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definition of asthma |  |
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expert Q & A |
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Dr. Rickard is a board-certified physician licensed in 3 states. She is currently Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as Head, Respiratory/Pulmonary Therapeutic Area, North America Medical Affairs, GlaxoSmithKline. If I feel O.K. most days, why do I still have to take my asthma medication regularly? A: Asthma is a "chronic" condition, meaning that it doesn't go away. And, even though an attack may feel like it happens suddenly, it actually may be building up over a few hours or days, before you notice any symptoms. Inflammation may always be there even though you can’t feel it. That's why it's so important to take your medication as directed. The goal is to help gain control over your asthma and help prevent sudden asthma attacks before they happen. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that, if left untreated, asthma can cause long-term decline in lung function. Q: My asthma seems to be worse at night. What can I do? A: Dust mites can make symptoms worse, so reducing dust and other environmental allergens, especially in bedding, is a very important part of your strategy for all-night relief. Also, research shows that being around a pet is a significant cause of nighttime asthma. If you have a pet, make the bedroom an off-limits area. Finally, ask your healthcare professional if you need additional medications for your asthma. Q. My healthcare professional prescribed three medications for my asthma—a fast-acting bronchodilator, a long-acting bronchodilator, and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). What's the difference? A. The new thinking in treating moderate to severe asthma calls for three medications. The fast-acting inhaler is a "rescue" drug to treat sudden symptoms. You should always carry it in case of an emergency. The long-acting bronchodilator is a preventive medication that helps treat constriction. The ICS is also a preventive medicine. It helps reduce inflammation in your airways, which causes the tiny air passages in your lungs to swell and become irritated. Constriction and inflammation cause the symptoms that may occur during an asthma attack. The preventive medications should be used every day—symptoms or not—to help manage your condition so that you need to use your fast-acting inhaler less often. It is important to know the differences among your inhalers so you don't reach for the wrong one during a sudden asthma attack or flare-up. Q. I love animals. Is there any pet I can live with safely? A: If your allergy to animals causes asthma symptoms or asthma attacks, the best pets for you are fish, turtles, or any other animals that don’t have fur or feathers. Contrary to popular belief, there is no relationship between the length of an animal's fur and asthma symptoms or allergic reactions. It is animal dander (dandruff) along with the animal saliva that can trigger symptoms. Also, the feathers of birds, regardless of whether they are on a pet or in a pillow, can cause symptoms in some people. If you decide you still want a pet, keep it out of your bedroom. Even when you are away from home, keep your bedroom door closed to prevent your pet from getting in. Q. I seem to have both allergies and mild asthma. Could allergy shots reduce my asthma symptoms? A. Patients who have both seasonal allergies and asthma may benefit from allergy shots. When shots are effective in easing your allergy symptoms and when the same things that cause your allergy symptoms also cause your asthma symptoms, you may have positive results. The benefits typically consist of reduced reactions to things you are allergic to (allergens) and less dependence on your fast-acting inhaler. But remember, allergy and asthma are two different conditions. And while there is some overlap in symptoms for people who have both, each needs special treatment. Q. Does my heartburn trigger my asthma? A. Heartburn is also called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Heartburn is caused by stomach acid backing up into your esophagus or sometimes into your windpipe as well. When this acid gets into the back of your throat, or is inhaled into your lungs, it can trigger asthma symptoms. Many people with asthma have heartburn. Many healthcare professionals believe that treating GERD aggressively may help to improve asthma in people who have both conditions. |
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