Asthma

Asthma

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Outline

Introduction – Asthma is an inflammatory condition that causes many people to have breathing difficulties by causing the tightening of the air passages
Causes – research conducted by physicians concerning asthma has been going on for many years, but they have not been able to identify a single cause of asthma
Symptoms – symptoms vary from one person to another People suffering from asthma experience different intensities and frequencies of the condition
Treatment – treatment towards reducing the symptoms of this condition

Asthma

Introduction

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. About 5% of the people in the world suffer from this condition. Most of the reported cases of asthma are in developed countries although more people from developing countries are reporting increasing cases of asthma (Gershwin, 2011). Asthma is an inflammatory condition that causes many people to have breathing difficulties by causing the tightening of the air passages. Asthma affects people differently. Patients with mild asthma have infrequent symptoms of the condition.

Many people associate the agony of asthma to an affliction that is only experienced during the childhood years. Others continue to suffer in agony of the disease well into adulthood. Gershwin (2011) describes an asthmatic attack as the instance whereby the diameter of the small bronchi becomes relatively reduced because of muscular spasms of the muscular coat or rather active congestion of the mucous membrane worsened by the excessive production of tough mucus into the breathing cavity. Inspiration procedures include the widening of the small bronchi, and in the process, the obstruction is minimized. The forced expiration often causes the compression of the bronchi and the subsequent increase of the obstruction. In addition, inspiration is considered relatively easy to practice as opposed to the practice of expiration. This is because the difficulty involved in breathing in asthmatic cases is different to other form of difficult breathing. This is primarily in the expiratory process. Asthmatic victims generally tend to exhibit hypersensitivity and overreaction especially during instances of severe symptoms.

Causes

NHS (2010), indicates that research conducted by physicians concerning asthma has been going on for many years, but they have not been able to identify a single cause of asthma. However, they have identified some of the causes of asthma, which range from genetic to environmental factors. These factors increase a person’s chances of developing the condition. A person whose family has a history of asthma or other allergic or atopic conditions such as hay fever or some food allergies has high chances of developing asthma. Children with bronchiolitis have a high chance of developing the disease. Children whose mothers smoked when they were pregnant with them have high chances of developing asthma.

Many children who are born prematurely, and especially those who use a ventilator, or those with a low birth weight, less than four and a half pounds have a high chance of getting asthma. Infections such as cold and flu viruses are common triggers. Allergens such as pollen, feathers, dust mites, and animal fur can trigger asthma attacks. Airborne irritants such as tobacco or cigarette smoke exhaust fumes, chemical fumes, and air pollutants can act as triggers. Some people get asthma attacks when they use certain medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Emotional factors such as laughing and stress can act as triggers. Foods containing sulphites can trigger asthma attacks. Sulphites are used as preservatives in certain foods and drinks such as concentrated fruit juices and prawns.

Other factors such as weather changes, indoor conditions, exercise and certain viral attacks can also trigger asthma. These factors can hasten and worsen the symptoms of asthma. People with asthma react differently to the identified triggers. Some people have lungs that are more sensitive than others do, and they are allergic to many things. People classify asthma as extrinsic, where the physician can identify a definite external cause of asthma, or intrinsic, where the doctor cannot determine any external cause. Extrinsic asthma often occurs in childhood and is because of allergies. As a person gets older, he or she gets fewer asthmatic attacks, if the asthma is extrinsic. Intrinsic asthma affects adults.

Symptoms

The common symptoms of asthma are shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and increased production of mucus. People with asthma attacks experience a tightness of the chest. These symptoms vary from one person to another. People suffering from asthma experience different intensities and frequencies of the condition. These symptoms are usually more severe at night and early in the morning (Ward et al., 2011). In severe cases, asthma can lead to death because the airway is obstructed, and the person is not able to breathe well. Asthma is one of the major causes of respiratory tract inflammatory disorders (Porter et al., 2011). People with asthma should know what triggers the symptoms so that they can avoid them. When a person has an asthma attack, the airway muscles tighten and swell because of increased inflammation. The airways contract further when they produce mucus.

These two factors make it difficult for a person to breathe, and he or she starts panting for breath. Some people produce a wheezing sound when the airways become narrow. Some people’s lips may have a bluish tint, and some feel confused, agitated, and lose concentration (Szeftel et al., 2010). Asthma attacks can happen at any time. However, some physicians have noted some warning signs, which can happen before an asthma attack. Some of the warning signs include the increasing use of the inhaler and worsening of the identified symptoms (NHS, 2010). It is important to note that people with other respiratory conditions have most of these symptoms (Szeftel et al., 2010).

Treatment

Many of the doctors direct their treatment towards reducing the symptoms of this condition (Plottel, 2010). Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. People with persistent cases of asthma often require more medication. Many people with asthma use medications that offer quick relief, especially inhalers. This might not work for a person who has an acute attack of asthma. People with severe asthma attacks require assisted breathing using a facemask or a breathing tube (Szeftel et al., 2010). People who manage their asthma well do not usually experience severe attacks. Medications for asthma work by reducing inflammation or relaxing bronchospasms. Many people prefer using inhalers than liquid medications or tablets. This is because most of all the oral medications have side effects, unlike inhalers, which are not absorbed in the body.

NHS, (2010), finds that global asthma related deaths are constantly rising. Current rates are very alarming with current statistics indicating that close to four thousand Americans have since succumbed from the disease since 1985. This figure is double that recorded since 1950. This has led to the increase in research on the various causes for this increase. One of these efforts is the establishment of the task force of immunology, chemistry, pulmonary medicine, and epidemiological research. This task force is responsible for conducting research on the cause of this increase and finding the relevant means of alleviating the adverse effects of asthma. However, the preliminary report released by the task force failed in solving the mystery but indicated that one of the setbacks involved in the mitigation of asthma is that those affected by the disease often fail to adopt the sedentary lifestyles required by the condition.

Plottel (2010), reports that many of the studies and researches conducted in the past have both beneficial and adverse effects on the people suffering from asthma. Health and fitness programs such as the Eagle’s Circle have the effect of enhancing the strength, fitness, agility, aerobic fitness and the quality of life for young persons who are ailing from asthma. Although asthmatic children tend to stay away from physical activities fearing that this may trigger an attack, those who engage in moderate and regular exercise have shown a lot of improvement.

The lack of exercise that is often practiced by most asthmatics tends to work highly against their general well-being. This is primarily because it results in physical de-conditioning, in addition to increasing the chances of suffering from obesity. This in turn, can lead to worsening of the condition. Those who suffer from asthma have no option in the consideration of a proper diet as this form a necessity in the mean steps that lead to a normal life. Proper diet highly affects the condition of asthma especially among the children, as opposed to adults. In most cases, the triggers occur in the form of sulfites or food allergies such as mild, eggs and peanuts.

When patients suffering from asthma are brought into the hospital or healthcare centre, the nurses have this opportunity to educate them and their families and guardians on the relevant sedentary lifestyles that patients are supposed to adopt. The visits are also opportunities and avenues for motivating the patient to learn more about the ailment and the appropriate self-management techniques available for the mitigation of asthma attacks. Some of these self-management procedures include observance of sufficient rest periods and the slow but constant increase in activity. This works a lot in the promotion of the general health of the patient and the increase in resistance to infection. The utilization of an incentive spirometer is also necessary for the enhancement of deep and prolonged inspiratory efforts. The patient is also taught on how to adopt a leaning forward position as this works in improving diaphragmatic excursions and minimizing the use of accessory muscles. The patient is enlightened on pursed-lip breathing as this works to prolong and the prevention of air trapping and gulping techniques. The patient is taught on how to observe proper utilization a hand-held nebulizer as it comes in handy when an attack is imminent.

Plottel, (2010), finds that the patients especially the children are sensitized on the proper use of inhalers. These are specifically sensitized on the fact that they only serve as antecedent of asthma and thus they should not be overused. The overuse of inhalers contributes to their ineffectiveness. The development and adaptation of a gradual but constant exercise routine is necessary for the increase of stamina and thus minimizing the chances of overusing the inhaler. The exercises however, are not to be conducted during extreme weather conditions as this may trigger asthma. A properly worn paper mask is also necessary in minimizing the sensitivity to stimulants. The importance of adopting a cool-down period is also necessary. Swimming and indoor exercises are highly advised as these highly reduce exposure to stimulants.

References:

Gershwin, E. M. (2011). Bronchial asthma: A guide for practical understanding and treatment. Springer

NHS (2010). Causes of asthma. Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Asthma/Pages/Causes.aspx

Porter, C. P., Ongeri, V., Luong, A., Kheradmand, F., & Corry, B. D. (2011). Seeking common pathophysiology in asthma, atopy, and sinusitis. Trends Immunol 32 (2) 43-49

Plottel, S. C. (2010) 100 questions & answers about asthma. Sudbury, MD: Jones & Bartlett Learning

Szeftel, A., Schiffman, G., & Shiel, C. W. Asthma. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/asthma/page8.htm

Ward, P. J., Ward, J., & Leach, M. R. (2011). The respiratory system at a glance. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.