoid exposure to illness
-remove rugs, carpets and drapes which collect dust
-keep your windows closed
-keep air conditioning on, but make sure your ducts and filters are kept clean
-keep animals outside
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