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Asthma
Information
Asthma can be life
threatening! Always take your symptoms seriously and listen to your
doctor!!
Symptoms
The main symptoms
of asthma
are:
Long
lasting cough
--especially
at night or after
exercise.
Shortness
of
breath
Tightness
in the
chest
Wheezing
Some
people may have only one or two of these symptoms while others may have
all of them.
Treatment
can and does reverse the symptoms. Even mild symptoms should be treated so
that lung damage does not occur and/or the symptoms get worse.
Causes of Attacks (Episodes)
Even
though it is more commonly called "asthma", "reactive airway disease" is
an appropriate name. When you have it your airways react to things in your
environment. They do so by forming mucus plugs and swelling. The muscles
around them also react and tighten causing the airway to be squeezed.
Different people may react to different
triggers.
Some of the
common triggers are:
- Infections of the upper respiratory
system (including colds, the flu, and sinus infections)
- Exercise--some people need to take
medication before, during or after exercising
- Smoke -- can include cigarette and
wood smoke
- Strong odors --paint, cooking
smells, cleaning products, hair spray, cosmetics, perfumes,
etc...
- Dust mites -- Yikes! Dust with a
cloth which is damp or has been sprayed so the dust is not stirred
up
- Pollen, molds, and mildew --
basically allergies to these
- Dander from warm blooded animals --
flakes from their skin, fur or feathers
- Strong feelings --- stress, crying,
laughing, fear, etc...
- Weather changes
- Cockroaches ---Yuck Yuck Yuck! --If
you have a roach problem you are trying to control, check and make sure
rodents are not nesting in or around your home as they hoard food and no
matter how clean you are the roaches will stay because of the food
hidden there.
Some
of these can be avoided. Some can't. You can learn what triggers start or
increase your symptoms and have a plan of action for avoiding them if and
when possible. Work with your doctor to find a medication plan that is
right for you and what to do when symptoms worsen. Know your body and if
your medications are not working as well as you believe they should,
consult your doctor before an emergency arises.
Treatments
You will
probably be given a "peak flow meter" to help you keep track of how well
your lungs are functioning and how much the medication is actually helping
relieve symptoms. Sometimes medication is used on a daily basis but many
times it is only prescribed for an "as needed"
treatment.
There
are two main types of medications used in treating asthma. There are
different ways of administering them though.
- Anti-inflammatories --- Theses reduce
and sometimes prevent the swelling that causes symptoms. These are
prescribed for use every day. Corticosteroids and cromolyn sodium are
included here.
- Bronchodilators --- These relax the
muscles that tighten around the airways. These may be prescribed for use
only when symptoms are increased or for every day use.
Asthma
medications are safe when taken as directed. They are non addictive. As
with any medication you must pay attention to your doctor or pharmacists
instructions regarding their use and interactions with other products.
They rarely become ineffectual and if they do your doctor can help you
find a more suitable medication. Corticosteroids are different from the
anabolic steroids taken illegally by some people to help build muscle
mass, and in the meanwhile damaging their brain.
Managing an Attack (Episode)
- Know your warning signs! Treatment
needs to be started before you are in a danger zone.
- Take the correct amount of
medication. Follow your plan to help prevent attacks.
- If you know what is triggering it,
get away if possible! Medication works better when you are not close to
your trigger.
- Keep calm! Everyone else needs to
as well.
Anxiety/Fear=Stress=Increased symptoms.
- Rest
- Watch yourself and pay attention to
your body signs to help see if treatment is working
- Watch for these emergency
signs:
- Your symptoms get worse or do not
improve after the medications should be working. Your doctor can tell
you how long you should wait.
- Your peak flow meter numbers go
down or do not improve within the same time frame.
- Your peak flow numbers go below 50%
of your personal best. Or what ever number your doctor tells you is a
danger zone.
- Your breathing gets difficult. Your
chest and neck get pulled in with each breath, you are hunching over, or
you are struggling to breathe.
- Your lips or fingernails turn gray
or blue ---- THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!!! GO TO THE CLOSEST ER OR DIAL
911!!!!!!!!
- Keep your information handy for
seeking emergency help --phone #s, insurance card, medication schedule,
etc...
- Call someone to help if needed ---
A family member, neighbor, friend, clinic, doctor, hospital, etc...
---
- Drink a lot of water--drink normal
amounts.
- Breathe warm moist air from the
shower.
- Re breathe air that has been
exhaled into a paper bag.
- Use other over the counter
medications without consulting your doctor.
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