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Asthma is a respiratory condition characterized by episodes of airflow obstruction in the bronchial tubes. Symptoms caused by this obstruction include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath. Although problems are often separated by symptom-free periods, asthma is a chronic disorder. Who Gets Asthma? Asthma tends to occur within families. The role of inheritance plays a less clear role in adult-onset asthma. People of any age may have asthma, but more than half the cases are found in children between the ages of 2 and 17. In young children, boys are nearly twice as likely to develop asthma as girls, but this gender difference tends to disappear in older age groups. There are a wide variety of "triggers" that may initiate an episode of asthma. The most common triggers are allergens, exercise, viral respiratory infections, respiratory irritants and aspirin. What Should Be Done During an Episode? Always follow the instructions of your allergist. The doctors at the Mississippi Allergy & Asthma Clinic will give patients who have been diagnosed with asthma a plan for both day-to-day management and specific instructions on what to do during an episode. In general, it is important to stay calm and take your prescribed medications. Bronchodilators are the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat an asthma episode. They relax the muscles surrounding the airways, resulting in dilation of the bronchial tubes. Bronchodilators may be inhaled, taken orally or injected. Is There a Cure for Asthma? Though it has long been treatable, a cure for asthma remains elusive. Preventive treatment, however, may minimize the difficulty an individual experiences with asthma. Scientists throughout the world are searching for specific cures. What's the Best Treatment? Prevention of symptoms is always the best form of treatment. It is important for a patient with asthma to learn what conditions prompt symptoms and avoid them whenever possible. When avoidance is impossible, preventive treatment is desirable. Various forms of preventive therapy are available. Medications may be started prior to exercise or exposure to environments that predictably produce an attack. If asthma symptoms are frequent or unpredictable, your allergist may advise you to take medications on a routine basis. Drugs used for this purpose include inhaled steroids, antileukotrienes, cromolyn and related drugs, inhaled or oral beta agonists (some of which are long acting), long-acting theophyllines, or oral steroids. For allergic patients, immunotherapy (allergy shots) may offer relief from allergens that cannot be avoided. Immunotherapy increases a patient's tolerance to the allergens that prompt asthma symptoms and appears to help control the inflammation that underlies chronic asthma. Tips for Patients and Parents of Asthmatic Children
Summary Although no cure exists for asthma, excellent treatment is available for control of symptoms. We learn more about asthma every year, and newer, more effective and safer drugs are always being developed. As a result, most patients with asthma live normal, productive lives. Research is continuing and the outlook is bright. For more information about asthma, contact your allergist.
01 Asthma The American College of Asthma & Allergy (ACAAI) offers comprehensive information and news on asthma allergy. Click here to view additional asthma information on the ACAAI website. |
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