Introduction
Asthma is a disease that affects many different people, from the very young to the elderly. Asthma is the narrowing of the bronchial tubes in the lungs that help you get your breath and expand the lungs to their full capacity. Asthma exacerbation occurs when the chest tightens, you can not get your lungs to the full capacity and you start wheezing. For the person suffering an attack it can be very frightening and scary. If it happens to your child, it can also be scary for you. There are many different degrees of asthma diseases that can trigger an attack. Most people that have asthma have an underlying problem that triggers the attacks. Some attacks are brought on by exercise and some are caused by allergens. Usually, asthma runs in families and either a parent or a grandparent will have had it. Some kids do outgrow it as they get older or it becomes less of a problem.
History
Asthma was once thought to be a psychosomatic disease and was just a way for a child to get their mothers attention. It was thought that psychiatric help with depression would help the person suffering from the wheezing and gasping. This was all refuted and asthma was then known as an actual physical disease. There are many asthma diseases that are all linked together. Most people with asthma also have hay fever, allergies to airborne pollutants and have different types of asthma. Some asthma is caused by exercise and is called exercise induced asthma, there is also child onset asthma, adult onset asthma, and cough induced asthma, nocturnal asthma and a few others. Some people have more attacks at the change of the seasons as well. When kids would get an asthma attack back in the 1950’s, most would be put in the hospital. Now days, hospital stays are not as common because of the advances in medicines.
Features
There are many ways to control the different asthma diseases that can happen. If a young child has asthma they will likely be using a machine called a nebulizer. A nebulizer machine has a mask that fits over the nose and mouth with medicine that is put into the chamber. It is inhaled and helps to stop the asthma attack and make breathing easier for the child. When kids are school aged, they will more than likely have a rescue inhaler to keep at school and one for the house. Since most asthma has an underlying condition that is usually allergies, you might have to take an allergy medicine on a daily basis. This can help to keep your asthma attacks at bay. The important thing to know about the different asthma diseases is to find what triggers an attack and try to avoid them at all cost. This is not easy when you are out in public, but can be done at home.
Tips and comments
Knowing what is causing your asthma diseases is half the battle. If you are suffering from asthma, it is very important that you get to the doctor. He will either send you to an asthma and allergy specialist or do test himself. Knowing what can trigger an attack can literally save your life. Many different things can cause you to have an attack from dust, pet dander, perfumed cleaning supplies, cologne and perfume, tobacco smoke, pollen and other air borne allergens. Listening to your doctor and monitoring how you are breathing at home can help you ward off an attack.
