Typically, asthma attacks are the result of acute spasms in the muscles surrounding your bronchi, which constricts or narrows your airways. Inflammation to the inside walls of your bronchi increases which narrows your airways even further. To top it all off, cells in your bronchi can generate additional mucus, which adds to the narrowing. The result is that you may feel as though you are “starving for air.”

Asthma Symptoms

Symptoms you’d normally experience during an asthma episode can include chest tightness, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Asthma attacks can last minutes or hours. They certainly are not all the same, some are much more severe than others. In extreme cases, vital organs will not receive enough oxygen, leading to death.

There are two forms of asthma, allergic and nonallergic. They often occur together. Because asthma symptoms may resemble those of other diseases it is difficult to distinguish it from other conditions making asthma difficult to diagnose conclusively. For example, bronchitis, lower respiratory infections and emphysema share many of the same symptoms as asthma.

Allergic Asthma

Allergic asthma can be triggered by your exposure to something your body is allergic to. Some of the more common asthma provoking allergens, also called asthma triggers, include environmental pollutants, animal dander, food additives such as sulfites, mold, chemicals, drugs, dust mites, cockroaches, exhaust fumes, feathers, and tobacco smoke.

Non-Allergic Asthma

Nonallergic asthma can be triggered by temperature changes, laughing, cold air, extreme dryness or humidity, low blood sugar, anxiety, exercise, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), adrenal disorders and stress. Cardiac asthma is a non-allergic type of asthma caused by heart failure.

Intrinsic Asthma

Intrinsic asthma, a nonallergic asthma, tends to appear during upper respiratory viral infections, is many times associated with bronchitis or sinusitis, and usually appears during adulthood. Intrinsic asthma sufferers seem particularly vulnerable to emotional stress, exercise, changes in the weather and other factors which are related to inner feelings.

The cause of Asthma is a mystery. No one knows what causes it, although a hereditary link to Asthma was discovered in late 1999.

Adults over the age of 65 and children under the age of 16, especially those living in urban areas are most likely to suffer from asthma. It is the number one cause of school absenteeism and the number one cause of hospitalization for children.

Asthma Medications and Treatments

There are several established asthma medications and treatments, as well as several new and promising treatment options on the horizon. In general, there are three groups of allergy medications:

• quick relief asthma medications
• long term (controller) asthma medications
• allergy induced asthma medications

Within the three general groups above your doctor will recommend your asthma treatment based on your individual needs. For example, pills, inhalants and injections are available, each with their respective positive and negative effects. In fact, inhaled and systemic bronchodilators and corticosteroids are routinely prescribed, depending on the circumstances.

The bad news is that there is no cure for asthma. The good news is that asthma is very treatable and manageable.

Asthma – What is it? was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

Related Articles:

1. Quick-Relief Asthma Medications
2. Asthma Triggers – Do you know what yours are?
3. Acute Asthma Episode – Common Signs

Inhaled Short-acting Beta-adrenergic and Beta2-adrenergic Agonists

Inhaled short-acting beta-adrenergic and beta2-adrenergic agonists are usually the best asthma medications for immediately relieving asthma attacks. They may be taken:

• During an acute asthma attack.
• When you first begin to feel a shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness.
• Before you feel any symptoms or signs of an asthma episode but your breathing is weaker.

These bronchodilators begin their work within minutes and can last anywhere from two to six hours. Brand names include:

• Albuterol
• Bitolterol
• Levalbuterol
• Pirbuterol

Oral and Intravenous Corticosteroids

Oral and intravenous corticosteroids may be taken to treat acute asthma attacks. They can take a few hours up to a few days to be fully effective. There are serious side effects related to the long-term use of oral and intravenous corticosteroids, which may include osteoporosis (loss of bone mineral), decreased resistance to infection, thinning of the skin, high blood pressure, cataracts, and muscle weakness. Brand names include:

• Prednisone
• Prednisolone
• Methylprednisolone
• Hydrocortisone

Anticholinergic Asthma Medications

Anticholinergic asthma medications are normally used to treat acute asthma attacks, in combination with short acting beta-adrenergic and beta2-adrenergic agonists. These medications are designed to further dilate (widen) your airways after you’ve been given a short acting beta-adrenergic or Beta2-adrenergic agonist. When used alone anticholinergic asthma medications are only marginally effective. Anticholinergic asthma medications are used mainly by doctors in emergency departments. Brand names include:

• Ipratropium

Quick-Relief Asthma Medications was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

Related Articles:

1. Long-term Controller Asthma Medications
2. Asthma – What is it?
3. Asthma Attack Action Plan – Are you prepared?

If You're Having an Acute Asthma Episode, Contact Your Doctor Immediately

Common signs of an acute asthma episode are:

• Your coughing and/or wheezing will not stop.
• You’re breathing very fast but can’t catch your breath(Tachypnea).
• Your chest feels tight.
• You’re feeling tired AND out of breath.
• You’re agitated and anxious.
• Your pulse rate has increased.
• You’ve got allergy-like symptoms, including but not limited to a runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, scratchy throat.
• Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath while you’re exercising or immediately afterward.
• You feel chest or abdominal pain.

Common signs and symptoms of increasing respiratory distress and acute breathing difficulty can include:

• Your inability to complete a sentence.
• You’re experiencing retractions (increased use of chest, neck, or abdominal muscles).
• You need to sit or lean forward in order breathe easier.

Make sure that you have an Asthma Action Plan in place so that you can successfully and efficiently regain control and normalize your breathing. Read Asthma Attack Action Plan – Are you prepared? as a primer if you haven’t set one up for yourself yet.

Also, be sure to read Asthma Triggers – Do you know what yours are?, Asthma Triggers – Is Your Home Causing Your Asthma?, Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution in Southern California and Indoor Asthma Triggers – Asthma Proof Your Home if you’re unclear about your triggers or what you can do to help yourself.

The absolute best way to get through an acute asthma episode is to never have to deal with one.

There is no reason why you can’t fully and confidently participate in the life of your choice. Camp, hike, bike, jog, ski, join sports leagues, take exercise classes. Just be sure you have planned ahead – just in case.

Acute Asthma Episode – Common Signs was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

Related Articles:

1. Asthma Attack Action Plan – Are you prepared?
2. Peak Flow Meters – Essential Asthma Management Tools
3. Quick-Relief Asthma Medications

• Tobacco use or second-hand smoke
• Exposure to cold air or sudden temperature change
• Colds or respiratory infections
• Air pollution or fumes
• Allergic reactions to pollen or mold
• Chalk dust
• Animal dander from cats, dogs, and other furred animals
• Paints
• Feathers or feathered animals
• Cleaning agents
• Cockroaches
• New furnishings or equipment
• Dust, dust mites
• Pesticides
• Vigorous exercise
• Strong odors such as dry erase markers, magic markers, perfumes or glue/paste

You can and should minimize your exposure from potential triggers from the environment by:

• Avoiding tobacco use or second-hand smoke.
• Reducing indoor humidity.
• Have your heating and ventilation systems serviced and cleaned regularly.
• Limiting your outdoor activities when pollen counts are high.
• Keep your environment clean and dust free.
• Avoid using strong-smelling cleansers and heavy perfumes.
• Warm-up before doing any vigorous exercise.
• Wear a scarf around your face during cold weather.
• Take a flu shot annually to protect yourself from flu exposure.
• Avoid furred or feathered pets.
• Reduce carpet and upholstered furniture in your home.

Try to isolate your particular triggers and do everything you can to avoid or minimize your exposure to them. The best way to deal with an asthma episode is to not have one.

If you’re interested in more detailed articles on asthma triggers, please see: Asthma Triggers – Is Your Home Causing Your Asthma?, Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution in Southern California and Indoor Asthma Triggers – Asthma Proof Your Home.

Asthma Triggers – Do you know what yours are? was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

Related Articles:

1. Asthma Proof Your Home
2. Asthma Triggers – Is Your Home Causing Your Asthma?
3. Acute Asthma Episode – Common Signs

Write Your Own Asthma Action Plan

Talk to your doctor and your health care providers right away. Ask them to be clear about what actions they recommend you take and what they suggest you do in a worst case scenario. Ask them questions if you’re unclear about what they’re telling you to do. Make sure you’re satisfied with their answers!

Do not stop there.

Talk to family, friends and even co-workers about what steps they can help you with, if needed. Your life and well being could depend on it.

Here are some steps generally included in many recommended action plans:

1. Take a quick relief asthma medication immediately!
2. Remain calm.
3. Sit in a comfortable position and lean forward to help yourself breathe.
4. Breathe slowly and deeply.
5. Immediately call your health care provider or seek emergency care if:
   • Your symptoms haven’t improved within 20-30 minutes of taking your quick relief asthma medication.
   • Your peak flow measurement is in the red zone.
   • You’re having trouble walking and talking because of shortness of breath.
   • You’re struggling to breathe.
   • Your fingernails or lips are turning blue.
6. Do the best you can to measure your peak flow before and after treatment.

Treatment, education and teamwork can greatly improve your quality of life and improve your chances for the successful and effective soothing of your asthma symptoms.

Prepare and practice your action plan until you know exactly what to do and exactly who to contact in a worst case scenario without hesitation or second thought. Your life depends on it.

Asthma Attack Action Plan – Are you prepared? was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

Related Articles:

1. Peak Flow Meters – Essential Asthma Management Tools
2. Acute Asthma Episode – Common Signs
3. Asthma Help – When You Need to Talk with Your Doctor