While unfortunately asthma is not a curable disease, for most asthmatics its can be well controlled meaning there will less symptoms or flare-ups and limits to your life. With correct medication, knowledge about the disease and skills, asthma shouldn’t stop you. There are many treatment options available when it comes to asthma. Asthma treatments vary from your basic asthma inhalers to steroids and other anti-inflammatory medicines and asthma nebulizer (Breathing Machine). (Anon., n.d.) The role that medical practitioners play with asthma is a very precise job. This role includes assessment, diagnosis, prescription of regular medications, provision of written action plans, and regular review as well as managing asthma flare-ups. Asthma-related visits to a general practitioner may occur for a variety of reasons, including: the acute or reactive management of asthma symptoms, a visit for maintenance activities, such as monitoring and prescription of regular medications and referral to other health professionals. (Anon.,
A range of emotional factors including fear, stress, anxiety, and pain can affect a person’s ability to breathe correctly and efficiently. The healthcare environment involves a considerable amount of stress and anxiety. Patients often demonstrate fear for their own well- being or
The best way to diagnose asthma is to see a doctor to review any medical and family history and discuss the type and frequency of symptoms. It is also recommended to have a physical exam and participate in a lung function tests, also known as the pulmonary function tests. Some of the tests
Breathing is a vital process for every human. Normal breathing is practically effortless for most people, but those with asthma face a great challenge. During an asthma attack, breathing is hampered, making it difficult or even impossible for air to flow through the lungs. Asthma is an increasingly common problem, and has become the most common chronic childhood disease. At least 17 million Americans suffer from it(1), and although it can be fatal, it is usually not that severe(4). There is no cure for asthma, but with proper care, it can usually be controlled.
Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. You must also remove the triggers in your environment that can make your asthma worse.
Because of the fact of how ambiguous of a disease asthma is, it makes it even more difficult to diagnose it. As previously talked about, symptoms are different with everybody and the causes to those symptoms are different, so because of that doctors find it hard to
Susceptible Individuals are at risk to curtain airborne allergens and things that trigger frequent attack. According to Barnes, (2003) allergic reaction comes from factors, such as allergens, viral infections and exercise .Other triggers such as family pets, which includes dogs, cats and hamsters can cause an allergic reaction. Smoking, dust and fumes plays a part in the environmental factors. Asthma symptoms include tightness and cough chest, wheeze and breathlessness. Airflow obstruction results from twitchiness of the muscles in the airways and inflammation resulting in swelling of the airway walls as well as accumulation of secretions (Asthma UK, 2014) over time symptoms might vary. In young children symptoms in the severity
Allergy induced asthma can be caused by allergies that range from pollen and pet dander to roaches
Usually a doctor will use a spirometer. A Spirometer is a device that has these candles on it. You blow into the Spirometer and depending on how many candles you blow out you have the possibility of Asthma and how serious it is. The more serious it is the easier it is to detect it and the more fatal the attacks are. They might also have you run on a treadmill to see how your body reacts to the exercise and they will give you the results within a few weeks. “level for the inspiratory or expiratory scan can be achieved in around 90% of children”(Salamon, Elizabeth). The tests usually take a few days and the results take a few weeks because the doctors like to be 100% correct when diagnosing Asthma because the treatment could possibly hurt the person believed to be an asthmatic if they don’t really have Asthma. If you have Asthma they will give you certain treatments to prevent the
There are several kinds of medications include anti-inflammatory agents and short acting bronchodilators. Anti-inflammatory agents are used a long acting beta agonist or corticosteroid as a maintenance drug they should not be used as a rescue inhaler. Inhaled corticosteroids are Azmacort, Flovent, Pulmicort, and Asmanex. Long acting beta agents include Serevent (Salmeterol), Formoterol, and Brovana. Inhaled corticosteroids combined with Long acting beta2- agents include Advair and Symbicort. Mast-cell-stabilizing agents include Nasacort. There are also short acting beta2- agents that are always for emergency rescue inhalers. The most prescribed and used bronchodilator is Albuterol also called Ventolin, Proair, and AccuNeb. There are also anticholinergics used as reliever medication such as Atrovent and Spiriva. Also, commonly prescribe is a combination of beta2-agent and anticholinergic is DuoNeb which is albuterol and
I reacted to duct and mold that caused me to have an asthma attack. I was told to continuously take my prescribed medicines and was told to stay away from these specific areas to help my breathing problem. I do not think asthma ever stopped me from doing anything. In grade three I started swimming four days a week, and in the summer I swam 5 days a week at a local recreation center. However, when I had my first coughing fit I was extremely scared and because it was a continuous cough and was unsure if it would stop. Overtime, I have learned that it stops an d there is a cure to all this by taking my medicine, and my inhaler. What really affects my breathing is in the winter times playing sports, being active, and doing indoor swimming can intensify my breathing and can affect my asthma. Thus, I have to make my emergency inhaler. Therefore, whenever I go swimming I always take use my inhaler morning and night. Since I visit my grandparents a lot I always make sure that I have my inhaler at both homes in emergency cases. However, sometimes I feel a little different and is self-conscious about myself because I am constantly coughing throughout class. One
Asthma affects breathing through the airways in the lungs. The airways constrict and build up with mucus, making little room for air to come in and out. "Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing."
Asthma is a disease that affects over 25 million people in the United States, including 7 million children. Asthma affects the lower airways and is characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiviness and decreased airflow. People suffer from asthma attacks, which cause the lungs to become swollen and inflamed thus making it difficult to breath. These attacks range in severity from mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest pain. These symptoms can affect people on a daily basis or on occasion (Zanni, 2013).
The screening will begin with questions about your family history of allergies and asthma as well as your symptoms. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms, how often they occur and if anything seems to trigger an asthma attack. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. It is also significant to look at if the time of day, time of year or any factors trigger or worsen these symptoms. Triggers can include allergens, air pollution, viral infections, physical activity or some medications (How, 2012). Questions about exposure to tobacco smoke, dust, and other airborne irritants as well as occupation and what types of pets you are around may be asked as well (M., 2011). It is also important to inform the doctor of any other health related problems or conditions that may interfere with the management of asthma such as reflux disease, sleep apnea, sinus infections, a runny nose, and psychological stress (How, 2012). All of these factors are considered when
Breathing techniques such as inhaling through the nose and breathing out from the mouth slowly can be helpful for a patient to be aware of. Last, the patient should always have the physician’s information if asthma attacks become more frequent or they believe their inhaler to not be helping.