Asthma
Olivia Schmidt, Hour 5
Define Asthma
Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Asthma signs and symptoms include:
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness or pain
Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
A whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling (wheezing is a common sign of asthma in children)
Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu.
Immediate and long term risk factors
Long term risk factors for asthma could be obesity if you don't lose weight its going to effect you for the rest of your life. Another would be allergy skin tests for asthma and age. Allergic rhinitis and positive allergy skin tests are significant risk factors for developing new asthma. Research has shown that the frequency of asthma and allergic rhinitis continue to increase as the person becomes older.
Interpersonal Communication
Media Influences
Asthma is a complex genetic disorder in which most of the inheritance is not known. Studies have shown evidence for genetic influences in asthma, but have also shown evidence from environmental influences. Studies have also shown that influences such as gender influences asthma and that hormonal or biochemical differences related to sex may play a role in asthma.
Advances
Sources
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/DS00021
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ocean/aap/1994/00000015/00000001/art00005
http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/impacts_nation/AsthmaFactSheet.pdf http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ben/cpd/2006/00000012/00000025/art00008