Asthma Explained as Simply as Possible

Asthma is a disease of the airways in the lungs. It can make breathing very difficult in three different ways. First of all, the airways seem to tighten up. I have had many a patient say that "my lungs are tight", or "my chest feels tight". When listening to their breath sounds, one can hear wheezing or little air movement. Secondly, there is inflammation in the airways. This makes it very hard to exhale and again the sound that one hears is wheezing. The third way that asthma affects ones breathing is sensitive or over active airways. Things that do not affect people without asthma, can throw an asthmatic into a full blown asthma attack.

Things that can cause an Asthma Attack include the following, but are in no way limited to these few things:

1. Stress or other strong emotions
2. Smoking or second hand smoke.
3. Irritants such as strong perfumes, strong cleaning agents such as bleach or air pollutions.
4. Infections such as the flu, colds, sinus infections and the like.
5. Allergens. Allergy season is in full bloom right now. Pollens, molds, pet dander, etc...

The most common treatments to control asthma are for both the tightness and the inflammation of the airways. First of all, bronchodialators are generally prescribed.

Before I go any further, let me say this. If you or your child have asthma, please get treatment from a Pulmonologist. Go to a lung specialist. Your medical doctor I am sure is wonderful, but all the new medications out for asthma, all of the new treatments, well, the Pulmonologist studies them at length and knows which one is best for your asthma. The Pulmologist will do testing to determine exactly what will help your asthma symptoms and keep them under control and to a minimum. Asthma should always be taken seriously. The American Lung association says "When you can't breathe, nothing else matters". Go to a doctor who's speciality is your breathing. Take it seriously.

Bronchodilators that are commonly prescribed are the following: (this is in no way a complete list. This is a list of those that are most common.)

First of all, fast acting bronchodilators. These can be given via a nebulizer or an MDI (puffer).

Albuterol, Levealbuterol, Ipatroprium Bromide

Long Lasting Bronchodiators:

Spriva, Serevent

Anti inflammatory medications which are corticosteroids:

Flovent, Advair (also contains serevent), pulmicort etc.

It is very important to take this medication as your doctor orders. If you are beginning to need more of the fast acting bronchodilators, more of the rescue inhalers, you may need to call the doctor. If you feel that nothing is helping and your breathing is worse, do not hesitate to get yourself or your loved one to the hospital emergency room. Remember, when an illness, any illness, affects one's breathing, it is so very important to take it seriously.

I hope that I have explained this so that it can be understood. I wish you good breathing.