Showing posts with label Symptoms of asthma. Show all posts

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Complete Guide to Symptoms of asthma

This article explains symptoms of asthma in adults, symptoms of asthma in children, atypical asthma symptoms and much more.

Symptoms of asthma

The cause of exacerbation of asthma symptoms is a severe constriction, inflammation, and blockage of the mucus of the airways. The traditional symptoms of asthma include:

Cough, especially at night

Wheezing

Lack of air, shortness of breath

Heaviness in the chest, pain and sore feeling

But the symptoms can be different even for the same person at different times. All symptoms may not immediately manifest, but at different times - different. Symptoms of asthma can differ significantly from each other. For example, once - a slight exacerbation of symptoms, the next - very serious, requiring hospitalization.

It happens that a person for a long time does not feel any signs of asthma, and only sometimes this calm breaks the aggravation of symptoms, which is called an asthma attack. Others have the same symptoms every day. In addition, there are people who have asthma attacks begin only during intense physical exertion or after suffering a viral illness such as influenza.

Moderate symptoms are most common. Usually, it takes several minutes to several hours to resolve them. But with more serious attacks, which are less frequent, you may need emergency medical help. It is very important to identify and begin treatment of symptoms at the earliest stage of their development. This will prevent further development of asthma and will enable to keep the disease under control.

Definition of symptoms at the initial stage of the disease

Early warning signs are changes that appear before or at the very beginning of an attack. These symptoms can begin before the traditional symptoms of an attack and are warning signs that the condition of the disease is deteriorating.

But these signs may not be so noticeable as to distract you from your daily activities. If you learn to recognize them, you can stop the attack or prevent its further development. Such signs include:

Frequent cough, especially at night.

Dyspnea.

Increased fatigue or weakness after exercise.

Sizzling breath or cough after physical exertion.

Fatigue, rapid change of mood: a person quickly becomes sad, becomes grouchy or sullen.

Reduction or changes in lung performance, as indicated by the pneumotachometer readings.

Signs of a cold or an exacerbation of allergies (sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat, headaches).

Problems with sleep.

If there are first signs of exacerbation of symptoms, you need to take medication, as the doctor appointed.

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Symptoms of asthma[/caption]

Definition of asthma symptoms in children

Asthma affects between 10% and 12% of children and is the leading cause of chronic diseases in children. For unknown reasons, the spread of asthma in children over the years only increases. Although asthma symptoms can occur at any age, but in children the symptoms begin to appear only after 5 years.

Asthma is inflammatory processes and increased the formation of thick mucus inside the bronchus. Not all asthmatics have such a symptom as wheezing. A chronic cough with asthma can be the only obvious symptom and asthma will continue to develop, remaining unrecognized unless the cough goes into relapsing bronchitis.

Determination of the symptoms of an impending asthma attack

An asthma attack is a phenomenon in which the muscle tissues surrounding the airways are greatly reduced. This reduction is called bronchospasm. During an attack, the airways swell or become inflamed, and the glands secrete more mucus than normal.

All these factors - bronchospasm, inflammatory processes, mucus formation - cause an exacerbation of such symptoms as shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, inability to perform daily activities. Other symptoms may also appear:

Loud wheezing with inspiration and exhalation

The incessant cough

Rapid breathing

Pain or a feeling of contraction in the chest

The contraction of the muscles of the neck and chest, called retraction

It's hard to say

A sudden feeling of anxiety or panic

Pallor and excessive sweating of the face

Blue lips or fingertips

An asthma attack can very quickly develop into a severe form, so it is very important to take immediate action when the slightest signs appear.

Without an emergency use of a medication, such as an inhaler or bronchodilator, breathing becomes even more difficult. If, at this time, the pneumotachometer is used, it will show a value of less than 50%.

Since the lungs continue to contract, after a while you will not be able to use a pneumotachometer. In the end, the lungs are so compressed that there will not be enough room for air circulation, and wheezing will disappear. This is what is called "silent breathing" and this is a terrible sign. In this case, you need immediate hospitalization.

Unfortunately, very often people believe that the disappearance of wheezing is a sign of improvement, and refuse medical help.

If you do not get the right and timely medical help, then after a while you will not be able to speak and blue spots may appear around your lips. If the color of the spots changes, what is called cyanosis, then this indicates a constant decrease in the flow of oxygen into the blood. Without aggressive medical intervention, you will soon lose consciousness and, in the end, die.

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asthma medical help[/caption]

If an asthma attack begins, follow the instructions of your asthma treatment program and seek medical help immediately.

What you need to know about atypical asthma symptoms

Not everyone has the traditional symptoms of asthma, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath. Sometimes people develop non-standard symptoms that are not associated with asthma at all. Here are a few "unusual" symptoms:

Frequent breathing.

Sighing.

Fatigue.

Inability to exercise normally (such asthma is called stress asthma).

Problems with sleep (or nighttime asthma).

Anxiety.

Inability to concentrate.

Chronic cough without wheezing.

Also the symptoms of asthma may seem like symptoms of other diseases such as bronchitis, vocal cord dysfunction, even cardiovascular diseases.

It is very important to understand and be able to listen to your body. Talk to your doctor and other asthmatics. One must realize that every person can have their own symptoms.

Why do infectious diseases affect asthma exacerbation?

Sometimes a viral or bacterial infection can become a causative agent of asthma. For example, the cause of exacerbation of asthma at the moment was a cold disease. Or an asthma attack triggered a bacterial infection of the nasal sinuses. Asthmatics often have sinusitis.

It is very important to know the signs and symptoms of respiratory infections and immediately consult a doctor when they appear so that the doctor can diagnose and prescribe the treatment on time. For example, along with a bacterial infection, symptoms such as shortness of breath, shortness of breath, wheezing, can be exacerbated. In people who do not suffer from asthma, bronchial infections do not cause such symptoms. Listen to your body and warnings of an impending infection. Take timely medication prescribed by your doctor to get rid of the infection and resume control of asthma and good health.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Guide to Asthma in adults

This is a complete guide to Asthma in adults. Topics covered are Symptoms of asthma, difference between "child" and "adult" asthma, How is asthma diagnosed in adults and treatment of asthma.

Asthma in adults

If there are asthma symptoms and an accurate diagnosis is made for an adult over the age of 20, then this is considered "adult asthma." This asthma is more common in women than in men and is usually associated with allergies or allergic asthma. Half of all adults with asthma have allergies to various substances.

Also, the cause of asthma can be the result of habitual phenomena at work (such asthma is called "professional" asthma) or in a home environment: constantly encountering these conditions, the symptoms can suddenly deteriorate.

What is asthma?

Asthma - a violation of the lungs, the cause of which is:

Swelling of the respiratory tract (or their inflammation)

Formation of a large amount of mucus (more than normal)

Narrowing of the airways due to contraction and contraction of muscle tissue around the respiratory tract.

Symptoms of asthma include:

Sensation of lack of air

A frequent cough, especially at night

Sighing breath (whistling sound during breathing)

Labored breathing

What is asthma in adults?

If a doctor diagnoses asthma to a person older than 20 years, this is considered "adult asthma."

Those who are most prone to such asthma include:

Women who are currently experiencing hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause

Women taking estrogen for more than 10 years to prevent menopause

Anyone who has recently had a viral illness, such as a cold or flu

People who are obese

People with allergies, especially cats

People who are often among irritants, for example, tobacco smoke, dust, fluff or perfume with a strong odour. Irritants that cause asthma symptoms are called "asthma triggers." Asthma obtained at work is called "professional asthma."

What is the difference between "child" and "adult" asthma?

Symptoms of asthma in children can appear and pass, while in adults the symptoms can appear regularly and last for a long time. In most cases, adults need to take medication daily to monitor the course of the disease.

In adults, the volume of the lungs (volume of inhaled and exhaled in one second of air) decreases with age due to changes in muscle tissues and insufficient flexibility of the chest. It is the reduction in lung volume that does not allow doctors to determine the onset of the development of the disease - asthma.

How is asthma diagnosed in adults?

The doctor diagnoses by doing the following:

To study the medical history, to ask about the exciting symptoms, to listen to the breath

Conduct a lung function test using a device called a spirometer. With it, the amount of inhaled air is measured during a deep inspiration. The device also measures how quickly the lungs get rid of the air. Probably, before or after such examination the doctor will ask to inhale a bronchodilator (bronchodilator) of short-term action (a medicine that opens the airways by relaxing the muscles compressing them and also helps to clear the lungs of mucus).

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How is asthma diagnosed in adults[/caption]

Test with a load of methacholine. It is possible to carry out this test if the symptoms and spirometer examination does not give accurate results. During inspiration, if there is asthma, methacholine will cause spasm and constriction of the airways. During the examination, methacholine is inhaled with an aerosol before and after spirometry. The results of the test with methacholine are considered positive, but they show the presence of asthma if the lung capacity is 20% less than normal. After conducting such a survey, a bronchodilator, neutralizing the action of methacholine, is always used.

Radiography of the chest. Radiography is an image of the body, which is obtained through a small dose of radiation reflected on a special film or fluorescent screen. Radiography is used to detect not only asthma but also other diseases and conditions of the body, from bronchitis to the broken bone. A doctor can prescribe a radiograph for examining the interior of the chest, including the heart, lungs and bones. After examining the lungs, the doctor can tell whether your symptoms refer to asthma or to what other diseases. Although x-rays are used to diagnose asthma, but at the same time it often happens that the patient has asthma, the results of the X-ray are absolutely normal.

Who suffers from asthma?

Anyone at any age can get asthma. People are at greater risk:

With genetic predisposition to asthma

With the presence of various forms of allergies (allergic asthma)

Living next to smokers

Living in an industrial zone

How is asthma classified?

Asthma is divided into four categories, depending on the frequency of symptoms and objective indicators, for example, the parameters of the instrument of a pneumotachometer and / or the results of spirometry. Categories: light intermittent, easy constant, moderate constant, acute constant. The physician should determine the category of the disease and prescribe a treatment regimen for asthma, depending on the frequency of symptoms and the performance of the lungs. It is very important to remember that every person has asthma can manifest themselves in different ways in each category.

Light intermittent asthma

Symptoms worsen less than twice a week, at night during sleep - less than twice a month

Asthma attacks last not for long (from several hours to several days)

The results of lung health testing - more than 80% of the predicted value. The prognosis is usually made on the basis of age, gender and height. For a patient with asthma, the "predicted" indicator can eventually be replaced with a better one for further comparison

Light persistent asthma

Symptoms manifest more than twice a week, but not every day

The results of lung health testing - more than 80% of the predicted value

Moderate persistent asthma

Symptoms worsen daily

Symptoms of asthma affect physical activity, it occurs more than twice a week and can last several days

There is a weakening of the lungs' performance, the test results are from 60% to 80% of the predicted value

Acute persistent asthma

Symptoms are manifested constantly, not excluding nighttime, during sleep

Physical activity is limited

The lung capacity is below 60% of the predicted value

How is asthma treated?

Asthma can be controlled, but there is no single effective treatment for asthma. There are definite goals in the treatment. If they can not be achieved, this means that the body is in serious condition. In this case, you should always consult with your doctor about further treatment.

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treatment of asthma[/caption]

The goals of treatment are as follows:

Live a normal and fulfilling life

Prevent the development of chronic and constantly worrisome symptoms

Every day to go to work or study

Stop emergency doctor calls, emergency calls or hospitalizations

To take and regulate taking medication to control the course of the disease with minimal or no side effects

The correct intake of medication, as prescribed by the doctor, as well as avoiding a collision with pathogens of the symptoms of the disease - is a key moment in controlling asthma. There are two main types of medications for the treatment and prevention of asthma:

Anti-inflammatory drugs:

This is the main type of medication used to treat most cases of asthma. Anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, inhaled steroids, reduce the inflammatory process and the formation of mucus in the airways. Thanks to these preparations, the airways become less sensitive to external stimuli. But to feel the result may take several weeks of daily intake of these drugs. Anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the severity of the symptoms of the disease, improve oxygen flow through the respiratory tract, reduce their sensitivity and damage, and, consequently, reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. With a daily intake, they help control the course of the disease and even prevent its further development.

Bronchodilator:

These drugs help to relax the muscle tissue that constricts the airways. The bronchodilators act instantly: they expand the respiratory tract, which allows breathing and exhaling more oxygen, thereby normalizing breathing. These drugs also help to clear the lungs of mucus.

As soon as the airway opens as much as possible, nothing is already holding up the mucus in the lungs and it passes freely through the respiratory tract and is easily expectorated. If the medicine is of short duration, it helps to relieve or remove symptoms during a sudden asthma attack. Long-acting drugs help to control the course of the disease, as well as prevent repeated attacks.

Acceptance of medications for the treatment of asthma can be of two types: by inhaling the drug (metered-dose inhaler, powder inhaler or nebulizer) and by swallowing oral medications (tablets or liquid preparations). When taking medications at the same time to treat other diseases, you should consult your doctor about the compatibility of the medication and, if possible, reduce the number of medications taken.

Symptom monitoring

A very important part of the treatment is the tracking of whether the lungs function correctly. Follow the symptoms of asthma helps a special device - a pneumotachometer. The device allows you to always be aware of any changes in the state of the airways, which may be a sign of worsening of the disease. Daily use of a pneumotachometer may suggest how to regulate the intake of medications to maintain the normal state of the body. And also the data of this device the doctor can use for drawing up of the program of treatment.

Treatment program

Based on the medical history and the severity of the symptoms, the doctor paints a regimen called a treatment program. The program describes how to take medications, what to do if you get worse and when you need to go to the emergency room. After the doctor has made the program, make sure that you understand it correctly. If you have any questions, ask them your doctor.

Medical Facts of Bronchial asthma for common man

This article explains some medical facts of Bronchial asthma disease, which even a common man can understand easily.

Definition of Bronchial asthma

Asthma is a disease of the lungs, in particular of the respiratory tract, which narrow, become inflamed and blocked by mucus. These changes in the airways cause respiratory problems, which is characteristic of asthma.

Symptoms

Asthma makes breathing difficult by inhaling and exhaling. That's why the classic symptoms of asthma are wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. If the blockade of the airway is serious, the attack can limit physical actions or lead to the need to call an ambulance. People who have asthma under control, between attacks, the lungs are working normally or practically normal, without shortness of breath or shortness of breath.

Who is at risk?

Asthma can develop in any person at any age, both in infancy and in old age. Some children have asthma with age. Asthma is a bit more exposed to boys than girls. Asthma is more common in the black population than in the white man. Medical research suggests that the causes of asthma can be both heredity and the environment.

Airways

During breathing, air, passing through the nose or mouth, enters the large windpipe or trachea. The trachea branches into many small tubes, bronchuses, which in turn branch into even smaller tubes, bronchioles that permeate all the lungs. Bronchiols end in formations similar to pouches, which are called alveoli.

Functions

Breathing paths "work in both directions." Oxygen enters the lungs through the respiratory tract and through them carbon dioxide is removed from the body and other harmful gases. This exchange occurs in the alveoli, which suck in oxygen and remove unnecessary gases from the lungs.

Irritants of the respiratory tract

Most asthma attacks begin with irritation of the bronchioles, which provoke constriction of the airways. The main reason for such irritation is allergy and upper respiratory tract infections. However, asthma can be caused by physical exercises, acid reflux, aspirin and sulphites (which are found in dishes, certain wine and beer of most restaurants).

Construction of bronchioles, excessive mucus formation

When bronchioles are exposed to the action of stimuli, they begin to narrow. Because of this, there is very little space for air circulation. In addition, irritated bronchioles are filled with mucus, which contains cells of the immune system. The body begins to produce these cells to fight irritants. But instead mucus clogs the bronchioles and from this they narrow even more. Severe constriction of bronchioles and excessive mucus formation cause difficulty in breathing. In case of a severe attack, urgent hospitalization may be required.

Prevention and treatment

Therapy consists of medications designed to prevent an asthma attack, as well as medications used to stop an attack. An asthmatic should be extremely careful in taking medication. Medicines should be taken at strictly defined times and should not be mixed with each other. This is very important, as some drugs help only for prevention, but do not work to stop the attack. Medications for preventing and stopping an attack can be taken with the help of an inhaler.

Prevention of an asthma attack

The first step in preventing asthma attacks is to identify and avoid contact with the substances that cause the attack. It can be pets, insects, dust and humidity, tobacco smoke, fluff in pillows, woolen products and carpets with thick pile.

If these measures do not help, you need to take certain medications for prevention. Most often the doctor prescribes inhalers and / or tablets. Inhalers prescribed to prevent asthma attacks should be used daily and 2-3 times a day.

Steroid inhalers prevent inflammation, thereby reducing the formation of mucus that clogs the bronchioles. There are also non-steroidal inhalers that reduce inflammation and help prevent asthma attacks.

Long-acting inhaled bronchodilators contain a drug that prevents an asthma attack during contact with the "causative agent" of asthma. For example, with an allergic substance - the hair of domestic animals. This is important: this kind of inhaler is not effective in stopping an asthma attack.

Tablets are also used to prevent an asthma attack. Some people take steroids in tablets daily for many weeks or years. Nevertheless, doctors try to prescribe steroids in tablets only as a last resort, since they have many side effects, for example, overweight and diabetes. The newest drugs that prevent asthma attacks are the leukotriene stabilizer, for example, Accolate, Singulair and Zyflo. These drugs are used to reduce the dose (and correspondingly side effects) of steroids in tablets. Depending on the patient's condition, inhaled steroids can be replaced with a stabilizer of leukotriene.

Asthma Attack Treatment

In the treatment of the attack includes the disclosure of obstructed airways and stopping the formation of excessive amounts of mucus. Sometimes the airways are so narrowed, and the aggravation of the disease is very serious, that you need to urgently call an ambulance to: 1) open the bronchioles and 2) take intravenous steroids that reduce inflammation. Some people after the attack need some time to stay under the supervision of doctors in the hospital. If the attack is very severe, the patient is connected to the artificial respiration device until the breathing is normalized.

In less severe attacks, hospitalization may not be required. It is enough to take a fast-acting bronchodilator to stop an attack, which is much faster than the drugs used for prevention. Bronchodilators open the airways for several minutes.

After an attack within a week, you need to take oral steroids - this will reduce inflammation of bronchioles. (Taking steroids for a short period will bring fewer side effects than for a long period.) If the bacterial infection is the cause of the attack, the doctor can also prescribe antibiotics.

This is important: during an attack of asthma, you need to continue taking the prescribed medications regularly, until the doctor appoints something else.

Research continues

Prevention and effective treatment of asthma is the main subject of continuous and intensive medical research. If you or a person close to you want to know more about asthma, see a doctor.

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