14 DAY TRIAL // Asthma is one of the common illnesses today, acting out as a barometer for the level of pollution in the world. It is a chronic lung disease, characterized by recurrent breathing problems caused by airway inflammation. The muscles around the walls of the airways tighten when irritated so that the airways become narrower and the lining of the airways becomes inflamed.
The most common symptoms among asthma patients are wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, a persistent cough at night, trouble controlling it, difficulty breathing during, or soon after, physical exertion or exercise. The most widespread asthma "triggers" include allergens, such as mites, pollens, molds, pet dander, cockroaches and their waste, irritants from the air, like smoke from tobacco, wood fires or charcoal grills, household sprays, paint, gasoline, perfume and scented soaps, respiratory infections (cold, flu, sore throats, sinus infections), exercise or activities that demand a lot of effort and weather, especially dry wind, cold air and sudden changes.
Along with pollution, asthma cases increased, from 1980 to 1994, with 160% in children from birth to 5 years old. 12.4 million Americans suffer from asthma, out of which 4.2 million are under 18 years. 4,000 people die every year because of this disease, more than 80% being children.
During an asthma attack, cells in the air tubes make more mucus than normal, clogging up the air tubes, cells in the airways get inflamed, causing the air tubes to swell and the muscles around the air tubes tighten. Asthma can be blamed for many sleepless nights, limitation of activity and disruptions of familiar routine.
Even though asthma is an incurable disease, there are some good drugs available to help you control your asthma so that is does not interfere with your daily life, such as inhalers to relieve or to prevent attacks, or steroid tablets. A doctor must explain how to use inhalers properly so that every dose you take gives you the most benefit.
Relievers against asthma have few side effects. They can temporarily increase your heartbeat or give you mild muscle shakes. Because the inhaled drug goes straight down to the airways, very little is absorbed into the rest of the body. For a small group of people, steroid tablets can lead to lowering the body's resistance to chickenpox. Mood swings or increased hunger can also appear. The possible side effects of long use of steroid tablets include a fattened face, an ever growing appetite, over activity while trying to sleep, heartburn and indigestion, osteoporosis or a tendency towards diabetes.
Some things can be done in order to prevent some or all of these side effects. One of the most important things is to not smoke. If one smokes, bone thinning side effects are worse. Steroid tablets taken in the morning may cause fewer damages. Also, weight lifting exercises are recommended to prevent the damage of the bones.
People who control their asthma can enjoy a better live and can afford themselves to do the things they want to. Signs of uncontrolled asthma include waking at night with the symptoms mentioned above, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, the need for more and more reliever treatment. Asthma can be controlled if one is aware of the medicines one needs to take, the quantity and the time in which to take them.
Many studies have been made concerning asthma. Among these, we mention some of the most recent and the most important. A new study shows that having tonsils removed can lead to improved airflow in the upper airways, leading to improved asthma symptoms. Another suggests that the harmful effects of smoking may be passed through the generations, even if damage is not shown in the second generation; if a woman smokes while she is pregnant, both her children and grandchildren are likely to have asthma as a result.
Recent research in Britain suggests a link between household cleaners and chemicals to the increased incidence of asthma among children. One of the most gladdening news so far states that researches from all over the world are hard at work trying to develop a vaccine to prevent and possibly reverse asthma in adults and children. So far, in California, researchers have already cleared animal trials and are currently in testing with human patients; the vaccine has been shown in animal studies to stop asthma and actually reverse lung damage. These results are a good omen for asthma patients but some scientists say it will be 10 years before they have a working vaccine.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of new asthmatics are diagnosed, especially children. The best choice for them is to take care of their illness, to control it best as they can in order to minimize the symptoms and the effects which could change their lives.
