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Facts and Questions About AsthmaAsthma is a serious disorder affecting the airways of the lungs with symptoms including difficulty breathing, wheezing, painless tightness in the chest, and coughing of excess mucus. According to the American Lung Association, asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions in the United States and the leading chronic illness of children. Because asthma is a relatively common medical/respiratory condition, it is frequently dismissed as less serious than it is. Asthma Awareness has increased thanks to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Each May many events are held and media is released to increase the publics understanding of Asthma and its causes. Another organization with similar goals is Asthma Action America which is a national asthma education campaign.
What questions will you find answers to in this FAQ?
What are emergency signs and symptoms of asthma?
What are the risk factors for asthma?
How is asthma managed?
How can I prevent an asthma attack?
What is asthma treated medically?
What are the benefits of timely, accurate diagnosis and treatment?
How do I create an asthma action plan
I If I show symptoms, is it important to be diagnosed by a physician?
What are public health officials doing to control the effects of asthma?
What are the goals of school systems to control the effects of asthma?
What should I do if I think I need help diagnosing or treating asthma?
Where can I go for more information?
What are emergency signs and symptoms of asthma?
- Extreme difficulty in breathing
- Bluish cast to face and lips
- Severe anxiety
- Increased pulse rate
- Sweating
What are the risk factors for asthma?
- Genetic characteristics
- More boys have asthma than girls; however, more women have asthma then men
- Environmental exposures
- Tobacco smoke
- Air pollution
- Pollen
- Allergens from animals and insects
- Weather changes
- Mold
- Viral infections
How is asthma managed?
- Patient Education
- Environmental controls
- Medications
- Monitoring
- Control of other factors affecting asthma severity
How can I prevent an asthma attack?
- Reduce exposure to common Allergens including:
- Seasonal pollens
- Year-round dust mites, molds, pets, and insect parts
- Various foods and food additives
- Work-related agents, such as latex
- Reduce exposure to common Irritants including:
- Respiratory infections
- Drugs including NSAIDs and beta blockers
- Tobacco smoke
- Pollution
- Household and industrial products
- Dust
- Emotional factors
- Hormonal factors
What is asthma treated medically?
- Long term (or control) treatments that prevent swelling in the airways which can cause an asthma attack include
- inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs
- long-acting bronchodilators
- Short term (or quick relief) treatments allow the muscles surrounding the airways to relax during an asthma attack
- It is important to work closely with your doctor when creating a path for treatment
What are the benefits of timely, accurate diagnosis and treatment?
- Symptoms can be controlled
- Disease can be controlled
- Activity limitations are not necessary
- Minimal to no adverse effects of medications
How do I create an asthma action plan?An asthma action plan contains three zones: green, yellow, and red. Each zone contains different symptoms showing the severity of the situation. Different treatments are found in each zone, so it is important to work through the plan with a physician so he/she can prescribe the correct medication and in the correct amounts.
If I show symptoms, is it important to be diagnosed by a physician?Accurate, timely diagnosis of asthma is both possible and essential. One of the tools used in the diagnosis process is a spirometer, which measures how much air can be blown out of an individuals lungs after a deep breath.
Spirometry can be performed in most school age children It is recommended at diagnosis and at regular intervals depending on asthma severity
What are public health officials doing to control the effects of asthma?
- Asthmatics are encouraged to receive an annual flu vaccine because they are at higher risk of developing complications after contracting the influenza virus.
- Harford County has implemented its own school based flu shot initiatives. Contact the Harford County Health Department for more information.
- Recently passed smoking legislation
- Occupational health and safety policies have been created improve air quality in the workplace.
What are the goals of school systems to control the effects of asthma?
- Increase education and awareness for students, parents and staff
- Put policies and procedures in place for managing children with asthma
- Keep personal asthma management plans on file at the schools
- Make medications available at all times
- Train personnel to recognize signs of an asthma attack
- Reduce or eliminate exposure to environmental irritants
- Use indoor air quality tool provided by the EPA to create a safe school environment for asthmatic students.
What should I do if I think I need help diagnosing or treating asthma?Contact your primary care or family care physician, an allergist (specializing in allergies) or pulmonologist (specializing in lung health) as soon as possible.
For more information about asthma visit the following websites:
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