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Asthma Facts
About 17 million Americans have
asthma. Nearly five million of them are children. Many children
outgrow asthma in their teen years. Each year, 5000 people die
from asthma.
Asthma is a disease of the lung
airways. The airways get swollen and inflamed. They react easily to
certain things, like viruses, smoke, or pollen. When the inflamed
airways react, they get narrow. This makes it hard to breathe.
There is no known cure for asthma. But
you can control it well. |
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Asthma is a disease that affects
your lungs. It is the most common long-term disease of children. It
causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness,
and nighttime or early morning coughing. It is with you all the time,
but you may have asthma attacks only when something bothers your lungs.
We know that family history contributes
to susceptibility, but in most cases we don’t know what causes asthma to
develop, and we don’t know how to cure asthma. You can control
your asthma by knowing the warning signs of an attack, avoiding things
that trigger an attack, and following the advice of your doctor. When
you control your asthma, you won’t have symptoms like wheezing or
coughing, you’ll sleep better, you won’t miss work or school, you’ll be
able to take part in all physical activities, and you won’t have to
visit the hospital.
How do I know if I
have asthma?
Symptoms of asthma may
include:
- coughing
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- chest tightness
When these symptoms get worse, it's an
"asthma attack."
Why are some people
more likely to have asthma?
- Some people are more at risk due to
their family history. And you are more likely to have asthma symptoms
if you live where the air quality is bad.
Many things may start or worsen an
asthma attack including:
- Being exposed to allergens (dust
mites, cockroaches, etc)
- Viral infections of the lungs and
airways
- Tobacco smoke and certain outside
pollutants (chemicals or dirt in the air)
- Exercise
At what age do people get asthma?
- Many older adults have asthma. Some
people develop it later in life. Others get asthma as children. The
asthma may or may not go away as they grow up.
I think I have asthma. What tests
should I have done?
- Chest x-ray
- Blood test
- Tests to measure how open your
airways are
- Tests that show whether or not you
have heart disease
How can asthma be treated?
There are many drugs used to treat
asthma. There are both prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs.
Talk with your doctor about the best medicine for you.
How do I keep my asthma under control?
- Talk with your doctor.
- Ask your doctor for a treatment
plan. Then be sure to follow it.
- Watch for early signs and respond
fast.
- Stay away from things that make your
asthma worse.
- See your doctor at least every 6
months.
What to do if someone is having an
asthma attack
- Know the signs of trouble:
- The person has stopped playing or
working and can't start again.
- They're struggling to breathe.
- They have trouble walking or
talking.
- Stay calm and relaxed.
- Remove the person from whatever
brought on the attack (the allergy trigger).
- Find the person's inhaler.
- Call 911 if the person is having
trouble breathing or if their lips or fingernails are blue.
To learn more:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute Information Center
Phone: 1-301-251-1222
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
American Lung Association
Phone: 1-800-586-4872 (1-800-LUNG USA)
www.lungusa.org
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
America
Phone: 1-800-727-8462 (1-800-7-ASTHMA)
www.aafa.org
Source:
FDA
Asthma Information
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