Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung condition most often characterized by difficulty in breathing. This condition has varying degrees of severity. It can affect a child so much that he or she may have to undergo lifestyle changes to cope or it may be a periodic problem where symptoms only appear every now and then.
Facts
- Asthma affects around 2.2 million Canadians (Statistics Canada).
- There is no known cure for asthma. You can only properly control symptoms.
- Asthma is most often seen in children. It’s estimated that 7-10% of children under the age of 12 are affected.
- During childhood, asthma affects more boys than girls. Then, in the teen years, it becomes more common in girls than in boys. Finally, in adulthood, it affects men and women equally (Statistics Canada).
- Asthma is responsible for the deaths of 20 children and 500 adults in Canada annually (The Asthma Society of Canada).
Causes
The cause for asthma is still not totally known but there are factors that may raise the likelihood of suffering from the disease. These include:
- Genetics.
- Household influence: those with pets, second-hand smoke exposure, etc.
- Viral infections can also trigger asthma in those predisposed to the disease.
Symptoms
What happens with Asthma?
The lining of the airways becomes irritated, inflamed and swollen, and an increase in mucus production occurs.
When airways become irritated, they react by narrowing and obscuring the air passage, resulting in any of the following symptoms:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
Triggers:
- Exercise
- Emotional anxiety
- Cold air
- Dust
- Allergies
- Respiratory infections
- Strong fumes or inhaled irritants
- Medications or foods
- Smoke
Note: second-hand smoke is a very strong trigger. Second-hand smoke is known to aggravate asthma symptoms, especially in children and young adults. It’s strongly recommended if you live with an asthmatic that you have a smoke-free home.
Diagnosis
The correct diagnosis of asthma requires the following:
- A detailed history that includes the patient’s medical history and the family background.
- Chest x-ray: to rule out that breathing problems are caused by something else.
- Physical examination: to listen to the lungs etc.
- Challenge tests: physically demanding tests while monitoring the patient’s breathing and physical reaction to shortness of breath.
- Blood and allergy tests.
- Asthma drug trials: if the patient gets better while on the drugs, it further supports the idea that he/she has asthma.
Treatment
- Rather than treating asthma when an attack occurs, it is more effective to manage the condition so as to prevent attacks.
- The key is to be prepared for an attack. Important information should be written down and kept on the patient, like in a purse or wallet. This includes medication information, doctors’ numbers, etc.
- If you see someone having an attack, the best thing to do is remove them from the asthma trigger (if it’s from the cold, bring them somewhere warm; if it’s because of pets, remove them from the room).
- It is important for patients to become aware of their triggers and learn to avoid them in order to remain free of asthma attacks.
- An important way of managing asthma involves anti-asthma medications.
Medications:
- Most people with asthma need two types of medications: almost everyone needs medication that is used for quick relief and many others need medication for long-term control.
- Medication is divided into two categories: bronchodilators (medication that stops asthma attacks after they have started) and anti-inflammatories (medication that controls airway inflammation and prevents attacks).
- The most popular asthma medication is the spray inhaler.
- Medication has to be carefully monitored to make sure that it is working for you (since the overall purpose of the medication is to control your asthma).
Outlook
Although asthma never really goes away, with medication and the proper lifestyle to avoid and control triggers, asthmatics can live healthy lives free of breathing difficulties.
Where to get help
If you would like more information about Asthma, talk to you doctor.
Books:
The Complete Kid’s Allergy & Asthma Guide: Allergy and Asthma Information for Kids of All Ages by Milton Gold.
American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child’s Allergies and Asthma: Breathing Easy and Bringing Up Healthy, Active Children by Michael J. Welch.