Asthma Welcome to the Affordable Drugs asthma information page. Dealing with asthma and the stress of an asthma attack can be very scary. You can begin your asthma education here at our asthma information page. Learn about asthma symptoms, asthma causes and asthma treatments. You can even find the best prices on the medications you need for treating asthma. The information on this page is not intended to replace the professional advice of your physician.
What is Asthma? Asthma is a treatable lung condition caused by chronic bronchi inflammation of the lungs. When an asthma attack occurs the muscle cells in the bronchi constrict, causing the airways to become swollen and inflamed. This makes breathing difficult and sometimes painful.
The bronchial tree begins when the trachea splits into two branches called bronchi. One branch is for the right lung and one for the left lung. The bronchi then branch off into little twigs called bronchioles, which in turn open into sacs called alveoli. There are about 600 million of these little air-filled sacs throughout the lungs. The alveoli are where the body absorbs the oxygen. When the lungs are functioning normally the chest muscles open the ribcage and the diaphragm moves down, pulling air into the lungs. The muscles relax and the air is then exhaled. When an asthma attack occurs the air comes in through the trachea and into the bronchial tree, filling the lungs with air. But something in the air breathed in acts as the trigger and the muscles in the bronchi constrict and trap the air. This immune system response causes the body to overreact by creating an excess of mucus in the lungs, which induces the coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath that characterizes asthma. There are different types of asthma and different triggers.
Allergy induced asthma is triggered by allergens that irritate the bronchial passageways, causing asthma symptoms to occur. Exercise induced asthma, or EIA, is generally caused by exercising in a cold, dry atmosphere. Occupational asthma is typically caused by some irritant in the workplace. There can be many triggers in the workplace, such as chemicals, dust, animal dander, fungi, and wood dust are among the most common. Patients with cough variant asthma, or CVA, have a chronic, non-productive cough. In most cases this is their main or only symptom. Many patients who suffer from asthma also have what is termed nocturnal asthma. These patients frequently wake during the night with asthma symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, or wheezing. Studies have shown that patients who suffer from nocturnal asthma have a 15% decrease of FEV1 (the measuring of breath) during the time they are asleep. Childhood asthma affects children under the age of 18. When dealing with infants it is important to know that there is almost always some inflammation in their lungs present at all times, even if there are no outward symptoms. Some children will grow out of the asthma as they age, some will not. There are other triggers, such as stress, heartburn, food allergies, and smoke, that can cause asthma attacks as well.
It wasn't until the 1050's that asthma was recognized as a chronic physical illness instead of a psychological disorder. The 'talking cures' that doctors had used to this point were replaced with medicinal treatments. Although a small portion of asthmatics die each year, asthma is a very treatable and controllable disease.
Asthma Symptoms While there are typical symptoms of asthma, there are additional symptoms associated with the state of the condition (acute or chronic) and the type of asthma as well as the severity. The typical symptoms of asthma are coughing and wheezing, tightness in the chest, rapid breathing, and shortness of breath. These symptoms can occur in any combination, and some people will rarely experience asthma symptoms.
Chronic asthma symptoms are those typical of asthma and often mild in severity. Wheezing may not be present, and some people do not wheeze at all. Dyspnea, or breathlessness, will not occur at rest. However, chronic asthma symptoms can gradually progress into acute asthma.
With acute asthma, commonly referred to as an asthma attack, the typical symptoms of asthma range from mild to severe. In addition to the typical asthma symptoms, an asthma attack can produce other symptoms. Pulse will be elevated to approximately one hundred beats per minute during a mild asthma attack to one hundred twenty beats per minute in a moderate attack. A severe asthma attack will have a pulse greater than one hundred twenty beats per minute and can lead to bradycardia, a pulse less than sixty beats per minute, and imminent respiratory arrest. With a mild or moderate asthma attack, respiration will be increased, and with a sever asthma attack, respiration can be greater than thirty breaths per minute. During moderate and severe asthma attacks, the respiratory accessory muscles, the sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles found in the neck, will be used and makes inspiration visible with a drawing-in between the ribs and above the clavicles (collar bones) and sternum as well as an overinflation of the chest. With use of the accessory muscles, a paradoxical pulse may occur wherein the pulse is weakest during inhalation and strongest through exhalation. During a severe asthma attack, cyanosis, wherein the patient skin appears blue, may occur as well as chest pain and loss of consciousness.
Additional symptoms of asthma are: unusual fatigue with exercise, especially with exercise-induced asthma; a dry, unproductive cough that can continue for weeks as in cough-variant asthma and others. Also, eye irritation, nasal congestion, sneezing, and nasal/postnasal drip (watery nose) in any combination can be asthma symptoms, typically with allergic asthma and occupational asthma. Finally, while not asthma symptoms, daytime sleepiness and fatigue as well as irritability can be caused by the sleep deprivation of nocturnal asthma.
Asthma Causes
While the exact cause of asthma is unknown, scientists are working on better understanding why some people are afflicted with this disease while other people aren't. They're looking for common traits between people with asthma and for what differs between people with and without asthma. Most experts agree that asthma is caused by some combination of biological, environmental and genetic factors.
People who have asthma are very likely to have family members who also have asthma. This suggests a genetic contribution to the development of asthma. Asthma is more often passed from mother to child than from father to child. Scientists are currently on the searching for the specific genes which might lead to asthma. One particular gene of interest is ADAM33 which regulates an enzyme which affects the smooth muscle tissue in the airway. A mutation in ADAM33 would cause the muscle tissue to not function properly, causing susceptibility to an asthma attack.
People who have a history of sensitivity for developing allergies tend to have an increased chance of having asthma. This increased sensitivity can be caused by many different things, such as being exposed to irritants like dust or smoke and being infected with respiratory diseases as a adult. Allergies cause a hyperactive immune system reaction. This reaction may cause increased sensitivity or hyperactivity in the respiratory system, which can cause asthma problems. However, not all people who have asthma have allergies, and not all people who have allergies suffer from asthma.
In the last few decades, the number of cases of asthma has risen significantly, especially in highly developed areas. This signifies that environmental factors may play an important role in the development of asthma. The increased amount of smog, dirt, and smoke could cause respiratory problems in developing children. There is also a hypothesis that modern society's fixation on sterilization and anti-bacterial cleanliness deprives developing immune systems the opportunity to come in contact with common germs. Without this contact, children do not develop the anti-bodies needed to protect them from daily contaminates, causing them to be unable to fight off common diseases and infections and to be extra sensitive to common particles in the air they breathe.
While experts have found several trends regarding the various causes of asthma, it can still vary greatly from one individual to another. Some people could develop asthma thanks to their parents, while others may have early exposure to irritants and infections to blame. However, despite all the variables, researches have come a long way in discovering the many causes of asthma.
Asthma Attack Asthma causes breathing difficulty, coughing, and chest pain, and the periodic acute worsening of these symptoms is known as an asthma attack. During an asthma attack, the airways, in addition to becoming inflamed and narrowing, will fill with mucus, and treatment must be administered quickly to insure that the sufferer remains able to breathe. The warning signs of an asthma attack include wheezing, tightness in the chest, coughing, difficulty in speaking, and a drop in the peak flow rate. Peak flow refers to how quickly an asthmatic person can blow air out, and is measured with a device known as a peak expiratory flow monitor. The hard data that the monitor provides is invaluable in gauging the steps that should be taken at any given time to control one's asthma. Asthma attacks are treatable, and those with the disease can live a normal life if their symptoms are properly controlled.
While no one is certain about the definitive cause or causes of asthma, we have pinpointed many of the causes of an asthma attack, which are referred to as "triggers." Common triggers include dust, smoking, vigorous exercise, strong emotion, and certain foods, but may in some cases also include certain types of medication and changes in the weather. Allergies, too, can cause asthma attacks, so it is advised that asthma sufferers try to identify their allergies and avoid those allergens.
The best way to treat an asthma attack is to prevent it from happening. This is generally done through the regular use of inhaled prescription anti-inflammatory medications such as steroids. Once an asthma attack has been triggered, though, bronchodilators such as albuterol are commonly employed. Bronchodilators are delivered through an inhaler, and work quickly to relieve the symptoms of an asthma attack by relaxing the muscles that surround the bronchi, or airways. Relief from the symptoms of an asthma attack generally occur soon after administration of the bronchodilator, but in some more serious cases, this is not enough, and symptoms may linger or worsen. This is referred to as status asthmaticus.
Status asthmaticus is a very severe and potentially life-threatening asthma attack that is not alleviated by the use of a bronchodilator. Its symptoms include a bluish tint to the lips, breathlessness, or an inability to concentrate or form complete sentences. When bronchodilators fail to work, it is imperative to act quickly, as status asthmaticus can lead to asphyxiation and death if left untreated. Treatments may include epinephrine injections or supplemental oxygen, among others.
Asthma in Children According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 6.7 million children in the U.S. alone affected by asthma, the leading cause of chronic disease in children. Occurences of asthma in children continue to rise year after year, with Oklahoma, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York and Delaware among the states in which asthma in children is over 9.8 percent of the total child population.
The prevalence of asthma in children appears highest in those of Puerto Rican heritage and the highest concentration of asthma in children coincides with the highest concentration of Puerto Rican citizens living in the U.S., which is in the Northeastern corridor of the nation.
According to the United States Department of Health and Human services, the reason for occurences of asthma in children doubling since 1980 is mainly unknown, although the increase of airborne pollution over the past two decades seems to be a significant contributing factor. Asthma in children burdens many families with expensive trips to the hospital emergency room and extended hospitalizations, as well as high medical costs and the cost of work days lost when either parent must attend to a child's sudden asthma attack. In addition, asthma in children severly curtails a child's ability to join in with other healthy children in physical activities.
If a parent or caretaker does not recognize the signs of asthma in children, the coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing and pain and tightness in the chest as symptoms of asthma, children often go untreated and uncounted among the children with asthma statistics.
Out of every three children affected by asthma, two have experienced an asthma attack within the past year, with almost 13 million school days missed by children affected by asthma. Males within the 5 to 17 year age range continue to have the highest incidence of asthma.
Approximately 2.5% of children visiting their family physician do so because of asthma, with an increasing number of children with asthma visiting a healthcare provider or a local hospital emergency room preceded by an asthma attack. Thanks to increased knowledge of and awareness of monitoring for asthma, deaths in children due to asthma have not increased, with the latest available statistics indicating that 186 mortalities in children with asthma occured within a one year period.
Adult Asthma When a person has had clear breathing for all of their life so far, the onset of adult asthma can be quite a surprise. As a patient, you may not really understand why this is happening now and what exactly you can do about your newly diagnosed condition. There are several things to look at and some treatments that have been proven successful.
The first thing to consider is that almost half of the cases involving asthma in adults is related to allergic reactions. Whether or not you have ever had any problems with allergies, this is a good place to start. There are several possibilities including experiencing a reaction to dust mites, mold, fungi, pollen and animal hair. Some people are also extremely sensitive to some types of chemicals and this can account for your case of adult asthma. It may be that you have not been previously exposed to the items causing your allergic response or it's quite possible that your body has just become more sensitive over time. Keep a diary of when you have the worst episodes and this can help you track if you have an attack surrounding a particular event or environment. Also, keep in mind that some people are just genetically more likely to experience problems with asthma. Changes in hormone levels can also play a part. It is actually likely that your own case has a variety of causes.
When you seek treatment, your doctor will likely take a multi tiered approach. First, you will want some fast acting emergency medications on hand in case you need relief right away. Some of the options in this category are bronchodilators such as albuterol. Another possibility is an oral corticosteroid. These are commonly prescribed for asthma in adults as prednisone or prednisolone. Both of these options can be very effective, but you also risk side effects, some of which can be very severe. These can include anxiety, diabetes or even a depressed immune system. You should always try to use these drugs as emergency measures only whenever possible. A more effective and safe choice for daily control and long term relief is inhaled steroids. Also, many people gain relief using alternative therapies such as acupuncture and even herbs or probiotics, a healthy bacteria that can promote better breathing.
In addition to traditional medications and therapies, it's important to recognize your triggers for adult asthma and learn to avoid them. If you know that you are sensitive to chemicals, for example, you can make sure that all the cleaners in your home are natural. By taking just a few steps, you can understand and control your adult asthma.
Asthma in Pets Most people think of asthma as something that can be triggered by pets, but did you know your pets can develop asthma as well? Asthma in dogs and cats is increasing in frequency, though it is still considered a rare disease. Much as in humans, asthma in pets is the result of obstruction of the airways due to bronchial constriction and spasms. Your dog or cat may suddenly begin wheezing, demonstrating signs of shortness of breath, and having violent coughing episodes when exposed to stress or asthma triggers. Asthma in cats is often misdiagnosed as "hairball" problems, but if coughing fits are recurring or severe, it's a good idea to have your pet checked out by a veterinarian.
Asthma in dogs is usually diagnosed by ruling out other causes, though blood tests are sometimes run to identify asthma in pets. Your veterinarian will likely recommend a chest X-ray to ensure that the symptoms are not due to undiagnosed pneumonia or other respiratory ailments. It has been argued that asthma in dogs is actually the result of allergies; this is as yet unproven, but certain triggers, such as cigarette smoke or strong perfume smells, can often set off an asthma attack. Asthma attacks also occur in the absence of these triggers, however, so the evidence is not clear either way.
Luckily, asthma in dogs is rare, and treatments are available to control it and allow your dog to live a full, active life. Asthma medications are similar in nature to those prescribed for humans (but designed for dog physiology, of course) and include steroid treatments, antihistamines, and bronchodilators. The most severe attacks may require direct injection of epinephrine to relax the bronchial passages and allow your dog to breathe freely. Your veterinarian may also recommend nonprescription treatments in addition to these medications, in order to strengthen your dog's immune system and ensure fewer asthma attacks.
Asthma in cats is far more common than asthma in dogs, but the symptoms and treatment are very similar. Cats are usually not as willing to submit to examination and treatment, however, and general anesthesia is not recommended in cats with known respiratory problems. This can make identifying asthma in cats more difficult than the same procedures used to identify asthma in dogs. Triggers for asthma in cats are roughly the same as for dogs, so reducing the amount of smoke and chemical exposure for your cat is a good idea. Ironically, cat litter dust can also be a trigger for asthma attacks, so choosing a dustless or hypoallergenic brand of cat litter can be helpful in preventing them.
Asthma in pets can be frightening, especially since your dog or cat can't tell you what's wrong. If caught early, however, it's both treatable and controllable. Your veterinarian can advise you on the right course of treatment for your pet's asthma.
Bronchial Asthma According to the 2009 statistics released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), almost 23 million Americans have asthma.
What is Bronchial Asthma?
Bronchial asthma is a disease of the lungs characterized by chronic inflammation and constriction of the small and medium-sized bronchial airways. The inflammation causes periods of coughing and wheezing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath. These periods are called �asthma attacks' and occur most often in the early morning or at night. The attacks can last as little as a few minutes or may continue for days.
What causes Bronchial Asthma?
Usually, a predisposition to bronchial asthma is passed along in a person's genes. If one person in a family has bronchial asthma, it is likely that other family members will also have the disease.
Allergies are also often directly related to the development of bronchial asthma in many individuals. When a person inhales an allergen, a series of biochemical and tissue changes takes place. These changes lead to inflammation in the airways. The inflammation causes the airways to constrict, making it difficult for air to pass through.
Bronchial asthma attacks can begin at any time during a person's life. The attacks can occur spontaneously but are most often brought on by specific �triggers' such as exercise, tobacco smoke, air pollution, emotional stress or anxiety, respiratory infections, and food and drug allergies. Singing, coughing, or even an acid reflux condition can trigger a bronchial asthma attack.
What are the treatments for Bronchial Asthma?
Effective treatment of bronchial asthma depends on a proper diagnosis by a qualified physician. Although there is no known cure, bronchial asthma can be successfully managed to allow a full and reasonably active life.
The most obvious treatment is to simply avoid known triggers. This might include restricting strenuous exercise, avoiding tobacco smoke, removing pet hair or dander, and staying away from foods and medications that are allergens.
Medical treatments for bronchial asthma include immediate relief products such as beta-agonist inhalers. A beta-agonist is a bronchodilator medicine that opens the bronchial airways by relaxing the muscles around the airways. The effects of the medicine last about four hours.
Other medical treatment of bronchial asthma includes pills and inhalers that deliver long-acting drugs. These drugs may contain low-dosage steroids that work primarily by controlling bronchial inflammation.
Asthma Treatments Treatment of asthmatic symptoms and asthma attacks varies from person to person, but usually includes prevention as well as any number of different medications for both long-term use as well as quick-relief treatments to use in the event of an attack. Asthma sufferers should work with their medical provider to determine the best treatments for asthma to use in their particular case.
Have an asthma management plan
Once a diagnosis of asthma is made, the medical provider will put together an asthma action written instructions so the patient knows exactly how to manage the condition and what to do if the signs of an attack are present. The plan starts with baseline information so the patient knows what is normal for them, such as their peak air flow (if a peak flow meter is recommended). It also provides a list of medications to be taken, the dose and the time to take them.
The rest of the plan provides asthma treatments to use if a attack is indicated which includes the quick-relief medication and instructions for using it as well as instructions for when to call the doctor. The final phase of a plan for the treatment of asthma is what to do in the case of a full-blown attack, again including medications, dosage and if emergency medical treatment is recommended.
Preventing asthma attacks
While there is no way to prevent getting asthma in the first place, patients can effectively manage their asthma by practicing a few simple habits:
1. Follow an asthma management plan provided by a trained medical professional.
2. Take prescribed long-term medications regularly and as directed, and don't alter dosage or timing without first talking with your doctor.
3. Know the things that trigger asthma attacks and avoid them, whether allergens like animal dander, dust mites, pollen or mold; or irritants like tobacco smoke, strong odors or sprays, air pollution or even extremely cold air.
4. Be aware of changes in breathing to recognize any warning signs of an attack. Shortness of breath, a slight cough, or wheezing are all signs to watch.
5. Use a home peak flow meter to measure peak airflow. This can alert you to potential problems before other warning signs occur. If peak airflow decreases, immediately take medication as instructed and stop any activities that could have caused the onset of an attack.
6. Keep track of daily asthma symptoms and peak air flow in an asthma journal. This will be invaluable in helping to identify triggers and learning how to best manage the condition.
Long-term asthma treatments
A major component of treatment of asthma is a long-term medication regime, which is meant to help prevent asthma attacks from occurring. Because asthma has two main components that work together - airway inflammation and airway constriction (bronchoconstriction) research as proven that reducing and preventing inflammation is a major key to preventing asthma attacks and allowing patients to enjoy an active and normal life.
Long-term medications are taken daily to control chronic asthma symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. These control medications include:
-Inhaled corticosteroids help to reduce airway inflammation
-Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs) both open airways and help to reduce inflammation for at least 12 hours. These drugs are often used to prevent overnight symptoms and to control moderate to severe asthma.
-Leukotriene modifiers are an inhaled medication that helps limit the action of leukotrienes, the body's immune system chemicals that are known to cause asthmatic symptoms. There often prescribed as an alternative to mast cell stabilizers and steroids.
-Cromolyn, nedocromil are inhaled asthma treatments mostly used for patients with mild persistent asthma. However, they also are used as a preventative for asthma that's triggered by exercise or allergens.
-Theophylline, which is a bronchodilator delivered in pill form to relax airways and decrease the lungs' reaction to airborne irritants. It can also be useful for treatment of asthma symptoms overnight.
In addition to the above drugs, there are also a few inhaled medications that contain both a corticosteroid and a bronchodilator.
Rapid-relief medications
An important component in the arsenal of asthma treatments available today are drugs that fall into the category of quick relief and are used to provide quick relief of the symptoms of an asthma attack, such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath or tightness in the chest. These drugs include:
Short-acting beta-agonists or SABAs relax the muscles in the airways to open the lungs. These drugs are typically delivered via an inhaler and are the favored medication to both relieve asthma attacks and prevent symptoms brought on by physical activity. examples of these drugs include albuterol
Anticholinergics which are bronchodilators usually used along with short-acting beta-agonists or as an alternative to beta-agonists depending upon the needs of the patient.
Finally, corticosterids that are administered either orally or intravenously, are an anti-inflammatory drug mostly used in the case of an emergency in order to rapidly gain control of the breathing so that other measures can be taken.
Treatment of asthma caused by allergies
Antihistamines and decongestants are the most commonly used drugs to help control allergy symptoms that could cause a full-blown asthma attack. There are also stronger drugs that are prescribed as treatment for asthma triggered by airborne allergens. For example, anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies which inhibit the body from producing antibodies to attack airborne allergens, thus reducing asthma symptoms. This is a fairly new medication that prevents the allergic reaction from happening at all.
Another preventative measure for allergy induced asthma sufferers is to treat the allergy itself through immunotherapy commonly known as allergy shots that will help your body build up a tolerance for the allergens that induce asthmatic symptoms.
Over-the-counter asthma treatments
Finally, there are also over-the-counter medications that can be used for asthma management. The brands, Primatene Mist and Bronkaid function as a bronchodilator to relax muscles around airways. They provide very short-term relief and don't control or prevent asthma.
Patients with asthmatic symptoms are best served by getting a proper evaluation and diagnosis from a medical provider. Only then can a treatment plan be developed and implemented so that the patient can enjoy an active, normal life.
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