Facts About Asthma
What
is Asthma?
It's a chronic disease that makes it hard to get air in and out of lungs
during asthma attacks. These attacks can be prevented, but not cured and
sometimes they can be fatal if they are very severe and not treated. More
kids miss school because of this disease than any other chronic one.
Who
has asthma?
* 1 in 7 children
* 1 in 12 adults
African Americans and Latinos have a higher risk for developing asthma.
Rate of hospital admissions for asthma per 10,000:
adults children Blacks 35.4 81.3 Whites 8.6 25.6
(hospitalizations are thought to be from poor outpatient asthma management)
What
happens in an asthma attack?
The air flowing into and out of the lungs may be blocked by tightening
muscles, swelling and too much mucus. People with asthma may have a reaction
to triggers (things in the environment that can set off asthma attacks).
These triggers cause the asthmatic's airways to narrow and swell, causing
the symptoms of wheezing and/or coughing.
What
are some warning signs of an asthma attack?
• coughing
• tightness in the chest
• feeling tired
• restlessness
• wheezing
A drop in the peak flow (using a peak flow meter) can be the first clue that an asthma attack is on the way even before the person feels anything different.
What
causes an attack?
Common triggers are:
- Smoking
- Aspirin and other medications
- Dust and dust mites
- Strong emotional responses (laughing, crying, etc.)
- Pollen
- Pets (the "dandruff' from their skin)
- Stress
- Roaches (their feces and dried body parts)
- Breathing cold air/weather changes
- Colds, respiratory infections
- Mold, mildew
- Playing sports, running
- Perfumes, deodorants
- Air pollution
- Strong chemical smells (paint, cleaning fluids, etc.)
- Second hand smoke is a BIG trigger (especially for kids)!
When
do you get medical help?
Call or visit your health care provider if:
- the person's peak flow doesn't get better after taking medications
- the person is still having trouble breathing after taking their quick relief medication
Signs/Symptoms of asthma:
- Coughing with or without a cold (This is often the first symptom that asthma isn't under control)
- Whistling, hissing or wheezing sounds in the chest
- Feeling short of breath (easily winded)
- A heavy or tight feeling in the chest
- Waking up often during the night
- Feeling tired
- Trouble exhaling (breathing out used air trapped in lungs)
NOTE: Infants and children may not show the usual symptoms and instead you may notice:
- noisy breathing and congestion, or mucus, in the chest
- constant or repeated coughing spells
- they get tired more easily than other kids during playtime
- they may stop their activities to prevent coughing or wheezing
What can I do about asthma?
- Lots of people in the U.S. have asthma (more than 4 million are kids)
- If managed properly, most can enjoy the same activities and life span as others without asthma
Remember that the best way to manage asthma is to work as a team with your health care provider or public health nurse so don't hesitate to ask questions and get answers.
Important parts about treating asthma:
- Avoid triggers
- Control asthma with proper
medications
a) for long term control
b) for quick relief - Regularly check how well the person is breathing using a peak flow meter (find out from the health care provider how often)
Learning
More About Asthma
It's a fact: those who learn the most about asthma are the most successful
in controlling it. The Health
Education Resource Center (HERC) at the East Ann Arbor Health Center,
734-647-5645, has brochures and fact sheets, can direct you to local
support groups and organizations, and has the following videos:
- Trigger Proofing Your Home
- Managing Childhood Asthma, A Parents Guide
- Mastering Asthma, A Family's Guide to Childhood Asthma
- Time Life Medical: Asthma in Children
- Managing Childhood Asthma, A Parents Guide
Asthma education information has been provided by Terence Joiner, M.D., M.H.S.A., medical director of Ypsilanti Pediatrics. Ypsilanti Pediatrics can be reached at 734-484-7288.