What’s Another Name For Asthma

What Causes An Asthma Attack

An asthma attack can happen when you are exposed to asthma triggers. Your asthma triggers can be very different from someone elses asthma triggers. Know your triggers and learn how to avoid them. Watch out for an attack when you cant avoid your triggers. Some of the most common triggers are tobacco smoke, dust mites, outdoor air pollution, cockroach allergen, pets, mold, smoke from burning wood or grass, and infections like flu.

Examples Of Asthma In A Sentence

asthma USA TODAYasthmaThe Salt Lake TribuneasthmaLos Angeles Timesasthma BostonGlobe.comasthma New York TimesasthmaDetroit Free PressasthmaQuartzasthma CNN

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘asthma.’ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Whats An Asthma Attack

When you breathe normally, muscles around your airways are relaxed, letting air move easily. During an asthma attack, three things can happen:

• Bronchospasm: The muscles around the airways constrict . When they tighten, it makes the airways narrow. Air cannot flow freely through constricted airways.
• Inflammation: The airway linings become swollen. Swollen airways dont let as much air in or out of the lungs.
• Mucus production: During the attack, your body creates more mucus. This thick mucus clogs airways.

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Can Asthma Be Cured

Most people with asthma are able to control their condition if they work together with a health care provider and follow their treatment regimen carefully.

People who do not seek medical care or do not follow an appropriate treatment plan are likely to experience worsening of their asthma and deterioration in their ability to function normally.

Research For Your Health

The NHLBI is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health the Nations biomedical research agency that makes important scientific discovery to improve health and save lives. We are committed to advancing science and translating discoveries into clinical practice to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders, including asthma. Learn about the current and future NHLBI efforts to improve health through research and scientific discovery.

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What Does It Mean To Work With The Underserved

In caring for the underserved, nurses work in communities where many residents are below the poverty level, have a significant amount of chronic health problems and medical disabilities, reside in geographic isolated areas, and dont have a sufficient number of health care providers to meet the demands for service.

Causes And Inciting Factors Of Asthmatic Episodes

Asthmatic episodes may begin suddenly or may take days to develop. Although an initial episode can occur at any age, about half of all cases occur in persons younger than 10 years of age, boys being affected more often than girls. Among adults, however, women are affected more often than men.

When asthma develops in childhood, it is often associated with an inherited susceptibility to allergenssubstances, such as pollen, dust mites, or animal dander, that may induce an allergic reaction. In adults, asthma may develop in response to allergens, but viral infections, aspirin, weather conditions, and exercise may cause it as well. In addition, stress may exacerbate symptoms. Adults who develop asthma may also have chronic rhinitis, nasal polyps, or sinusitis. Adult asthma is sometimes linked to exposure to certain materials in the workplace, such as chemicals, wood dusts, and grains. These substances provoke both allergic and nonallergic forms of the disease. In most of these cases, symptoms will subside if the causative agent is removed from the workplace.

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How Do Healthcare Providers Diagnose Asthma

Your healthcare provider will review your medical history, including information about your parents and siblings. Your provider will also ask you about your symptoms. Your provider will need to know any history of allergies, eczema and other lung diseases.

Your healthcare provider may order a chest X-ray, blood test or skin test. Your provider may order spirometry. This test measures airflow through your lungs.

What Is The Mechanism Of Asthma

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These include:

• Bronchoconstriction. In asthma, the dominant physiological event leading to clinical symptoms is airway narrowing and a subsequent interference with airflow.
• Airway edema.
• Airway hyperresponsiveness.
• Airway remodeling.

Likewise, how can asthma be prevented? While there’s no cure, there are steps you can take to keep your asthma in control and prevent an attack.

Likewise, what asthma means?

Asthma: A common lung disorder in which inflammation causes the bronchi to swell and narrow the airways, creating breathing difficulties that may range from mild to life-threatening. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness.

What are the 3 types of asthma?

There are many different types of asthma, brought on by many different triggers.

• Adult-Onset Asthma. Can you get asthma as an adult?
• Allergic Asthma.

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How It Is Treated

You will usually only need a rescue inhaler to treat this mild form of asthma. You dont typically need daily medication since your symptoms only occur occasionally. However, your medication needs will be assessed based on how severe your attacks are when they do occur. Your doctor may also prescribe allergy medications if your asthma is triggered by allergies.

If your asthma is exercise induced, your doctor may instruct you to use your rescue inhaler before exercise to prevent symptoms.

What Is Severe Asthma

Severe asthma is a type of asthma that does not respond well to standard asthma treatments. The symptoms by definition, are more intense than regular asthmatic symptoms and can last for prolonged periods. Sufferers of severe asthma often find their symptoms persistent and difficult to control.

Having severe asthma can have a major impact on daily life, affecting everyday habits, work and social life.It can affect both children and adults, and can develop at any age. However, its a lot less common than a standard asthma diagnosis, affecting less than 10% of people.

Although it can be difficult to cope with, and it can take time to find the right treatment combination, it can be effectively managed. Its important that you look after yourself carefully by taking your medication exactly as prescribed, having regular asthma reviews, understanding your asthma triggers and communicating with your healthcare team, so they know when and how to adjust your medication regime.

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Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use Singulair if you are allergic to montelukast.

To make sure Singulair is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• mental illness or psychosis or

• asthma, or a history of severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or another NSAID.

The chewable tablet may contain phenylalanine and could be harmful if you have phenylketonuria .

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give Singulair to a child without a doctor’s advice.

Additional Medication For Severe Asthma

In addition to a reliever and preventer inhaler, severe asthmatics may be prescribed other treatments. You may need to try several options before your healthcare provider finds the right choice for your needs.

In addition to inhalers, treatment options include:

• Long-acting bronchodilators these can be added to a preventer inhaler and help keep the airways open for at least 12 hours.
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists a non-steroid tablet that helps to calm inflamed airways, block the effects of leukotrienes and help with allergies.
• Long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists a form of long-acting bronchodilator that can work for 12-24 hours.
• Long-acting beta-agonists another form of long-acting bronchodilator that is used to relax the muscles in the airways.
• Slow-release theophylline a non-steroid tablet that helps to relax the smooth muscles in the airways, enabling air to more easily flow through.
• Short-acting beta 2-agonists a form of quick relief medication that can be used when asthma symptoms occur.
• Daily steroids these are prescribed in tablet or liquid form and are a type of anti-inflammatory medicine. They work by helping to reduce the sensitivity in the airways.
• Monoclonal antibodies a newer form of medication for severe uncontrolled asthma. They work by blocking the activity of immune system chemicals that trigger airway inflammation.

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How Is This Medicine Best Taken

Use Primatene Mist as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• For breathing into the lungs.
• You will need to prime the pump before first use. You may also need to prime the pump if it has not been used for some time. Be sure you know when you need to prime the pump and how to do it. Talk with the doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
• Shake well and spray 1 time into the air before each dose.
• Do not get Primatene Mist in the eyes.
• Do not breathe out into the inhaler. Put the cap back on after you use your dose.
• Follow how to clean carefully.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If you take Primatene Mist on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Many times Primatene Mist is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.

How Can I Manage And Treat My Eib

With proper management, you can enjoy exercise and achieve your full potential. Proper management requires that you:

• Take steps to prevent symptoms
• Take medicine before exercising
• Do a proper warm up for 6 to 10 minutes before periods of exercise or vigorous activity
• Carefully watch your respiratory status before, during and after exercise

Children With EIB Inform teachers and coaches if you have a child with EIB. Kids with EIB should be able to take part in activities they just may need medication before an activity.

Athletes With EIB If you are an athlete, disclose your medicines and adhere to standards set by the U.S. Olympic Committee. Request a list of approved and prohibited medications from the Committee hotline at 1-800-233-0393.

Also Check: Can Allergies Cause Asthma Like Symptoms

Symptoms Of A Severe Asthma Attack

If you suddenly experience a severe asthma attack, then you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• A bluish tint to your lips, face or fingernails
• Feeling that you need to stand up or sit in order to try and breathe more easily
• Feeling confused or agitated
• Being unable to speak in full sentences
• Feeling very short of breath and unable to inhale or exhale fully
• Rapid breathing
• Symptoms that dont get better after using a reliever inhaler.

With a very severe asthma attack, the usual symptoms of wheezing or coughing might not worsen. This is because your airways may be so affected that you cant get enough air in or out of your lungs to cause wheezing sounds or make you cough.

It is a medical emergency and you should go to a hospital immediately. Compared to mild asthma attacks that may only last a few minutes, severe asthma attacks can last from hours to days and may be life-threatening if left untreated.

Assessment tools

What Types Of Medicines Treat Or Prevent Eib

There are three types of medicines to prevent or treat the symptoms of EIB. Your health care provider can help you find the best treatment program for you based on your asthma history and the type of activity.

• Short-acting beta agonist / bronchodilator : This medication can prevent symptoms when taken 10 to 15 minutes before exercise. It will help prevent symptoms for up to four hours. This same medication can also treat and reverse the symptoms of EIB should they occur.
• Long-acting bronchodilator: This needs to be taken 30 to 60 minutes before activity and only once within a 12-hour period. Salmeterol can help prevent EIB symptoms for 10 to 12 hours. This medication is for preventing symptoms. It does not offer any quick relief, so it not for treating symptoms once they begin.
• Mast cell stabilizers: Cromolyn sodium or nedocromil sodium need to be taken 15 to 20 minutes before exercise. These medications may also help to prevent the late phase reaction of EIB that some people experience. These medications are only for preventing EIB because they do not relieve symptoms once they begin. Some individuals use one of these medicines in combination with a short-acting bronchodilator.

If you have frequent symptoms with usual activity or exercise, talk to your doctor. An increase in your long-term control medications may help. Long-term control medicines, such as inhaled steroids, can help EIB.

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Ipratropium Inhalation Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease — Maintenance:

Inhalation aerosol: 2 inhalations orally four times a day, or as needed up to 12 inhalations in 24 hoursNebulizer inhalation solution: 500 mcg three or four times a day by oral nebulization, with doses 6 to 8 hours apartUse:-Maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , including chronic bronchitis and emphysema

Usual Pediatric Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease — Maintenance:

Nebulizer inhalation solution:Less than 12 years: Safety has not been established.12 years or older: 500 mcg three or four times a day by oral nebulization, with doses 6 to 8 hours apartUse:

What Does Asthma Feel Like

Asthma is marked by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, with extra sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma have symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus.

There are three major signs of asthma:

• Airway blockage. When you breathe as usual, the bands of muscle around your airways are relaxed, and air moves freely. But when you have asthma, the muscles tighten. Itâs harder for air to pass through.
• Inflammation. Asthma causes red, swollen bronchial tubes in your lungs. This inflammation can damage your lungs. Treating this is key to managing asthma in the long run.
• Airway irritability. People with asthma have sensitive airways that tend to overreact and narrow when they come into contact with even slight triggers.

These problems may cause symptoms such as:

• Coughing, especially at night or in the morning
• Wheezing, a whistling sound when you breathe
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble sleeping because of breathing problems

Not every person with asthma has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one and severe during another.

Some people with asthma may go for long periods without having any symptoms. Others might have problems every day. In addition, some people may have asthma only during exercise or with viral infections like colds.

When to see your doctor

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Prevention And Management Of Severe Asthma

Alongside taking your medication as prescribed, the best way to reduce the risk of severe asthma attacks and worsening symptoms is to avoid triggers as much as possible.

As part of your asthma management plan, its important to monitor your severe asthma symptoms. Its useful to keep a written record of your symptoms, when they occur and any triggers that may be involved. For example, your symptoms might be triggered by environmental factors, such as seasonal pollen. For women, a change in hormone levels may make things worse.

Further information: webinars and learning modules

There Are Many Different Types Of Asthma Brought On By Many Different Triggers

If youre struggling with asthma symptoms trouble breathing, a persistent cough or tightness in the chest an allergist can help you take control by providing a diagnosis and identifying the underlying causes.

Learn about the triggers and treatment for allergic asthma and how an allergist can help you manage allergy and asthma symptoms.

Read Also: Asthma Triggered By Allergies

Who Can Get Asthma

Anyone can develop asthma at any age. People with allergies or people exposed to tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke are more likely to develop asthma.

Statistics show women tend to have asthma more than men, and asthma affects Black Americans more frequently than other races.

When a child develops asthma, healthcare providers call it childhood asthma. If it develops later in life, its adult-onset asthma.

Children do not outgrow asthma. They may have fewer symptoms as they get older, but they could still have an asthma attack. Your childs healthcare provider can help you understand the risks.

What Should I Avoid While Using Ipratropium Inhalation

Do not get ipratropium inhalation in your eyes, especially if you have glaucoma. Ipratropium inhalation accidentally sprayed into the eyes can cause blurred vision or eye irritation, and may make glaucoma worse.

This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

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What Are The Common Treatment Options For Asthma

Long-term control and prevention are key methods to stop asthma attacks before they start. Treatment usually involves recognizing and avoiding the triggers as much as possible.

There is currently no cure for asthma, but treatment can help control the symptoms, so patients may be able to live a normal, active life. The following are treatments commonly used for asthma.

• Inhalers: This may relieve symptoms when they occur and stop symptoms developing . Some people need an inhaler that does both . The inhalers are generally beta-agonists such as salbutamol, salmeterol or a combination of beta-agonist and steroid.
• Tablets: Patients may also need to take tablets if using an inhaler alone is not helping control their symptoms.
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists : LTRAs are the main tablets used for asthma. They also come in the syrup and powder form.
• Theophylline: Theophylline may also be recommended if other treatments are not helping to control the symptoms.
• Steroid tablets: Steroid tablets may be recommended if patients are unable to take any of the above medications to control the symptoms. They may be given as an immediate treatment or every day or as a long-term treatment to prevent the symptoms.