by Karina Jacobsen
Asthma is a very serious condition affecting both children and adults. The effects of an Asthma attack are disabling if your doctor doesn't know about your condition, leaving you improperly cared for. Though treatments for Asthma are much more advanced than they were years ago, more than half a million people every year, are in need of in-patient care while nearly four thousand ultimately die. How your doctor or specialist chooses to treat your asthma is based on your age and how severe your Asthma is.
It's possible to pass Asthma on to a child through heredity, but more likely asthma is caused by your environment. An Asthma attacks happens when allergens infiltrate your respiratory system causing your bronchiole airway to constrict which leads to over production of mucous. It's also possible to bring on an Asthma attack by merely laughing. There are plenty of warning signs to indicate an Asthma attack is brewing.
If you have a history of Asthma or suspect you or someone you know might, watch for signs such as: Coughing (sometimes so severe it wakes you from sleep), wheezing, tightness in the chest and the feeling of not being able to catch your breath. If you experience these symptoms its imperative you seek medical attention immediately.
If you have mild or intermittent Asthma, your doctor may suggest the use of over-the-counter medication such as a bronchodilator. More severe Asthma may require the use of a prescription medication or an inhaler containing corticosteroids, as treatment. Prescription medications used to treat Asthma contain active ingredients used to decrease the inflammation in the lungs and sensitivity to allergens. A bronchodilator is prescribed and used for immediate relief of Asthma symptoms but has no long lasting effects.
It's possible your doctor will choose to use a combination of treatments to relieve your Asthma symptoms and attacks. An ever popular and effective treatment for Asthma caused by allergies in children and adults is Immunotherapy. This method works by building antibodies in the system to the allergens that set off the attacks by exposing the Asthmatic to ever increasing doses of said allergen. Eventually, the allergy is resolved and with it, hopefully, the Asthma attacks.This article in no way should be taken as medical advice.
As with any medical condition, its important to speak with your doctor for the best course of action and prevention. If you are currently under your doctors care for Asthma, and feel your symptoms are not improving, speak with him/her about alternate forms of treatment. If short term inhalers are being used often, this is a good indication your Asthma is not effectively being controlled.
Ask your doctor about physical exercise, how much is too much and if there are certain activities you should avoid or limit. Breathing should not be a chore, tell your doctor today if you suspect that you or someone you love maybe suffering from Asthma.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Methods To Treat Asthma In Adults And Children
Monday, September 1, 2008
What is Allergy Induced Asthma?
By: Isabelle Boulay
When someone is exposed to an allergen – a substance to which their body is sensitive – they may produce ‘histamines’, which cause inflammation and irritation as they work to rid the body of the allergen. In the case of allergy induced asthma, the histamines go to work on the bronchial passages and lungs, making it difficult for the allergic person to breathe.
The incidence of allergy induced asthma has grown almost geometrically in recent years, and scientists aren’t quite sure why. They suspect that part of the reason may be the increased exposure of children to some common allergens. This seems to be borne out by population based studies – African-American and Hispanic children living in the inner city are far more likely to develop allergy induced asthma than Caucasian children in the same cities, and even those children are more likely to develop allergy induced asthma than suburban and rural children of the same socioeconomic level.
A number of reasons have been advanced for the disparity, but the most likely is simply that Black and Hispanic children are far more likely to live in the most crowded old neighborhoods of the city. Crowding is the biggest risk factor for the presence of common household pests like cockroaches and rodents, and cockroach parts and rodent droppings are two of the most common allergens in children with allergy induced asthma.
Diagnosing Allergy Induced Asthma
Doctors will diagnose asthma differently depending on the age of the patient. Children under five, for instance, may find it difficult to follow instructions for breathing capacity tests. Doctors will often use history, both the child’s and the family medical history, to help determine the possibility of asthma. Often, if asthma is suspected, the doctor will prescribe a bronchodilator. If it helps, the diagnosis is confirmed.
In older children and adults, doctors may perform a series of breathing capacity tests with a peak flow meter and a spirometer to help determine the extent of an asthma problem.
Generally, doctors don’t use allergy tests to diagnose asthma, but if there’s a reason to believe that a specific allergen is a problem, allergic dermatitis tests may be used to confirm or rule out possible allergens. Knowing that a specific substance or food is a problem can help you avoid it and reduce your risk of asthma attacks.
Treating Allergy Induced Asthma
The good news is that interventions to reduce exposure to allergens seems to be as effective a treatment for allergy induced asthma as corticosteroid inhalers. If your child has been diagnosed with allergy induced asthma, there are ways that you can help control your child’s symptoms. Besides using inhalers and nebulizers as directed by your doctor, you can also keep your home – and especially your child’s bedroom – as close to allergen free as possible. Mattress covers, pillow cases, air filters and pest control measures can reduce your child’s exposure to allergens that cause allergy induced asthma to worsen into acute stages.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Asthma in Children: Symptoms and Risk Factors
Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children. It affects as many as 10%-12% of children in the U.S. and, for unknown reasons, is steadily increasing. It can begin at any age, but most children have their first symptoms by age 5.
What Makes a Child More Likely to Develop Asthma?
There are many risk factors for developing childhood asthma. These include:
* Presence of allergies
* Family history of asthma and/or allergies
* Frequent respiratory infections
* Low birth weight
* Exposure to tobacco smoke before and/or after birth
* Being male
* Being black
* Being raised in a low-income environment
Why Are More Children Getting Asthma?
No one really knows why more and more children are developing asthma. Some experts suggest that children are being exposed to more and more allergens such as dust, air pollution, and second-hand smoke. These factors all are triggers of asthma. Others suspect that children are not exposed to enough childhood illnesses to build up their immune system. It appears that a disorder of the immune system where the body fails to make enough protective antibodies may play a role in causing asthma.
And still others suggest that decreasing rates of breastfeeding have prevented important substances of the immune system from being passed on to babies.
How Can I Tell If My Child Has Asthma?
Signs and symptoms to look for include:
* Frequent coughing spells, which may occur during play, at night, or while laughing. It is important to know that cough may be the only symptom present.
* Less energy during play
* Rapid breathing
* Complaint of chest tightness or chest "hurting"
* Whistling sound (wheezing) when breathing in or out
* See-saw motions (retractions) in the chest from labored breathing
* Shortness of breath, loss of breath
* Tightened neck and chest muscles
* Feelings of weakness or tiredness
Keep in mind that not all children have the same asthma symptoms, and these symptoms can vary from asthma episode to the next episode in the same child. Also note that not all wheezing or coughing is caused by asthma.
In kids under 5 years of age, the most common cause of asthma-like symptoms is upper respiratory viral infections such as the common cold.
If your child has problem breathing, take him or her to the doctor immediately for an evaluation.
How Is Asthma Diagnosed In Children?
Asthma is often difficult to diagnose in infants. However, in older children the disease can often be diagnosed based on your child's medical history, symptoms, and physical exam.
* Medical history and symptom description. Your child's doctor will be interested in any history of breathing problems you or your child may have had, as well as a family history of asthma, allergies, a skin condition called eczema, or other lung disease. It is important that you describe your child's symptoms -- cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness -- in detail, including when and how often these symptoms have been occurring.
* Physical exam. During the physical examination, the doctor will listen to your child's heart and lungs.
* Tests. Many children will also have a chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests. Also called lung function tests, these tests measure the amount of air in the lungs and how fast it can be exhaled. The results help the doctor determine how severe the asthma is. Generally, children younger than 5 are unable to perform pulmonary function tests. Thus doctors rely heavily on history, symptoms and examination in making the diagnosis.
Other tests may also be ordered to help identify particular asthma triggers. These tests may include allergy skin testing, blood tests and X-rays to determine if sinus infections or gastroesophageal reflux disease (a gastrointestinal condition that causes reflux of acid stomach contents into the esophagus or even into the lungs) is complicating asthma.
WebMD Medical Reference
Friday, August 8, 2008
How Is Asthma Diagnosed In Children?
Source: WebMD
Asthma is often difficult to diagnose in infants. However, in older children the disease can often be diagnosed based on your child's medical history, symptoms, and physical exam.
- Medical history and symptom description. Your child's doctor will be interested in any history of breathing problems you or your child may have had, as well as a family history of asthma, allergies, a skin condition called eczema, or other lung disease. It is important that you describe your child's symptoms -- cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness -- in detail, including when and how often these symptoms have been occurring.
- Physical exam. During the physical examination, the doctor will listen to your child's heart and lungs.
- Tests. Many children will also have a chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests. Also called lung function tests, these tests measure the amount of air in the lungs and how fast it can be exhaled. The results help the doctor determine how severe the asthma is. Generally, children younger than 5 are unable to perform pulmonary function tests. Thus doctors rely heavily on history, symptoms and examination in making the diagnosis.
Other tests may also be ordered to help identify particular asthma triggers. These tests may include allergy skin testing, blood tests and X-rays to determine if sinus infections or gastroesophageal reflux disease (a gastrointestinal condition that causes reflux of acid stomach contents into the esophagus or even into the lungs) is complicating asthma.
Read More......Asthma & Children Fact Sheet
Source: American Lung Association
December 2007
Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways with reversible episodes of obstruction, caused by an increased reaction of the airways to various stimuli. Asthma breathing problems usually happen in "episodes” or attacks but the inflammation underlying asthma is continuous.
* Asthma is the most common chronic disorder in childhood, currently affecting an estimated 6.8 million children under 18 years; of which 4.1 million suffered from an asthma attack or episode in 2006.
* An asthma episode is a series of events that results in narrowed airways. These include: swelling of the lining, tightening of the muscle, and increased secretion of mucus in the airway. The narrowed airway is responsible for the difficulty in breathing with the familiar "wheeze".
* Asthma is characterized by excessive sensitivity of the lungs to various stimuli. Triggers range from viral infections to allergies, to irritating gases and particles in the air. Each child reacts differently to the factors that may trigger asthma, including:
- respiratory infections, colds
- allergic reactions to allergens such as pollen, mold, animal dander, feathers, dust, food, and cockroaches
- exposure to cold air or sudden temperature change
- cigarette smoke
- excitement/stress
- exercise
* Asthma can be a life-threatening disease if not properly managed. In 2004, 3,816 deaths were attributed to asthma. However, deaths due to asthma are rare among children. The number of deaths increases with age. In 2004, 141 children under 15 died from asthma compared to 684 adults over 85.3
* Asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization among children under the age of 15. Approximately 32.6 percent of all asthma hospital discharges in 2005 were in those under 15, however only 27.8% of the U.S. population was less than 15 years old.
* In 2005, there were approximately 679,000 emergency room visits were due to asthma in those under 15.
* Current asthma prevalence in children under 18 ranges from 5.7% in South Dakota and Idaho to 11.9% in Delaware.
* Within the last few years, mortality and hospitalizations due to asthma have decreased and asthma prevalence has stabilized, possibly indicating a better level of disease management, such as increased use of inhaled steroids.
* Asthma medications help reduce underlying inflammation in the airways and relieve or prevent airway narrowing. Control of inflammation should lead to reduction in airway sensitivity and help prevent airway obstruction.
* Two classes of medications have been used to treat asthma -- anti-inflammatory agents and bronchodilators. Anti-inflammatory drugs interrupt the development of bronchial inflammation and have a preventive action. They may also modify or terminate ongoing inflammatory reactions in the airways. These agents include inhaled corticosteroids, cromolyn sodium, and other anti-inflammatory compounds. A new class of anti-inflammatory medications known as leukotriene modifiers, which work in a different way by blocking the activity of chemicals called leukotrienes that are involved in airway inflammation have recently come on the market.
* Bronchodilators act principally to dilate the airways by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle. They include beta-adrenergic agonists, methylxanthines, and anticholinergics.
* In July of 2003, The Food and Drug Administration approved a new drug for patients with serious asthma. Xolair, is the first in a new class of therapies that are bioengineered to target IgE (the antibody behind allergic asthma) in the treatment of allergic disease.
* The annual direct health care cost of asthma is approximately $14.7 billion; indirect costs (e.g. lost productivity) add another $5 billion, for a total of $19.7 billion dollars. Prescription drugs represented the largest single direct cost, at $6.2 billion.
* Asthma is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism; in 2003, asthma accounted for an estimated 12.8 million lost school days in children with an asthma attack in the previous year.
* The American Lung Association funds a wide variety of asthma research. The American Lung Association-Asthma Clinical Research Centers (ACRC) network is an American Lung Association-sponsored research program seeking to develop large clinical trials that will provide useful information important to the direct care of people who have asthma. The network, with 20 clinical centers and a data coordinating center, is the largest of its kind. This work involves large numbers of subjects, making the focus of the network different from current federally funded and commercial research. Thus, the ACRC is playing a unique and important role in asthma research.
* Currently the ACRC is conducting the Study of Acid Reflux and Childhood Asthma (SARCA) which will determine if poorly controlled asthma improves when acid reflux is treated with a certain class of drug, proton pump inhibitors. Acid reflux is frequent in people with poorly controlled asthma and can lead to asthma attacks. To find out if you qualify for participation, visit the ACRC section on the American Lung Association website, www.lungusa.org.
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