Asthma is a chronic lung disease, which is caused by an increased reaction from the airways to various stimuli. It is a persistent inflammatory condition with acute specific exacerbations. If asthma is not properly managed or treated, it can become a life-threatening disease.

A person in middle age or older can at times develop asthma and this is called adult onset asthma. A careful diagnosis of asthma is very significant, because very often the symptoms can be confused with other very similar illnesses of middle age such as specific types of heart disease chest ailments or cough.

It’s been discovered that Asthma in adults is often a recurrence of childhood asthma. Sometimes a child’s asthma persists into adulthood, or very often childhood asthma disappears only to recur later in life as adult onset asthma. Therefore an appropriate diagnosis is essential.

Asthma symptoms:

The usual asthma symptoms in adults are as follows,

* Wheezing
* Breathlessness
* Cough
* Tightness of the chest
* Production of mucus.

Asthma triggers in adults:

Cigarette Smoking: –
Bronchial asthma is a very common disease and is an important cause of morbidity amongst both children and adults. Tobacco smoking, which is both active and passive, can have dire effects on asthma.
Bronchial irritation is often caused by exposure to cigarette smoking and can precipitate acute episodes of Asthma. It also increases bronchial receptiveness and causes airway sensitization to some occupational allergens.
For any asthmatic, smoking will always increase their disease severity and is the probable cause of irreversible Airway’s obstruction and also the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (COPD)

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Asthma. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

Smoking is frequently associated with
* Increased asthma symptoms,
* Respiratory infections,
* Acute episodes
* And the frequent hospitalization of children.
* It also increases bronchial responsiveness and any specific airway sensitization.

Similarly, uteri exposure to maternal smoking is often independently responsible for early onset of asthma. Exposure in adult asthmatics to cigarette smoking by their spouses, siblings or colleagues is equally worrying.

Similar triggers
A person with adult onset asthma is also sensitive to the same types of triggers, which precipitate symptoms in younger people suffering with asthma. Therefore it stands to reason that adult onset asthma can be managed by limiting the amount of exposure to specific particular triggers, which include: –

* Cigarette smoke
* Allergens such as pollen or mould
* Infections
* Fumes and strong odors
* Dust mite allergen
* Specific Exercise
* Medications such as beta-blockers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Asthma in adults is a permanent condition. If you suffer from Asthma as an adult, you will probably need constant medication to keep your symptoms under control for the rest of your life!

Regular medication for Adult Asthma.
As people get older, their lungs become much less capable which makes the efficiency of the other organs of the body that much harder. Adult onset asthma in someone middle-aged or older can accelerate any worsening lung function they may be suffering from.
Adult onset asthma should be managed correctly because once the lung functioning has deteriorated it never recovers. It is very important preventive medication is prescribed and taken on a regular basis to protect lung function at all times.

Things to remember

a) Adult onset asthma is often a recurrence of childhood asthma,
b) Symptoms can often be confused with other illnesses of middle age, such as heart disease or other chest conditions.
c) People with adult onset asthma usually need to take preventive medication to protect their lung function on a regular basis.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what’s important about Asthma.

About the author:

Please visit MyHealth-Info.com for more information on asthma in adults.

Written By: Masni Rizal Mansor

Posted: October 26th, 2007 under Asthma.
Comments: none

Summer is the time of the year that most of us look forward to but overexposure to heat can cause heat related illnesses.
Summer is the time of year most of us look forward to but with the heat and humidity that accompany it there is a risk of heat related illness. Sunburn is one of the most frequent effects of too much time spent in the sun. Some people with extremely sensitive skin may be prone to sun poisioning when they get a sunburn. Prolonged exposure to excessive heat can cause heat cramps which consist of muscle spasms, excessive sweating and sometimes nausea or vomiting.

Heat exhaustion is a condition that can affect anyone although elderly people and young children are more easily affected. This condition is sometimes confused with heat stroke. If not treated immediately and properly heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. In heat exhaustion there is usually heavy sweating and muscle weakness. The skin may be cool or cold and clammy. Fainting may also occur. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s temperature control malfunctions. The skin becomes hot, dry and flushed. This is a life-threatening condition that may require hospitalization. Immediate treatment is imperative in heat disorders since any delay could result in the condition being fatal. If you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke call an ambulance immediately. Remove as much clothing as possible and sponge bathe the skin with cool water. Use fans or air conditioning to try and cool the person. If they are conscious do not give them any fluids.

Sun and heat exposure can also cause skin rashes such as heat rash. Fair-skinned people are especially prone to heat rash which is caused by excessive sweating that results in reddish blisters that are extremely itchy. Those who are prone to heat rash should always use a sunscreen when planning outdoor activities. Prickly heat is a rash which also occurs when there is excessive perspiration due to heat and humidity. Heat rash is a fine red rash that may last from a few hours to a couple of days.

Those who suffer from chronic conditions which affect the lungs such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), bronchitis, emphysema and asthma should take extra care in extremely hot weather since these conditions are easily aggravated. Extrinsic asthma occurs when there is an allergen in the environment. Those who have been diagnosed with this type of asthma are apt to have more attacks in the spring and summer when allergens are most potent. During cooler months they are able to breathe better and have less attacks.

People who suffer from allergies such as hay fever are also more likely to have attacks during hot, humid weather. They may have periods of excessive sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and difficulty breathing. Even if you are on regular medication you may want to ask your physician about ways to lessen the effects of heat and humidity on your allergies. It may be best to stay indoors and try to keep cool when humidity is at its highest. If you suffer from any type of illness that may be heat aggravated stay out of the heat as much as possible, take extra measures to keep cool, follow your physician’s instructions and have a happy, healthy summer.

About the Author

Darlene Zagata is a freelance writer and poet. Her work has appeared in several electronic and print publications. Darlene is the Editor of the Health department at RITRO.com and she co-authors a column with her son at RaisingASon.com. She is also a Review Editor for MyShelf.com and an Editorial Reviewer for The Writer’s Room Magazine. Her book of poetry “Aftertaste” is now available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Her first book of fiction, “The Choosing” is currently in the process of publication.

Written By: Darlene Zagata

Posted: June 19th, 2007 under Asthma.
Comments: none

Not everyone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease suffers from chronic asthma, but many individuals who experience emphysema or chronic bronchitis have asthma-like symptoms. Medical experts continue to debate whether chronic asthma should be classified as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, since asthma can be reversed.

Chronic asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways; the term asthma is derived from an ancient Greek word which means panting. With chronic asthma, the inflammation leads to the narrowing of the airways, which can cause wheezing, breathlessness, and gasping for air.

Studies indicate that chronic asthma involves two stages: the hyper-reactive response and the inflammatory response. The hyper-reactive response in chronic asthma refers to the constriction of the airways in response to inhaled irritants, while the inflammatory stage involves the production of white blood cells in the airways.

During a chronic asthma attack, the muscle tissue in the walls of the bronchi experiences spasms, causing labored breathing. With chronic asthma, coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing occur almost everyday. In order to combat chronic asthma, several medications may be needed.

Some medical experts speculate that the persistent symptoms of chronic asthma indicate a food allergy. As a result, some doctors encourage those suffering from chronic asthma to revise their diets in order to reduce the incidence of flare-ups.

There are some other simple strategies one can follow in order to alleviate symptoms of chronic asthma. These include removing the cause of chronic asthma, treating the symptoms, or altering the host to be more tolerant of the causes.

If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic asthma, medical experts suggest stopping all smoking and banning cigarette smoke from the house. Chronic asthma patients should also stop the use of volatile chemicals, which may exacerbate one’s symptoms. Ending contact with pets can also alleviate chronic asthma.

The aims of any treatment program for chronic asthma should include: avoiding the trigger factors for chronic asthma, eliminating symptoms, restoring normal lung function, reducing the incidence of severe attacks, and minimizing the side-effects of drugs.

Drug therapy for chronic asthma can fall into three categories. Chronic asthma can be attacked with preventors or anti-inflammatories; relievers, which provide acute relief of symptoms; and controllers, which provide a sustained bronchodilator action with a mild anti-inflammatory action.

It should be noted that there are some misconceptions about the treatment of chronic asthma. For instance, antihistamines do not appear to be an effective chronic asthma treatment strategy. Immunosuppressives such as methotrexate are rarely beneficial for chronic asthma, and acupuncture has a negligible effect.

The basic goals of educating those with chronic asthma include an ability to understand the nature of asthma, an understanding of different types of asthma medication, an understanding of prevention strategies, knowing the correct use of inhalers, and recognizing signs of worsening asthma.

Interestingly enough, chronic asthma is often misdiagnosed in the elderly. Also, older people are more susceptible to the side-effects of drugs used to treat chronic asthma. As a result, senior citizens need special prevention strategies for chronic asthma.

About The Author

If you are interested in your health and well being then you will find some great reading at: http://www.findhealtharticles.com.

Written By: Allan Wilson

Posted: May 29th, 2007 under Asthma.
Comments: none

Because one in five Canadians is living with a serious lung disease, The Lung Association specializes in giving you advice and information about how to control asthma, improve the quality of life for people with breathing difficulty due to lung illness and fund respiratory medical research.

The Lung Association helps people with asthma by helping them to understand: what asthma is; how it can affect you; the symptoms; how to avoid asthma triggers; treatment options; up-to-date information about asthma medications; and most importantly, how to achieve good asthma management.

For those who identify themselves in one of the following categories: a current or former person who smokes; been exposed to occupational dusts; or maybe even excessive outdoor air pollution, you may suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. We can help you and your family to cope with the emotional hurdles and physical challenges of living with COPD and we understand that COPD is a disease that can affect every part of your life. We can offer the support and practical information you need to live life to the fullest with COPD and help you to learn more about what it is, its symptoms and diagnosis. Our COPD educators will provide you with free information, resources, and support. Visit the Web site www.lung.ca/ breathworks or call our toll-free Breath Works helpline at 1-888-566-5864 (LUNG).

Since our lives depend on every breath we take, The Lung Association provides information to help you take simple actions that will make a positive difference to the indoor air you breathe.

Did you know that the air indoors can sometimes be as hazardous as the air outside on a smoggy summer day? That’s important to know because on average, we spend between 80 and 90 percent of our time indoors. Our activities and the products we use can cause indoor air quality problems and can be made worse without adequate ventilation. We’ll tell you how you can use less toxic cleaning products; ensure adequate ventilation, and look for potential pollutants such as mould and fungus. Let us help you to keep your indoor air clean. Call us for advice and get your free copy of our Healthy Home Audit.

Something as simple as breathing is difficult for one in five Canadians. Your support is needed through our Christmas Seal Campaign, because, when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters. Call our toll-free number 1-888-566-5864 (LUNG) or visit us at www.lung.ca.

About the author:

News Canada

Posted: August 4th, 2006 under Asthma.
Comments: none