Asthma
By Aidan F, C2 11/11/2015
Introduction
Facts
Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the lung airways that causes coughing, chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath
Weather conditions such as extremely dry, wet or windy weather can worsen an asthma condition.
There are two types of asthma medications: long-term control and quick-relief medications. Long-term control medications are preventive, taken daily to achieve and maintain control of asthma symptoms. Quick-relief medications are used to treat asthma attacks. They relieve symptoms rapidly and are taken on an as-needed basis.
One of the most effective medications for controlling asthma is inhaled medication. When you inhale the corticosteroids that’s in the medication it improves asthma control and normalize lung function (see boy in picture above taking the inhaled medication)
Some ways you can get asthma is allergens, like pollen, mold, or other things that cause an allergic reaction in some people. Airborne irritants and pollutants, like smoke, strong scents, or high levels of air pollutants can also cause Asthma.
All warm-blooded pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and rodents, can make your asthma worse. The flakes or scales from the skin, hair, or feathers of these animals and dried saliva or urine can make people start coughing, wheezing, or get itchy, watery eyes. This is called an allergy. The length of a pet's hair does not matter. There is no such thing as an allergy-free dog or cat.
Triggers (what can cause asthma)
Should and should not do
What you shouldn't do with it is if you have an asthma attack two to four puffs may be sufficient, if you need more puffs then immediately go to a doctor. You should not completely panic and start puffing the medication so much until there is none left because you would obviously get really sick from that.
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When someone is having an asthma attack you need to be calm, staying calm allows the victim to not be stressed out and think that they are going to die.
You should not panic in this situation because you can't think clearly and the victim feels even worse about having the attack and also starts to panic.
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You should find out all the asthma triggers so you know how to avoid and prevent them.
You shouldn't find out some of the asthma triggers just because you think some are important than others.
Other information
You could die from asthma
About 25.9 million Americans suffer from asthma (8% of adults, 10% of children), and asthma affects over 230 million people worldwide. The prevalence of asthma has been increasing since the early 1980s across all age, gender, and racial groups.
Asthma is the leading chronic disease among children and the leading reason for missed school days.
Asthma is more common among adult women than adult men
Asthma is more common among boys than girls.
Asthma is more common among children than adults
Nearly 7.1 million asthma sufferers are under the age of 18.
Citations
"Breath of Fresh Air: Feature Articles." How Many times a Day Can I Safely Use My Bronchodilator Inhaler? N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2015.
"What Not to Do With Your Asthma Inhaler." EverydayHealth.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2015.
"Asthma Triggers." Asthma Triggers. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2015."
"Asthma Symptoms, Diagnosis, Management & Treatment | AAAAI." Asthma Symptoms, Diagnosis, Management & Treatment | AAAAI. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2015.