You are on page 1of 4

Asthma

Contents of this page: Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests Treatment Support Groups Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Lungs

Spirometry

Asthma

Normal versus asthmatic bronchiole

Peak flow meter

Asthmatic bronchiole and normal bronchiole

Common asthma triggers

Exerciseinduced asthma

Respiratory system

Spacer use - series

Metered Nebulizer dose inhaler use - series use - series

Peak flow meter use series Alternative names Return to top Bronchial asthma; Exercise induced asthma - bronchial Definition Return to top Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, characterized by periodic attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top Asthma is a disease in which inflammation of the airways causes airflow into and out of the lungs to be restricted. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles of the bronchial tree become tight and the lining of the air passages swells, reducing airflow and producing the characteristic wheezing sound. Mucus production is increased. Most people with asthma have periodic wheezing attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some asthmatics have chronic shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Other asthmatics may have cough as their

predominant symptom. Asthma attacks can last minutes to days, and can become dangerous if the airflow becomes severely restricted. In sensitive individuals, asthma symptoms can be triggered by inhaled allergens (allergy triggers), such as pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, or pollens. Asthma symptoms can also be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, tobacco smoke and other pollutants, stress, food, or drug allergies. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) provoke asthma in some patients. Asthma is found in 3-5% of adults and 7-10% of children. Half of the people with asthma develop it before age 10, and most develop it before age 30. Asthma symptoms can decrease over time, especially in children. Many people with asthma have an individual and/or family history of allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema. Others have no history of allergies or evidence of allergic problems. Symptoms Return to top wheezing o usually begins suddenly o is episodic o may be worse at night or in early morning o aggravated by exposure to cold air o aggravated by exercise o aggravated by heartburn (reflux) o resolves spontaneously o relieved by bronchodilators (drugs that open the airways) cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production shortness of breath that is aggravated by exercise breathing that requires increased work intercostal retractions (pulling of the skin between the ribs when breathing) Emergency symptoms: extreme difficulty breathing bluish color to the lips and face severe anxiety due to shortness of breath rapid pulse sweating decreased level of consciousness (severe drowsiness or confusion) during an asthma attack Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease: nasal flaring chest pain tightness in the chest abnormal breathing pattern, in which exhalation (breathing out) takes more than twice as long as inspiration (breathing in) breathing which temporarily stops Signs and tests Return to top Listening to the chest (auscultation) during an episode reveals wheezing. However, lung sounds are usually normal between episodes. Tests may include: pulmonary function tests peak flow measurements

chest X-ray allergy testing by skin testing or serum tests arterial blood gas eosinophil (a type of white blood cell) count

Treatment Return to top Treatment is aimed at avoiding known allergens and respiratory irritants and controlling symptoms and airway inflammation through medication. Allergens can sometimes be identified by noting which substances cause an allergic reaction. Allergy testing may also be helpful in identifying allergens in patients with persistent asthma. Common allergens include: pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, and pollens. Common respiratory irritants include: tobacco smoke, pollution, and fumes from burning wood or gas. There are two basic kinds of medication for the treatment of asthma: Long-term control medications -- used on a regular basis to prevent attacks, not for treatment during an attack. o inhaled steroids (Azmacort, Vanceril, AeroBid, Flovent) prevent inflammation o leukotriene inhibitors (Singulair, Accolate) o long-acting bronchodilators (Foradil, Serevent) help open airways o cromolyn sodium (Intal) or nedocromil sodium o aminophylline or theophylline (not used as frequently as in the past) o combination of anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator, using either separate inhalers or a single inhaler (Advair Diskus) o anti-IgE therapy (Xolair), a new injection treatment used in patients with more severe asthma Quick relief (rescue) medications -- used to relieve symptoms during an attack. o short-acting bronchodilators (Proventil, Ventolin, Xopenex, and others) o oral or intravenous corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone) stabilize severe episodes People with mild asthma (infrequent attacks) may use relief medication as needed. Those with persistent asthma should take control medications on a regular basis to prevent symptoms from occuring. A severe asthma attack requires a medical evaluation and may require hospitalization, oxygen, and intravenous medications. A peak flow meter, a simple device to measure lung volume, can be used at home to help you "see an attack coming" and take the appropriate action, sometimes even before any symptoms appear. If you are not monitoring asthma on a regular basis, an attack can take you by surprise. Peak flow measurements can help show when medication is needed, or other action needs to be taken. Peak flow values of 50-80% of an individuals personal best indicate a moderate asthma attack, while values below 50% indicate a severe attack. Support Groups Return to top The stress caused by illness can often be helped by joining a support group, where members share common experiences and problems. See asthma and allergy support group. Expectations (prognosis) Return to top There is no cure for asthma, though symptoms sometimes decrease over time. With proper self management and medical treatment, most people with asthma can lead normal lives. Complications Return to top respiratory fatigue

pneumothorax death side effects of the medication used

Calling your health care provider Return to top Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you or your child experience mild asthma symptoms (to discuss treatment options). Call your health care provider (or go to the emergency room) for moderate shortness of breath (shortness of breath with talking, peak flow 50-80% of personal best), if symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or an attack requires more medication than recommended in the prescription. Go to the emergency room for severe shortness of breath (shortness of breath at rest, peak flow less than 50% of personal best), if drowsiness or confusion develops, or for severe chest pain. Prevention Return to top Asthma symptoms can be substantially reduced by avoiding known allergens and respiratory irritants. If someone with asthma is sensitive to dust mites, exposure can be reduced by encasing mattresses and pillows in allergen-impermeable covers, removing carpets from bedrooms, and by vacuuming regularly. Exposure to dust mites and mold can be reduced by lowering indoor humidity. If a person is allergic to an animal that cannot be removed from the home, the animal should be kept out of the patient's bedroom. Filtering material can be placed over the heating outlets to trap animal dander. Exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollution, industrial dusts, and irritating fumes should also be avoided. Allergy desensitization may be helpful in reducing asthma symptoms and medication use, but the size of the benefit compared with other treatments is not known. Update Date: 10/27/2004
Updated by: Frederic F. Little, M.D., Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Adam makes no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, currentness, or timeliness of the content, text or graphics. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

C:\My Documents\MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Asthma.htm

You might also like