Asthma, a chronic lung disease, affects approximately 300 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The prevalence of this disease is on the rise, especially in industrialized nations, and in 2007 it was the most common chronic disease in children. The severity and frequency of symptoms varies in each individual, but this disease can be a substantial burden on patients and their families.
Asthma is Chronic
Asthma is a chronic disease, meaning that it lasts for long periods of time. Symptoms may not be present every day, but flare-ups, known as asthma attacks, are recurrent. The American Lung Association reports that approximately 7 million children under the age of 18 are diagnosed with asthma, and many will have the disease for life.
Asthma Can Be Serious
During asthma attacks, the bronchial tubes, or airways, become inflamed and restrict the flow of air. Common symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and tightness in the chest. If not treated, asthma can become serious. As the airways constrict, the body may be deprived of oxygen, a condition known as respiratory distress. Sign of this include an increased breathing rate, a bluish color around the mouth or lips, blue fingernails, grunting noises, nostril flares and sweating.
In severe cases, asthma can be life-threatening. The American Lung Association reports that 3,613 deaths in the United States were due to asthma-related illness in 2006. Asthma deaths are more common in middle- to low-income countries, with more than 255,000 deaths worldwide in 2005, according to the World Health Organization.
Effective Treatment Starts Early
Asthma does not have a cure, but with proper monitoring and treatment, its symptoms can be managed. For effective treatment, asthma must be treated continually, not just during an attack. Recognizing the warning signs of asthma and treating the symptoms early can help prevent the condition from becoming serious.
Avoid Triggers
Asthma attacks are triggered by a number of factors, which differ for each person. Common triggers include cold air, allergens, air contaminants, respiratory infections, physical exercise and medications. Avoiding triggers is an important part of managing the disease.
Medications are Key
Asthma is treated with two main types of medications. Long-term medications aim to reduce inflammation in the airways, therefore preventing asthma symptoms before they start. The most common long-term medications are inhaled corticosteroids, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Although consistently taking long-term medications helps prevent asthma attacks, asthma sufferers also require short-acting, or quick-relief, medications to treat attacks as they happen. The preferred short-acting medications are inhaled beta-2 agonists, which relax the muscles of the bronchial tubes and open up the airways.
Develop a Written Asthma Plan
The key to successfully treating asthma is for the patient to take an active role. In order to effectively manage the disease, it is helpful to develop a written asthma plan. A plan should include a list of the patient's common triggers and how to avoid them. It also provides detailed instructions for how to prevent an attack and how to treat one as it occurs. The plan will describe how to track asthma flare-ups and how to monitor lung functions using peak flow tests. Finally the plan will specify the course of treatment and when to seek emergency care.
