Asthma
Informational Guide
HIstory
Hippocrates (~400 BC) was the first to use the term “Asthma” (Greek for “wind” or “to blow”) for panting and respiratory distress. He is considered to be the physician who identified the relationship between the environment and respiratory disease correlating climate and location with illness. Some suggest he was the first allergist.
How to Get Asthma
Asthma is believed to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Although you cannot control your genetic makeup, you can control some of the environmental factors that may cause you to develop asthma.
Signs and Symptoms
Cough: can occur at night, during exercise, can be chronic, dry, with phlegm, mild, or severe
Respiratory: difficulty breathing, wheezing, breathing through the mouth, fast breathing, frequent respiratory infections, rapid breathing, or shortness of breath at night
Also common: acute episodes, chest tightness, anxiety, early awakening, fast heart rate, or throat irritation
Treatment
Asthma can usually be managed with rescue inhalers to treat symptoms (albuterol) and controller inhalers that prevent symptoms (steroids). Severe cases may require longer-acting inhalers that keep the airways open, as well as oral steroids. If a person is having an Asthma Attack, you must calm the person down and if the breathing problems still exist you must go to the Emergency room for treatment,
Facts About Asthma
- Asthma is a chronic disease that affects airways in lungs. During asthma attacks, patients can experience wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or tightness and pain in the chest.
- Asthmatic attacks can be triggered by allergens, exercise, smoke, pollution, or airway infections.
- Smoking is known to trigger asthmatic attacks. Make handmade cards to encourage your loved ones to quit smoking.
- As of 2012, more than 18 million adults and 6 million children suffered from asthma.
- In the last decade, the number of people with asthma increased by 15%.