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Lung Health: Breathe Easier
Asthma
Know the Facts
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs. You can have a mild or serious form of asthma. If you have asthma, you may have the symptoms of cough, wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest, or trouble breathing. There is no cure for asthma; however you can control asthma well.What happens during an asthma attack?
In an asthma attack, the airways (or bronchial tubes) in your lungs react to some stimulus or trigger. The airways become inflamed and swollen and make more mucus than usual. The airways then may constrict or get narrow. The constriction and swelling make it hard to breathe and cause the other symptoms of asthma.Asthma affects women and men differently.
Although boys are more likely than girls to have asthma, adult women are more likely than men to have asthma. Women are more likely than men to be hospitalized or to die from asthma. Each year, nearly 500,000 Americans are hospitalized and more than 5,000 die from asthma.[ back to top ]
Know Your Risk Factors
Genetics
The cause of asthma is not yet understood. Both genetic and environmental factors appear to play roles in asthma. Many people with asthma have airways that are very sensitive or hyper-reactive. They have allergic reactions to particles or other stimuli inhaled, such as animal dander and pollen. These common substances are called allergens, meaning that they cause an allergic reaction. The tendency to react to allergens by having an asthma attack is probably genetic.Environment
The allergens that trigger an asthma attack vary from one person to another. Some common asthma triggers include:- Animal dander (from the skin, hair, or feathers of animals).
- Waste products from dust mites.
- Pollen from trees and grass.
- Mold (indoor and outdoor).
- Cigarette smoke.
- Air pollution.
- Infections such as colds and the flu.
- Exercise.
- Emotional stress.
- Changes in weather, cold air.
- Strong odors from painting or cooking.
- Scented products.
- Certain medicines and foods.
This is not a complete list of all the things that may trigger asthma. People may have trouble with one or more of these triggers.
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Manage Your Risk Factors
Asthma can be controlled.
Here are some ways you can help prevent an asthma attack. Remember, everyone is different. Some people have trouble with pollen, others have trouble with tobacco smoke, and others may have trouble with animal dander. Follow the steps that make sense for you:- Wash your pet once a week, or have someone do it for you.
- Do not smoke.
- Do not allow smoking in your home.
- Stay indoors with the air conditioner on when the pollen count is high.
- Wash your bedding, clothes, and stuffed toys once a week in hot water.
- Wash your hands often.
- Discuss with your provider whether you should get a flu shot every year.
- Wear a scarf over your mouth and nose in the winter.
- Be aware of what makes you have asthma attacks and try to stay away from those triggers.
- Follow your asthma action plan.
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Work with Your Doctor
Take Your Medication
Two kinds of medicines are often used for asthma -- those used to relieve acute symptoms and those used on a long-term basis to control asthma.- Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as corticosteroids (steroids), are used every day on a long-term basis to help reduce the swelling of airways. These may be sprays (inhalers) or pills.
- Fast-acting, inhaled bronchodilators are used to help open up airways to allow air to move more freely.
It is important to use your medicines exactly as your doctor tells you.
Use Your Peak Flow Meter
Many people with moderate or severe asthma use a device called a peak flow meter at home to measure lung function. The peak flow meter can help warn of a possible asthma attack even before you notice symptoms. You can then stop the attack by taking your medicine right away. The meter can also tell you how well you are responding to medicine.Follow Your Action Plan
If you have asthma, talk to your doctor about creating an action plan. Your plan should include:- Seeing your doctor for regular checkups.
- Learning what triggers your asthma and avoiding your triggers.
- Taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor.
- Learning how and when to use a peak flow meter.
- Knowing what to do in an emergency if your asthma gets very bad.
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