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Asthma: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it asthma?

Asthma symptoms can look like symptoms of other illnesses or diseases. Croup, bronchitis, epiglottis, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, upper respiratory tract viruses, gastroesophageal reflux, congenital abnormalities or even a foreign body inhaled by the child-all have some of the same symptoms of asthma. ...

What is asthma?

Asthma is a condition that causes repetitive, sudden episodes of breathlessness, wheezing and cough.
Asthma is a disease of the respiratory system. Asthma is a chronic state of hyper-responsiveness (when muscles in the airways constrict and narrow excessively in response to inhaled allergens or other irritants). Asthma is characterized by coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing. Asthma may be triggered by allergens or other, non-allergic stimuli, such as cold air or tobacco smoke.
Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease caused by oversensitivity of the lungs and airways, which overreact to certain "triggers" by becoming inflamed and clogged, causing recurrent breathing problems, wheezing, and coughing. Advertising Disclaimer
Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by difficulty in breathing. People with asthma have acute episodes when the airways get irritated and react with narrowing or obstructing. Breathing becomes difficult. Asthma symptoms can include: - coughing - wheezing - shortness of breath - chest tightness These problems are caused by an oversensitivity of the lungs and airways which overact to certain triggers and become inflamed and clogged.

Is there a cure for Asthma?

Asthma cannot be cured, but with proper care and medications, asthma can be controlled to help prevent symptoms.
Unfortunately, there is no present cure for asthma. However, it can be controlled and there are many medications that can help people with asthma. With the proper use of medications and avoidance of triggers, the risks of asthma can be greatly reduced.
Asthma can be controlled effectively by medicines especially inhalers. These are safe to use and have minimum side effects, if any. Asthma cannot be eradicated from its roots as this is more of a hypersensitivity response of the body to certain allergens. One should accept the disease and learn to prevent an acute attack.
Unfortunately, there is no cure. However, asthma can be controlled with proper treatment. People with asthma can use medicine prescribed by their physician to prevent or relieve their symptoms. By educating themselves about medication and other asthma management strategies, most people can gain control of the disease and live an active life.
Although no cure for asthma exists, the disease can be managed and controlled with proper medications. Medications typically fall into two categories. Quick-relief medications are sufficient for people with mild, intermittent asthma. Long-term control medications are for people who have frequent asthma episodes or persistent asthma.

Is Asthma inherited?

Yes, asthma tends to run in families. Often there is also a family history of other allergic conditions such as hayfever / allergic rhinitis and eczema. However, asthma can also occur even if there is no family history.
As per the research the tendency to have asthma is inherited and then something needs to convert it to the actual condition. The ‘something’ is a mysterious word as it could be a viral infection or allergies or some working conditions. Now there is also a possibility that the one has the tendency to get asthma but does not get it even after having encountered the condition a number of times.

Is asthma contagious?

No, asthma is not contagious. You can’t catch asthma from anyone like you catch a cold.
Asthma is not contagious.

Is asthma curable?

Unfortunately, asthma is not a curable condition. It is controversial whether asthma can be outgrown. Studies performed at the University of Arizona in Tucson have shown that up to 60% of children by the age of six can outgrow asthma. But if a child has a strong family history of asthma, has atopic dermatitis (eczema) or significant early and heavy exposure to smoke, their chance of outgrowing asthma diminishes greatly.
Asthma is NOT a curable disease. However, with proper medication and precautions, the attacks can be greatly reduced with time. There is no definite time period as to how long the treatment may go on. It varies from person to person, although some people have to carry on with their medication for the rest of my life.

Is asthma genetic?

It is thought that asthma does have a genetic component.

What are the different types of asthma?

There are new sub-classifications of asthma. These newer classifications of asthma are interrelated to the two primary categories, or types, of asthma; either Allergic asthma (extrinsic) or Non-allergic Asthma (intrinsic). Asthma can now be classified into one of the following: Exercise-induced asthma Nocturnal asthma, or asthma that occurs when an individual is sleeping Occupational asthma Steroid-resistant asthma

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Not everyone will get all symptoms, and not every asthmatic will wheeze. The signs include: Chronic coughing Shortness of breath Wheezing Tightness in the chest Shallow, rapid breathing Breathing difficulty at night, causing sleep disturbance In a severe attack, the person will find breathing very difficult; he may have trouble speaking or concentrating; and he may have a bluish tinge to the lips and face.
Symptoms of uncontrolled asthma commonly include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and/or excessive mucus build up in the airways to the lungs. These symptoms vary from person to person. Additionally, you can still have asthma (sensitive, inflamed airways) even if you don't have symptoms at the moment.

How is asthma controlled?

There is no cure for asthma, but with proper treatment, symptoms can be controlled and the asthmatic can have a normal lifestyle. Treatment will be based upon the severity of the asthma, as well as other health considerations particular to a patient. The symptoms of mild to moderate asthma, where symptoms are only present occasionally and rarely interfere in daily life, can often be eliminated by reducing exposure to triggers, and if only very occasional, by using quick-relief bronchodilators (e.g.: Ventolin, Atrovent, Berotec), as needed. ...

What are some of the “triggers” for Asthma?

There are many different “triggers” for asthma. Some of the more common ones are: Pet dander Dust and dust mites Mold Cigarette smoke Pollen Perfumes and strong smells Cold weather Air pollution Increased physical activities

What are some of the symptoms of Asthma?

When the airways constrict and become smaller, the person will wheeze – make a whistling sound when they breathe. Some other symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Generally these symptoms occur at night, early in the morning, or when the person is exposed to an asthma trigger. back to top

Who can get asthma?

Although asthma develops most commonly in children before the age of five and adults in their thirties, anyone can develop asthma. You are most likely to develop asthma if one of your parents has it and if you have allergies.

What are "Triggers and Asthma Management"?

Most common causes of asthma reactions are viruses, bacteria, smoke, dust and dust-mites, mold, pollen pet dander, cold air, fumes and perfumes. Tests prove that most episodes are caused by dust mite allergens. Taking appropriate measure to filter the air in the home using HEPA filtration can go a long way at limiting asthma attacks.

What Causes An Asthma Attack?

An asthma attack can occur when you are exposed to things in the environment such as house dust mites and tobacco smoke. These are called asthma triggers. Some of the most important triggers are listed below.
Source: www.cdc.gov

What Is An Asthma Attack?

An asthma attack happens in your body’s airways, which are the paths that carry air to your lungs. As the air moves through your lungs, the airways become smaller, like the branches of a tree are smaller than the tree trunk. During an asthma attack, the sides of the airways in your lungs swell, and the airways shrink. Less air gets in and out of your lungs, and mucus that your body produces clogs up the airways even more. The attack may include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and trouble breathing. ...
Source: www.cdc.gov

How is Asthma Treated?

Asthma can be treated and controlled without major limitations to your life. Each case of asthma is different but knowing the facts about asthma and how it affects you will help you work with your provider to develop a plan tailored to your needs. Talk to your doctor about your Asthma Action Plan.

What Causes Asthma Symptoms?

Asthma causes airways, the passages that bring air to your lungs, to become very sensitive and reactive. When airways come in contact with "triggers", the airways narrow, swell and produce mucus. In addition, the muscles on the outside of the airways constrict and tighten around the airways. As a result, breathing becomes difficult. These effects cause episodes of breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. Having one or several of these symptoms is called an asthma episode, or attack. ...

Who Gets Asthma?

Asthma affects Americans of all ages, races, and ethnic groups but low-income and minority populations experience higher rates of hospital admissions and emergency room visits due to asthma. Asthma is a serious and growing health problem. More than 17.3 million Americans, including five million children, have asthma. Children under five years of age have the highest rate of increase in asthma.
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