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Asthma is a respiratory illness characterized by difficulty breathing, wheezing and constriction in the chest. Asthma attacks are the partial obstruction of the airways from an increase of mucus secretions and muscle wall constriction around the bronchioles. There is no cure for asthma but there are treatments to help relieve the asthma attacks. Some asthma attacks will subside on their own while others will need to be treated.
Asthma attacks can be caused by exposure to pollen, house dust, molds, pollution, cigarette smoke, animal fur, cold dry air, excessive exercise, stress or excitement. There are also asthma attacks for no known reason.
Early signs of an asthma attack include an itchy throat, fatigue, paleness, nervousness, or moodiness. Once an asthma attack is on its way it is important to calm oneself, relax and breath deeply. If you are prone to extreme attacks get your medications immediately.
Asthma attacks can be very disabling. Every year many people die from asthma attacks. These are mostly elderly and or people with other illnesses. With proper medical care and treatment you can get your asthma under control and live a long healthy life. You should also learn what triggers your asthma attacks and what helps relieve them.
Treatments for an asthma attack vary from patient to patient. The treatments that are available are inhalers, nebulizers (breathing machines) oral medications and sometimes steroids. For chronic asthma steroids are usually prescribed, these medications work by decreasing the
swelling and inflammation of the airways. Steroids can be taken orally or inhaled (inhalants are the most common).
Bronchodilators are usually prescribed for the person with just occasional symptoms of asthma. An inhaler can be carried with the patient in case of an asthma attack. Bronchodilators work to open up the airways and ease breathing.
A person with asthma should get regular exercise to improve lung function. Swimming is an excellent way to build lung capacity in a calm rhythmical way. While swimming the humidity of the water helps keep the mouth and the air passages from drying out and this helps keep asthma
attacks at bay. When trying new sports start out small and build up to a level of exertion you are comfortable with.
Children with asthma need to be supervised while exercising and playing to make sure they are not over-exerting and causing an asthma attack. Gone are the days when a child with asthma had to sit on the side lines and watch friends play. Careful supervision and teaching the child how not to over exert and stay calm while playing will enable them to join in the fun. Frequent resting may be required to give the lungs a rest.
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