Oct 26
2007

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

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Jun 19
2007

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

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Jan 20
2007

Senior persons admittedly are more prone to different physical and mental ailments, but youth does not necessarily ensure against disease, especially in case of those young persons who are weak or sickly, physically challenged, or susceptible to diseases like heart attacks, strokes, epileptic fits or fainting, allergies, memory impairment, pulmonary conditions, asthma, COPD, hearing or vision problems or similar medical emergencies.

Their family members or caretakers have to go out for work, leaving them alone at home. Also, these sick persons too may have to work due to financial constraints. In some cases, particularly with old people, the spouse may have died and the children are far away. Then there are millions of persons living alone who are prone to medical emergencies. Problem may occur at night, when nobody is around. Even healthy persons, with their hectic lifestyles in work-to-meet-the-deadline environments, are vulnerable to various types of heart and brain diseases, accidents and food poisoning.

Medical Alerts, in such situations, can be of great help in summoning timely medical aid, though carrying or wearing these alerts does publicly advertise the sickness of the person. They identify the medical problems of the wearers. Unfortunately, this medical identification, though of critical importance for the patients, creates complexes in the minds of image-conscious wearers and hurt their sensibilities.

To overcome this problem, the designers of medical jewelry have come up with solutions in form of acceptable fashionable accessories, like pendants and bracelets, which are easy to use. They try to arrive at a compromise between the necessity of communicating the disease to medical experts and the ostensible awkwardness of wearing the alerts.

These Medical Alerts are in fact electronic gadgets fitted with transmitter buttons, embedded in the pendants, that send SOS signals to the monitoring agencies who in turn alert the friends and family members of the patients and, more importantly, their doctors. The signals are sent either by telephone or radio frequencies. Depending upon the nature of disease, various Medical Alerts are available in the market and their use can avert tragedy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Medical Alert System provides detailed information on medical alerts, medical alert system, medical alert bracelets, medical alert necklaces and more. Medical Alert System is affiliated with Advanced Medical Transport.

Written By: Max Bellamy

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Aug 4
2006

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

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