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Archive for the ‘Asthma’ Category

Asthma is a state that affects the respiratory system of a human being. The airways swell and make air way passage through them difficult. As an effect, asthma symptoms are felt and they consist of;

coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and stiffness in the chest. Asthma disease has no cure and thus prevention is the only sure way of controlling it.

Symptoms for asthma vary from one person to another and the most familiar symptoms of asthma are coughing, wheezing and running out of breath. The different types of asthma that now present are explained below:

Extrinsic: This is also known as allergic asthma and is the one, which most asthmatic patients suffer from. As its given name suggests, this condition is persuaded due to an external factors called allergens. Some of the most

common allergens are wood dust, pollen, pollutants, animal dander chemicals, and smoke.

Intrinsic: Allergens are not the reason for this type. The major inducer for this kind may be perfumes, cleaning agents, work out, emotions, cold air, fumes etc. Intrinsic asthma generally occurs in people over the age of 40 and is less receptive to treatments compared to the other types. As a result the best way to treat this is to keep away from the stimulant causing the reaction.

Seasonal: Climatic changes can also lead to asthmatic effects in a number of people. Some people may have common attacks in spring compared to winter Read the rest of this entry »

To survive with asthma is to really always be worried about whether you are getting sufficient oxygen and to keep away from having an asthma attack. Asthma basically is a very difficult and hard health condition to live with. It affects a broad range of individuals and thus there is no precise health segment of the population that mainly is prone to this situation. One of the harsh cases is really in the case of pediatrics and kids. It is very hard for these individuals because kids on the average love to live a very lively and exciting life. They find irresistible to go out with their friends and play sports. Though, it is not easy to tell this kid that he will have to incise back on these activities because they may risk not getting adequate

oxygen into their lungs and system and thus possibility an asthma attack. Some diseases and health conditions seem to only have an effect on a certain section of the population. Though, asthma seems to actually not distinguish in this regard and can have an effect on anyone at any age.

That is basically what happens in the instance of these individuals with these health conditions. When they do not get an adequate amount of oxygen they run the risk of experiencing other very severe health difficulty that may happen when there is a short of of oxygen. This really may lead to much more severe health conditions as oxygen is the most significant and basic element to life. With no oxygen one would not live and with sufficient oxygen we would live but could be harming our bodies and thus it is of the extreme importance that adequate good oxygen is being taken in by the body. Read the rest of this entry »

Medicines for asthma are mainly of two types. According to symptoms and nature of asthma, different types of medicines are used. For quick relief ‘reliever’ medicines are used. For long term treatment of persistent asthma controller medicines are used.

Relievers

Quick acting bronchodilators are known as relievers. These medicines are taken at the first signs of asthma symptoms or in early phase.

Quick acting bronchodilators open the airways quickly by relaxing the tightening muscles of the airways. They can just relieve symptoms but cannot prevent the swelling of the airways.

Following are some of the reliever medicines:

Beta 2 agonists (short acting): – terbutaline, salbutamol etc.

Methylxanthines (short acting): – aminophylline, theophylline etc.

Anticolingeries: – iraprodium bromide.

Generally patients are advised by doctors to take bronchodilator medicine at the earliest stage of asthmatic attack like cough, wheezing, chest tightness etc. For serious attacks of asthma anti-inflammatory medicines may be taken.

Controllers

For controlling persistent asthma controller medicines are used long acting bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medicines are controllers. Read the rest of this entry »