Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
Asthma occurs in all ages but is most common among children with 5 % to 10% of school-age children having symptoms of asthma. Asthma could also develop in infants, but it usually develops after the third birthday.
There are six main types of asthma:
1. Intrinsic asthma- caused by inhaled allergens like dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pollens, and animal feathers
2. Extrinsic asthma- caused by infection usually viral and environmental stimuli like pollution
3. Mixed asthma- a combination of both intrinsic and extrinsic
4. Aspirin-induced asthma- caused by ingestion of aspirin and related compounds
5. Exercise-induced asthma- in which respiratory symptoms like difficulty in breathing would occur 5 to 20 minutes of exercise
6. Occupational asthma- caused by industrial fumes and smokes, dust and gases.
Among all the six types of asthma, intrinsic asthma appears to be the most common type of asthma affecting all age groups.
During asthma attacks, a person would feel to have chest tightness, increasing episodes of coughing, dyspnea or difficulty of breathing, anxiety, and nasal flaring. Diagnostic evaluations like skin testing in order to identify the causative allergens, chest x-ray rules out other potential lung diseases and sputum exam in order to detect infection is also used for diagnosis.
Prevention and Supportive Care:
1. Avoid carbonated drinks like soda which may contribute to acidosis.
2. Avoid iced fluids which may cause bronchospasm. Iced fluids causes vasoconstriction in your bronchial airway.
3. In order to facilitate breathing, have the person sit upright in a chair leaning forward on a table. This facilitates breathing by promoting lung expansion especially during asthma attacks.
4. Wear scarf across the nose and mouth if cold weather triggers asthma.
5. Encourage increase water intake to promote expectoration of secretions.
6. Avoid substances such as gases, fumes and smoke which are known to trigger bronchospasm or difficulty of breathing.
7. Encourage deep breathing exercise. For children at home, blowing cotton balls across a table top or blowing large soap bubbles are also forms of deep breathing exercise.
8. Avoid emotional stress as they could trigger asthma attacks. Try to avoid upsetting and depressing situation.
9. Encourage regular exercise in order to improve cardio respiratory and musculoskeletal conditioning.
Alternative treatments like acupuncture, herbal preparations, yoga and even chiropractics are now also suggested for the treatment of acute and chronic asthma. However, none of them is a substitute for the usual medical treatment.
Another great activity for asthmatic individuals out there is going out on a camping trip. Camping allows you to exercise your breathing and allows you to increase and improve your stamina and your cardio respiratory and musculoskeletal level in your body. Whenever I go out for camping, I use my favorite Texsport 3 season tent and other 3 season tent. For me, nothing compares to this tent. They always work like a pro.
Filed under: Diabetic Medical Supplies
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