Asthma, a chronic disease that affects many people, is the result of the inflammation of the air passages that carry oxygen to the parts of the lungs that allow the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen (WebMD-1, 2008). Being the most prominent long-term disease in children, many adults are asthma suffers as well (CDC, n.d.). The environment has a great amount of influence on the severity and causes of an exacerbation of asthma as it is experienced by millions of Americans (EPA, 2008).
The symptoms that present with asthma occur when the airways that carry needed oxygen for survival become blocked or narrowed by either an allergic or a non-allergic reaction (AAFA, 2005). The type of asthma a patient has is best diagnosed by a physician with the aid of assessment, diagnostic testing, and treatments.
Diagnosis:
Only a physician can diagnose a patient with asthma. The diagnosis of asthma is difficult to determine, is even more difficult in children under five years old, and is usually based on presenting signs and symptoms over a period of time with your healthcare provider as well as the use of a spirometer, which is used to measure the largest capacity of air the patient can exhale (CDC, n.d.).
Symptoms:
The signs and symptoms that are associated with asthma are chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath with rapid breathing (AAFA, 2005). The more severe symptoms may require hospitalization. Any patient who is having trouble breathing or has chest tightness is strongly encouraged to seek medical attention immediately. Attacks of asthma can be minimized by taking prescribed medications as prescribed by the physician and keeping regular follow-ups (CDC, n.d.).
Treatments:
With the ongoing research, still much study must be done to fully understand the asthma process. The two basic medications that are used to treat asthma are bronchodilators (used to relax the muscles that cause constriction of the air passages) and steroids or anti-inflammatory drugs (used to reduce swelling and mucous production) prescribed by a physician (WebMD-2, 2008) and are usually given in an inhaled method.
Resources:
The research and information regarding asthma is numerous and readily available in many types of media. However, the consumer must be conscious about the type of information and where the information is received, especially from the internet. The most reliable places for information regarding asthma, current research, and other resources are Centers for Disease Control, Asthma and Allergy Foundation, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Again, the best resource the consumer can rely on and is strongly encouraged to seek out is your primary care physician. Your physician is waiting to discuss any medical concerns and issues that pertain to your healthcare. If any person is experiencing the symptoms as described in this article, it is strongly encouraged that they seek medical attention immediately. Any chest tightness or chest pain should be evaluated immediately, regardless of age.
References:
AAFA. (2005). Asthma overview. Retrieved on August 21, 2008 from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America database.
CDC. (n.d.). Asthma. Retrieved on August 21, 2008 from the Centers for Disease Control database.
EPA. (2008). Asthma. Retrieved on August 21, 2008 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency database.
WebMD-1. (2008). What is asthma? Retrieved on August 21, 2008 from WebMD database.
WebMD-2. (2008). Asthma treatments. Retrieved on August 21, 2008 from WebMD database.
