Asthma is a lung condition that makes the primary airways—known as the bronchi—in the lungs swollen and inflamed all of the time. People who have asthma are more sensitive than other people to things inhaled from the environment, known as triggers.

1. WHAT IS ASTHMA
Overview
Asthmaisa lungconditionthatmakesthe primaryairways—knownasthe bronchi—inthe lungsswollen
and inflamedall of the time.Peoplewhohave asthmaare more sensitivethanotherpeople tothings
inhaledfromthe environment, knownastriggers.
These triggersmake the musclesinanasthmasufferer’slungstighten,constrictingthe airpassagesand
makingbreathingdifficult.Inaddition,cellsinthe lungsproduce more mucusinresponse toatrigger.
The mucus can clog the bronchial tubes,whichcontributestobreathingproblems.The airwaysalso
swell andbecome inflamedwithwhite bloodcells.
Whenthe lungsreact to a trigger,what’sknownasan “asthmaattack” can occur. Wheezing,coughing
and/ortightnessinthe chestandshortnessof breathare all hallmarksymptomsof aclassicasthma
attack. Asthmacan be controlledwiththe properdiagnosisandtreatment.The National Centerfor
HealthStatistics(adivisionof the U.S.CentersforDisease Control andPrevention,orCDC) reportedthat
18.9 millionAmericanadultsand7.1 millionchildrensufferedfromasthmain2011. The conditionis
becomingmore commonandmore severe acrossall age,sex and racial groups.
Asthmatypicallydevelopsduringchildhood.Butmanypeople developthe conditioninadulthood,after
age 20—knownasadultonsetasthma.Some individualshave theirfirstasthmaattackafter age 50.
Who’s at Risk?
Obesitysignificantlyincreasesaperson’sriskof developingthe condition.Heredityisalsothoughtto
playa role.Childrenof parentswithasthmaare at greaterriskfor developingthe condition.
Pollution,poorairqualityinurbanenvironments,povertyandlackof patienteducationare alsofactors
contributingtorisingasthmaandasthma-relatedcomplicationrates.People whohave allergiesare at
an increasedriskof developingasthma,andthose raisedinenvironmentswhere theywere exposedto
cigarette smoke alsohave amuch higherincidence of the condition.
Women and Asthma
Womenmay firstdevelop asthmaduringorafterpregnancy,thoughthe conditionmayalsoimprove
duringpregnancy.There issome evidence thatasthmamaybe affectedbyhormonal changesduringa
woman’scycle andcan be triggeredpriortoor duringthe menstrual period.Womenare alsomore likely
than mento die fromasthma.
Researchersaren’tsure whysome people’sairwaysare more sensitive tothingsinthe environment.
Asthmasufferersmayhave allergiestocertainproteins,knownasallergens,whichare usuallyairborne
and can triggeran attack. But notall asthma sufferershave definedallergies.Anestimated70 percentof
people withasthmahave airborne allergies.

2. Common Asthma Triggers
Commonallergensinclude:dustmites,mold,pollen,cockroaches,animal danderandcertainfoodsor
chemicalscommonlyusedinfoodprocessing.Contrarytopopularbelief,dogandcat fur don’tcause
allergies.Rather,aproteinfoundinthe pet’ssaliva,danderandurine causesallergiesinsome
individuals.Otherthingscanirritate the already-sensitiveairpassagesof asthmaor allergysufferers.
Commonirritantsinclude cigarettesmoke,coldairandpollution.Exercise andstressalsocantriggeran
asthmaattack.
Controllingasthmaincludesshort-termrelief of symptomsandlong-termstrategiestopreventattacks
fromoccurring.Medicationsandbehavioral approaches,suchasavoidingasthmatriggers,forexample,
are bothimportantto managingasthmasuccessfully.Anothercritical partof asthmamanagementis
educationandclose consultationwithyourhealthcare team.Newermedicationsare available,and
oldermethodsare beingimprovedorhave beenwithdrawnfromthe market.
Asthmasymptomsthatrecur frequently,evenwhenmedicationistakenregularly,canbe a signthat a
reassessmentwithahealthcare professionalisnecessary.
Diagnosis
While primarycare providerscandiagnose andtreatasthma,consultationwithaspecialist,suchasan
allergistorpulmonaryorlungspecialist,maybe necessary.Asthmasymptomsare sometimesmistaken
for a bacterial infection.Antibioticsare notusuallyeffective incontrollingasthma.Pulmonaryorlung
functiontestingisessential tomakingthe properdiagnosis.
Moderate and mildasthmaattacks are commonfor asthma sufferers.Duringthese attacks anasthma
sufferermayfeel restless,feel herchesttighten,wheeze and/orcoughupmucus.Severe attacks
interruptbreathing,causingbreathlessness,difficultytalkingandeventuallylossof consciousness,if not
treatedimmediately.Asthmasymptomsandtheirseveritycanvarygreatly,buttheyshouldalwaysbe
takenseriously.
Commonsymptomsof asthmainclude:
 dry cough,especiallyatnightor as a response tocertain“triggers”or allergens,suchasdustor
pets
 a feelingof tightnessorpressure in yourchest
 difficultybreathing
 wheezing—whichsoundslikeawhistlingsound—whenyouexhale
 shortnessof breathafterexercise
 coldsthat migrate to yourchestor don’t go awayfor 10 daysor more
 wakingupat nightwithshortnessof breath
Commonasthmatriggersinclude the following:
 dustmites

3.  pollens
 molds
 petdander(proteininpetfur,salivaandurine)
 cockroaches
 viral respiratoryinfections
 certainmedications,suchasaspirinandothernonsteroidalanti-inflammatories,andbeta
blockers
 exercise
 stress
 menstrual cyclesinsome women
 irritants(tobaccosmoke andsome scentedproductsandchemicals)
 foodallergies
If you are experiencingone ormore of the symptomsassociatedwithasthmaandhave neverreceived
treatmentormedicationforit,itis veryimportantthatyou make an appointmentwithahealthcare
professionalsoon.Toaccuratelydiagnose yourcondition,yourhealthcare professionalwillaskyou
questionsaboutyoursymptoms,performaphysical examandconductlungfunctiontests.
Asthmasymptomsare oftenassociatedwithotherillnessesinolderadults,suchaschronicobstructive
pulmonarydisease (COPD),gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) andsinusitis.COPDisa persistent
blockage of the air passagescausedbyemphysemaorchronicbronchitis.Emphysemaoccurswhenthe
wallsof the alveoli—ortinyairsacs—inthe lungsare damaged.Thisdamage makesthe aveoli less
elasticand,therefore,lesseffectiveatpassingoxygenintothe bloodandremovingcarbondioxidefrom
the blood, leadingtoshortnessof breath.Itismostcommonamong people whohave smokedthe
equivalentof one packof cigarettesperday or more for 10 years.
Chronicbronchitis,whichproducesapersistentcoughnotrelatedtoa coldor othermedical condition,
causesinflammationof the airways,whichproducesmucusandcausesmuscle spasms.
It isestimatedthatmore than75 percentof people withasthmaalsoexperience GERD,whichcauses
the stomach’sdigestive juicestobackupor “reflux”intothe esophagus—the passagewayforfoodfrom
the mouthto the stomach.Overtime,the esophagusbecomesinflamedorpermanentlydamaged.
Chronicheartburn,cough,snoring,wheezingandhoarsenessare some symptomsof GERD.
Asthmaand sinusitisfrequentlycoexist,andmanypatientswithasthmawon’timprove unlesstheir
sinusitisistreated.Additionally,manyonlygetasthmawhentheirsinusitisworsens.Thus,acomplete
assessmentof asthmaalwaysrequiresareview of the upperairway,includingthe sinuses.
Teststhat measure yourairfloware a primarytool inthe diagnosisof asthma.Specialistsandsome
primaryhealthcare professionalswilluse aspirometer,whichisamachine that measureshow muchair
youblowout eachsecond.Anothertestemploysapeakflow metertomeasure how muchairyou can
breathe outina fastblast.These testsare simple andpainless,butofferrevealinginformationabout
your airflow.Yourhealthcare professional mightalsomeasure yourairflow before andaftertreatment

4. witha bronchodilator,amedicine thatrelaxestightmusclesinthe airways,tojudge reversibilityor
improvementwithabronchodilator,the hallmarkof asthma.
Othertestsmay be administeredtoassessyoursensitivitytospecificallergensthatmaybe triggering
your asthma.Oftenskintestsare usedtodetermine whichallergensyouare allergicto.Dilutedextracts
fromallergenssuchasparticularfoods,pollens,dustmitesandmoldsare injectedunderyourskinor
intoa tinyscratch or puncture onyour arm or back. If you have a positive reaction(meaningyouare
allergic),asmall,raised,reddenedareawithasurroundingflushwill appearatthe testsite,indicating
antibodiestothatspecificallergenare presentinthe skin.Thesereactionscanbe modestorverylarge
dependingonhowallergicyouare.
Your healthcare professional mightalsoconducta bloodtest,whichisnotas sensitiveasa skintest,to
lookforallergies.Usingasample of yourblood,the testlooksforlevelsof antibodiestoparticular
allergenspresentinthe home andoutdoorsinvariouspartsof the UnitedStates.
Treatment
Asthmarequirescontinuousmedicalcare andtreatment.Asthmatreatmentfocusesonopeningairways
by reducinginflammationandswellingof the bronchial tubes,bothlarge andsmall—thelungstructures
affectedbyasthma.Once inflammationandswellingare reduced,the lungsmaybecome lesssensitive
to triggers.Many medicationsare available totreatsymptomsandpreventattacksfromrecurring.
Nonmedical managementstrategiesalsoare recommended:asthmasufferersare encouragedto
identifytriggersintheirenvironmentandavoidthem, whenpossible,oratleastbe preparedforthem
by havingandusingmedication,bothcontrol andrelievertypes.
Three groupsof asthmamedicationsare available:quick-reliefmedications,long-termcontroller
medicationsandmedicationsforallergy-inducedasthma.Theyare available undermanybrandnames
and ina varietyof forms:sprays,pills,powder,liquidsandinjections.Someare shortactingand are
administereddirectlytothe liningof the lungstoimmediatelyrelievesymptoms.Controllermedications
are meantto have longer-termeffects—preventingattacksfromoccurring.The longer-acting
medicationstake awhile tohelpsymptoms subside.Some asthmamedicationsare meanttobe taken
daily,while othersare intendedonlyforsymptomrelief,assymptomsdevelop.
Quick-relief medications:
Quickrelief (or“rescue”) medicationsare usedtoprovide short-termrelief duringanasthmaattack or,
for some people,before physical activitytopreventexercise-inducedasthmaorafterexposure toa
knownallergenlike catsordust.
In a classof medicationsknownasshort-actingbetaagonists,asthmamedicationscalled
bronchodilatorsare typicallydesignedtoactquicklytostopan asthma attack once it has startedby
relaxingandopening—”dilating”—thebronchialtubessomore airisavailable.Forthisreason,theyare
inthe quick-relief medications—or“rescue medications”—category.Coughing,wheezingandbreathing
difficultiesare quicklyrelieved,andthe effectsof these medicationslastforseveral hours.

5. The most commonlyusedbronchodilatorinthe UnitedStatesisalbuterol (Ventolin,Proventil,ProAir),
and the preferredmethodof takingbronchodilatorsisthroughinhalationwithametereddose inhaler.
Othershort-actingbetaagonistsusedforasthmainclude levalbuterol(Xopenex HFA) andpirbuterol
(MaxairAutohaler).Bothalbuterolandlevalbuterol are available inasolutionformtobe deliveredbya
nebulizer
Anotherbronchodilator—ipratropium(Atrovent)—workstorelax the airwaysandmake breathing
easier.Althoughitisprimarilyusedforchronicbronchitisandemphysema,ipratropium isalso
sometimesusedtotreatacute asthmaattacks.
Alsointhe rescue medicationscategory,corticosteroidsworktorelieveairwayinflammationcausedby
severe asthma.Corticosteroidsare notthe same type of steroidsusedbysome athletes.These
performance-enhancingdrugsare calledanabolicsteroids.Ininhaledforminstandarddoses,there are
fewerside effectsfromcorticosteroidsusedtotreatasthma,thoughthe riskof side effectsmayincrease
if you take thismedicationorally(inliquidorpill form) overalongtime.Side effectsmayinclude
hoarsenessandthrush,asurface (throat) fungal infection,thoughrinsingthe throatwithwaterafter
inhalingreducesthisrisk.
Prednisone andmethylprednisolone are twoof the mostcommonlyprescribedoral steroiddrugs.They
are available asliquidsorpillsforshort-termuse.Sideeffectsinclude weightgain,menstrual
irregularities,increasedappetite andlossof energy,amongothers.Long-termeffectsof the druginclude
decreasedbone density, bone fractures,ulcers,cataracts,highbloodpressure,elevatedbloodsugarand
manyother potential problems.
In theirinhaledform,corticosteroidsare alsofrequentlyprescribedforlong-termasthmacontrol,
discussedbelow.
Long-term controller medications
Most long-termcontrollermedicationsforasthmaneedtobe takeneverydayforasthma prevention.
Inhaledcorticosteroids,includingfluticasone (FloventDiskus,FloventHFA),mometasone(Asmanex),
beclomethasone (Qvar),budesonide (PulmicortFlexhaler),ciclesonide(Alvesco) andothers,are the
mostcommonlyprescribedlong-termasthmaremedy.Comparedtooral corticosteroids,inhaled
corticosteroidshave arelativelylowriskof side effectsandare usuallysafe forlong-termuse innormal
doses.Itusuallytakesseveral daysorweeksforthese medicationstostartworking.
Salmeterol (SereventDiskus) andformoterol (Foradil Aerolizer) are twobronchodilatorsinaclassof
medicationsknownaslong-actingbetaagonists(LABAs).Whenusedwithaninhaledcorticosteroid,
these drugshelpcontrol asthmasymptoms.There are alsodevicesavailablethatcontainbotha LABA
and an inhaled(anti-inflammatory) corticosteroid(Advair,Symbicort,Dulera).

6. Theophylline(Uniphyl),anothertype of slow-actingbronchodilator,ispreparedinaslow-release form
takenby mouth.Althoughnotusedasfrequentlyasitusedto be in the past,theophyllineissometimes
usedforpersistentasthmasymptoms,particularlynighttime asthma.Side effectsof bronchodilatorscan
include nervousness,shakinessanda rapidheartrate. There alsomaybe interactionwithother
medicationsorreducedeffectivenesscausedbyotherfactors.
If you are usingrescue bronchodilatorsmore thanthree timesaday,youshouldconsidernotifyingyour
healthcare professional because yourasthmamaynotbe underadequate control orcouldbe getting
worse.If yourbronchodilatorcontainssalmeterol,youshouldn’tuse itmore thantwotimesa day or
lessthan12 hours apart.However,youmaynot be usingyour inhalercorrectlyforoptimumrelief.
Althoughthe majorityof asthmapatientsuse some type of inhaler,healthcare professionalssaythat
some people whouse themaren’tusingthemcorrectly.Some use themonce adayor everyotherday,
for example.
Salmeterol andformoterolmayincrease the riskof asthma-relateddeath,soyoushouldonlyuse itasan
additional therapyorif yourasthmaisn’twell controlledonotherasthma-controllermedications.This
warningisparticularlyimportantforAfricanAmericans,whoseembe mostaffected.Discussthisrisk
withyourhealthcare professional.
In addition,cromolynsolution,ananti-inflammatorymedication,isavailableforuse withanebulizerto
helppreventasthmaattacksinchildren.
Leukotriene modifiersare a formof anti-inflammatorymedicationthathelpspreventasthmasymptoms
for upto 24 hours.Leukotrienesare chemicalsproducedbythe cellsinthe lungliningandare partof
the chain reactionthatcausesinflammationandconstrictionof the airways.Leukotrienemodifiersfight
thisallergicresponse byblockingthe lung’sresponse toleukotrienesandtherebydecreasing
inflammation.These medicationsare takenorallyinpill form, ratherthaninhaled.Montelukast
(Singulair) andzafirlukast(Accolate)are twoexamplesof leukotriene modifiers.Rarely,leukotriene
modifiershave beenlinkedtodepression,hallucinations,suicidal thoughts,aggressionandagitation.If
youexperienceone of these psychological side effectswhile takingaleukotriene modifierforyour
asthma,call your healthcare professional rightaway.
An injectablemedication,omalizumab(Xolair),isspecificallyforuse inthose age 12 and olderwith
moderate tosevere asthmasymptoms,triggeredbyallergieswhose symptomsare notadequately
controlledwithinhaledcorticosteroids,long-actingbronchodilatorsorleukotriene receptorblockers.
Omalizumabisanewclassof allergicasthmatherapyknownas“anti-IgE”therapy,whichtargetsan
antibodycalledIgEthatcauses allergicreactions.The treatmentbindstoIgEand neutralizesit.
Allergy-related medications:
If your asthmais the resultof or worsenedbyallergies,youmaybenefitfromone of the following
allergy-relatedtreatments.

7. Immunotherapyisatreatmentoptionforindividualswhocannoteasilyavoidallergy-relatedasthma
triggersor findavailable asthmamedicationsineffective orunusableforsome reason.Immunotherapy,
alsocalledallergydesensitizationshots,involvesinjectingsmall amountsof the allergentowhichyou
are allergicintoyourbody.Gradually,the amountinjectedisincreased,allowingyourbodytobuild
immunitytothe allergen.Followingtreatment,whenyouare exposedtothe allergen,youmayhave
onlyminorsymptomsornone at all.Accordingto the AmericanAcademyof Allergy,Asthma&
Immunology(AAAAI),immunotherapyworksbestforallergicasthma,allergicrhinitisandconjunctivitis
and stinginginsectallergy.Thisisthe onlytherapythatcan induce long-termandperhapspermanent
remission—whensymptomsdisappearanddon’treturn.
Antihistaminesanddecongestantsare medicationsavailablebothbyprescriptionandoverthe counter
to treat allergysymptomsthatcouldtriggeranasthmaattack. Antihistaminesworkagainsthistamine,a
chemical producedbythe bodyinresponse toan allergen.Antihistaminesrelieve symptomssuchas
wateryand itchyeyes,sneezingandotherallergysymptoms.Sideeffectsof olderantihistaminesinclude
drowsinessanddehydration,amongothers.Antihistaminesare available inpill,liquidandinjection
forms,and decongestantsare available inpill,liquidandnasal sprayforms.Oral decongestantsmustbe
obtainedfrombehindthe counterbecause of concernsaboutillicitdrugabuse andmanufacturing.
Decongestantsreestablishdrainage of the nasal passagesandrelieve symptomssuchascongestion,
swelling,excesssecretionsanddiscomfortinthe sinusareas.Decongestantsmaybe pills,spraysor
drops.Medicationscombiningpainrelieversanddecongestantsalsoare available.Side effectsof
decongestantsinclude nervousness,sleeplessnessandelevatedbloodpressure.Alwayscheckthe labels
on these andothermedicationsforadditional potentialside effects.
Neitherantihistaminesnordecongestantsare specificallyindicatedforuse inasthma.However,
leukotrienes,namelySingulair,are approvedforbothrhinitisandasthma.
Asthmaand allergysufferersshouldbe cautiousaboutherbal treatmentsfortheirconditionsbecause of
the potential forallergicresponses.Anytype of treatmentshouldalwaysbe discussedwithyourhealth
care professionalbeforetryingit.
Coping With Asthma While Pregnant
Althoughthere isaslightlyhigherriskof complicationsinpregnantwomenwithasthmacomparedto
womenwithoutthe condition,youcanstill have asafe and normal pregnancy,aslongas asthma
symptomsare keptundercontrol.Uncontrolledasthmainthe mothercan,however,cause oxygen
levelstodecrease inthe bloodandcanimpact how muchoxygenthe babyreceives.
It’spossible thatthe severityof yourasthmamaychange duringpregnancy.Forabout one-thirdof
pregnantwomen,asthmasymptomsgenerallyseemtoworsen,whileone-thirdmaybe luckyandsee an
improvement.Anotherthirdseemtohave nochange in the severityof theirasthma.
Most medicationsprescribedtocontrol asthmaare safe for pregnantwomentotake,andthe risksof
uncontrolledasthmainpregnantwomenappeartobe greaterthan the risksof necessaryasthma

8. medications.Medicationsadministeredwithinhalersgenerallyare consideredbetterforpregnant
womenthanoral medicationsbecause inhaledmedicationsgostraighttothe lungsandare lesslikelyto
getpassedalongto the baby.In more seriouscases,oral medicationsmaybe necessary tocontrol
symptomsof asthma.Askyour healthcare professionaltreatingyourasthmatoconsultwithyour
obstetricianbeforedevelopingatreatmentplanforyou.
Prevention
There isno way to preventasthmafromdeveloping.Youcanlearnto identifyyourasthmaorallergy
triggersandpossible avoidthem.Developinganasthmamanagementplanwithyourhealthcare team
can helpyoudetermine whichmedicationworksbestforyouandwhatotherstrategiesyoucan use to
improve yourcondition.Here are afew suggestionsforavoidingtriggers:
 Track your symptomstoidentifywhattriggersyourasthmaattacks;once identifiedtrytoavoid
them.
 Alwaysbe preparedtomanage yourattacks.
 Preventsymptomsbefore theyoccur,if possible.
 If you’re allergictocat or dogdander,use yourasthma medicationsbefore visitingsomeone
withthese pets,andbe sure and have a relievertype medicationwithyou,suchasalbuterol.
 If necessary,findanewhome foryour petor keepitout of your sleepingarea.
 If you smoke,quit,andturnyour home intoa smoke-freezone.
 Whenpollencountsorozone levelsare highinthe summer,trytostay indoorsandin air
conditioning;use airfiltersonyourfurnace andair conditioner.
 If cold air isa triggerfor you,weara scarf to coveryourmouthand nose whenyouare outside
inthe winter.
 Wash all yourbedding,includingpillow cases,clothesandstuffedanimal toys,once aweekor
more ofteninhot water(greaterthan130° F) and dry at highheatto kill dustmites.
 Use a dehumidifierindampareassuchas bathroomsand basementstoreduce moldbuild-up.
 Avoidclose contactwithanyone whohasa coldor the flu,and washyourhands regularly.
 Get a flushotin the fall.
 Work withyourhealthcare professional tocome upwitha medicationregimenthatwill still
allowyouto exercise.
 Use yourasthma medicationsbefore exercisingincoldair.
Facts to Know
1. Asthmaisa chroniclungconditioncausedbyheightenedsensitivitytovariousthingsinthe
environment,suchaspollen,dustandsmoke.Exposure tothese “triggers”causesthe air
passagestobecome swollenandinflamed,causingthe hallmarksymptomsof anasthma
“attack”: increasedmucousproduction,wheezing,coughing,chesttightnessanddifficulty
breathing.
2. Asthmacan’t be cured,but itcan be controlledwithavarietyof medications.If notwell
controlled,asthmacanbe life threatening.Lifelongmanagementisusuallynecessary.

9. 3. The rate of asthmais higherinchildrenthaninadults(8.2percent of adultshave asthma,
comparedto 9.5 percentof children).
4. The National CenterforHealthStatistics(adivisionof the CDC) reportedthat18.9 million
Americanadultsand7.1 millionchildrensufferedfromasthmain2011. Asthmacaseshave been
increasinginnumberandseveritysincethe early1980s, spanningpeople of all ages,sex and
racial groups.
5. Accordingto the Asthmaand AllergyFoundationof America,AfricanAmericansare three times
as likelyasCaucasianstobe hospitalizedfromasthmaandthree timesaslikelytodie fromthe
disease.Racial differencesinasthmaprevalenceandmortalityare believedtobe relatedto
poverty,urbanairquality,indoorallergens,lackof patienteducationandinadequate medical
care. Womenare more likelythan mentodie fromasthma attacks.
6. Abouthalf of all adultswithasthmahave allergiesthatmaytriggerasthmasymptoms.
Identifying,avoidingorcontrollingtriggersisanimportantpartof asthmamanagement.
7. Obesityisamajor riskfactor for developingasthma.
8. Asthmaisbelievedtohave a geneticcomponent.Childrenof aparentor parentswithasthma
are at greaterriskof developingthe condition.
9. Three maingroupsof asthmamedicationsare available:quick-relief medications,long-term
controllermedicationsandmedicationsforallergy-inducedasthma.
10. Exercise cantriggeran asthma attack; treatmentwithaninhaledbronchodilatorbefore
exercisingcanpreventexercise-inducedasthma.
Key Q&A
1. What isasthma?Asthmaisa lungconditionthatmakesthe primaryairways—knownasthe
bronchi—inthe lungsswollenandinflamed.People whohave asthmaare more sensitive than
otherpeople tothingsinthe environment,knownastriggers.These triggersmake the muscles
inan asthma sufferer’slungstightenorconstrictmakingthe airpassagesnarrow and breathing
difficult.Inaddition,cellsinthe lungsproduce more mucusinresponse toatrigger.The mucus
clogsthe bronchial tubes,whichcontributestobreathingproblems.Whenthe lungsreacttoa
trigger,what’sknownasan “asthma attack” occurs. Wheezing,coughingortightnessinthe
chestand shortnessof breathare the hallmarksymptomsof anasthmaattack. Thislifelong
conditioncan’tbe cured,but itcan be controlledwiththe properdiagnosisandtreatment.
2. How prevalentisasthmaamongadultsinthe UnitedStates?The NationalCenterforHealth
Statistics(adivisionof the U.S.CDC) reportedthat18.9 millionAmericanadultsand7.1 million
childrensufferedfromasthmain2011. Reportedcasesof asthmahave beenonthe rise since
the early1980s amongpeople of all ages,sex andracial groups.Many people developasthmain
childhood,butothersdevelopthe disease laterinlife—knownasadultonsetasthma.Youcan
evenfirstbeginexperiencingsymptomsof the disease atage 50 or older.
3. Is there a cure for asthma?No,asthmaisa chronic disease thatcannotbe cured,but itcan be
controlledwithmedicationandlifestylechanges.There are avarietyof medicationsin avariety
of formsto treatsymptomsof asthma.Lifestyle modifications,suchasidentifyingandavoiding
or minimizingasthmatriggers,are alsoimportanttomanagingthe disease.

10. 4. Are womenat greaterriskfor asthmacomparedwithmen?Womenare more likelytodie from
asthmathan are men.Studieshave shownthatasthmamaybe relatedtowomen’shormonal
changesand couldbe triggeredbefore orduringthe menstrual period.Some womenfirst
developasthmaduringoraftera pregnancy,butasthmasymptomsmay also subside during
pregnancyor notbe affectedatall.
5. Are there certaingroupsof people whoare athigherriskfor asthma?The prevalence of asthma
isdefinitelyhigheramongchildrenthanadultsandhigheramongAfricanAmericansand
HispanicsthanCaucasians.Accordingtothe Asthmaand AllergyFoundationof America,African
Americansare three timesaslikelyasCaucasianstobe hospitalizedfromasthmaandthree
timesaslikelytodie fromthe disease.Racial differencesinasthmaprevalence andmortalityare
believedtobe highlyrelatedtopoverty,urbanairquality,indoorallergens,lackof patient
educationandinadequate medical care.
6. What are some commonsymptomsof asthma?Some of the more commonsymptomsof adult
onsetasthmainclude the following:
o dry cough,especiallyatnightor as a response tocertaintriggersor allergens
o a feelingof tightnessorpressure inyourchest
o difficultybreathing
o wheezing—whichsoundslikeawhistlingsound—whenyouexhale
o shortnessof breathafterexercise
o coldsthat migrate to yourchestor don’t go awayfor 10 daysor more
o wakingupduringthe night
7. What type of healthcare professional treatsasthma?Primarycare healthprofessionalstypically
diagnose andtreatasthma,but consultationwithanallergistorpossiblyapulmonary(lung)
specialistmaybe recommendedtohelpdevelopanasthmamanagementprogram.
8. Doesit take a longtime to diagnose asthma?Asthmacanbe hard to diagnose;therefore,its
symptomsare sometimesmisdiagnosedasrespiratoryinfections orattributedtoother
conditions.Generally,withathoroughmedical evaluation,whichincludesaphysical,amedical
historythatincludesevaluatingyoursymptoms,differentlaboratorytestsandrespiratory-
functiontests,adiagnosisisquicklyandaccuratelymade.Once diagnosed,itcantake some
time foryour healthcare teamto determine whichmedicationsanddosagesare righttobest
manage your symptoms.
9. What are mytreatmentoptions?Thereare manymedicationstohelpmanage andminimizethe
effectsof the asthma.Some medicinesare preventiveandare usedforlong-termcontrol,while
othersare usedasquickrelieversforimmediateactionwhenanasthmaepisode (orattack)
occurs.
10. I have asthma.Are my childrenatriskfor developingthiscondition?Yes.Studieshave shown
that childrenof parentswithasthmaare at greaterrisk fordevelopingthe condition.Itwouldbe
wise todiscussyourchildren’shealthwiththeirpediatrician.
For more informationvisitusourwebsite:http://www.healthinfi.com