Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult. With asthma, there is inflammation of the air passages that result in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. This results in asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Some people refer to asthma as “bronchial asthma.”
Even though there are seemingly miraculous treatments for asthma symptoms, asthma is still a serious --even dangerous -- disease that affects more than 22 million Americans and causes nearly 2 million emergency room visits ever year. When managed properly, you can live well with asthma. Yet inadequate asthma treatment limits the ability to exercise and be active. Poorly controlled asthma can lead to multiple visits to the emergency room and even hospital admission, which can affect your performance at home or at work.
In each of the following sections, there are in-depth articles that link to the topics. Be sure to read each health topic so you have a greater understanding of asthma and how it is diagnosed and treated.
There are three major features of asthma:
1. Airway obstruction. During normal breathing, the bands of muscle that surround the airways are relaxed, and air moves freely. But in people with asthma, allergy-causing substances and environmental triggers make the bands of muscle surrounding the airways tighten, and air cannot move freely. Less air causes a person to feel short of breath, and the air moving through the tightened airways causes a whistling sound known as wheezing.(Fortunately, this airway narrowing is reversible, a feature that distinguishes asthma from other lung diseases such as bronchitis or emphysema.)
2. Inflammation. People with asthma have red and swollen bronchial tubes. This inflammation is thought to contribute greatly to the long-term damage that asthma can cause to the lungs. And, therefore, treating this inflammation is key to managing asthma in the long run.
3. Airway irritability. The airways of people with asthma are extremely sensitive. The airways tend to overreact and narrow due to even the slightest triggers such as pollen, animal dander, dust or fumes.
People with asthma have very sensitive airways that react to many different things in the environment called "triggers." Contact with these triggers cause asthma symptoms to start or worsen. The following are common triggers for asthma:
· Infections (colds, viruses, flu, sinus infection)
· Allergens such as pollens, mold spores, pet dander and dust mites
· Irritants such as strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions, air pollution,
· Tobacco smoke
· Exercise or exertion
· Weather; changes in temperature and/or humidity, cold air
· Strong emotions such as anxiety, laughter or crying, stress
One Treatment for Asthma:
Nebulizer
A nebulizer, also known as a breathing machine, changes asthma medication from a liquid to a mist, so that it can be more easily inhaled into the lungs. Home nebulizer therapy is particularly effective in delivering asthma medications to infants and small children and to anyone who is unable to use inhalers with spacers.
Nebulizers, in general, are not very portable. They are big in size and require an electrical source. There are "portable" nebulizers that are more lightweight, smaller and have an internal battery. If it is determined that a nebulizer is the best method for you to receive your medications, your health care provider can assist you in obtaining one. Unfortunately, they are more expensive than a standard nebulizer and are often not covered by insurance. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or health care provider.