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asthma basics
- Asthma is a chronic disease that presently
cannot be cured but can be adequately treated.
- There are two main components to asthma—constriction,
the tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways and inflammation, the
swelling and irritation of the airways. Constriction and inflammation
cause narrowing of the airways, which may result in wheezing, chest tightness,
or shortness of breath.
- Airway inflammation may always be there—even
when you are not having a lot of symptoms. There is increasing evidence that,
if left untreated, inflammation can cause damage to your airways.
- People with asthma have inflamed airways
that are sensitive to things (asthma triggers)
that may not bother other people. These asthma "triggers" vary from
person to person, and some of the most common triggers include allergens like
animal dander and pollen, irritants, respiratory infections, and exercise.
- Asthma symptoms or attacks occur when
you encounter one of your triggers. When you are having asthma symptoms or
an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways tighten (constriction). Also, the lining
of the airways swells, becomes irritated (inflammation), and produces more mucus. Constriction and
inflammation make it difficult and sometimes impossible to
breathe.
- According to treatment guidelines established
in 1997 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the goals of asthma
therapy include preventing chronic asthma symptoms and asthma attacks during
the day and night; maintaining normal activity levels, including exercise
and other activities; having normal or near-normal lung function; and eliminating
emergency room visits.
- Fast-acting inhalers like albuterol
work quickly to open the airways by relaxing the muscles around the airways.
They do not treat the underlying inflammation or provide long-term protection
against worsening asthma.
- People who need to use their fast-acting
inhalers more than two times per week should talk to their healthcare professional
about long-term controller medications to help prevent asthma symptoms from
occurring in the first place.
- Inhaled steroids are different from oral
steroids. With oral steroids (pill or liquid form), much larger doses are
used, and the medicine is distributed throughout the body, not just the lungs.
This may cause more unwanted side effects. Inhaled steroids are breathed directly
into the lungs where the medicine is needed.
- There are long-term controller medications
that help treat the two main components of asthma—constriction and inflammation.
Ask your healthcare professional about medications that effectively treat these components.
- Effectively treating your asthma depends,
in part, on staying informed. You can learn to manage your condition if you
have the facts and follow your daily treatment program.
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