How doctor diagnosed asthma in children?

How doctor diagnosed asthma in children?

Your doctor can diagnose by the symptoms that tell the parents and the child, as well as chest auscultarle. It is very useful to measure lung capacity through a flowmeter (peak flow meter), a simple device that measures the speed with which the child expels air from her lungs. This measurement can be done in the office and at home, which is particularly effective in very intermittent or where triggered by exercise or that occur more at night.
However, the best diagnostic aid is the good treatment response test is often prescribed for the symptoms.

Asthma medication

Very often it is necessary to administer medication to the child, in order to:
•    Eliminate the symptoms, allowing social reintegration through play and exercise
•    Attenuating allergic reactions in the body and alleviate airway inflammation
•    Reduce or eliminate the long-term effects of inflammation on the lungs, allowing normal development.
Medications for asthma are basically like those used in adults, with some particularities. They are classified into two groups:

Bronchodilators

Quick effect, relaxing the bronchial muscles and relieve symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. They are part of the emergency treatment of acute asthma attacks.

Inflammatory

Or prophylactic acting longer term, reducing bronchial inflammation .
Both groups can be combined.

How causes asthma in children?

How causes asthma in children?

Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, so that between 1 and 2% of all children suffer from asthma attacks in childhood, and between 15 and 20% of all children experience some difficulty attack respiratory wheezing, fail to develop asthma. However, about 50% of children diagnosed with asthma come to heal upon reaching adulthood.
Generally, children have asthma attacks during the cold of origin virus , also allergic irritants and can cause it, such as:
•    Pollens from trees or grasses
•    Skin, hair and pet dander
•    Foods such as milk or eggs
•    Dust mites domestic
•    Microscopic fungi and molds.

What does worsen childhood asthma?

There are a number of irritants that exist in the environment that contribute to worsening asthma attacks.
•    Exposure to substances you are allergic
•    Snuff smoke (cigarettes or pipe)
•    Common Colds
•    Pollution and dust
•    Efforts and exercise (this does not mean that they should not exercise, but specific medication applied before).

When to see a doctor?

Parents should take their children to the doctor at the mere suspicion that they have asthma, according to the symptoms described above. If your child is already diagnosed, and medication does not work or seems to make it worse, do not hesitate to consult your doctor and if any infection of the respiratory tract.
You need to consult a doctor urgently if:
•    The child has difficulty breathing
•    The skin or lips change color and become very pale or blue
•    Shortness of breath worsens dramatically
•    Asthma crisis is much worse than usual.

What is an asthma attack?

What is an asthma attack?

The asthma is a chronic disease of the airways in which alternate crisis breathlessness and cough, caused by inflammation of the bronchi, with relatively normal periods. Crises can be mild, moderate or severe, with a variable duration from a few minutes to several days, and may occur at any time.

During an asthma attack, inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract and contraction or spasm of the circular muscles of the bronchi causing a decrease in the size of these pathways, causing shortness of breath and wheezing.

What can make asthma symptoms in children?

The basis for suspecting asthma symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing or noisy breathing. However, children may have some peculiarities.
In young children, from 0-3 years, the symptoms may include:
•    Noise (hiss) when breathing air
•    Cough, shortness of breath, wheezing or wheezing with exercise
•    Prolonged coughing, especially at night or worsen at night, not caused by a cold
•    Malaise
•    Colds and repetition that are slow to heal.
In children aged 3-15 years, the symptoms are:

Did you know that ...

•    50% of children who suffer from it are cured with age?
•    is the most common chronic childhood disease?
•    up to 20% of children suffer some respiratory disorder, although not develop asthma?
•    Hissing noise when breathing (expel) the air
•    Prolonged cough, especially at night or early morning
•    Nighttime awakenings with cough
•    Inactivity, lack of desire to participate in games or exercises that require physical exertion.

Allergy and Asthma Control in the Home

Allergy and Asthma Control in the Home

Particles in the Air We Breathe

The air we breathe carries many particles of different types and sizes. Some large particles may settle on the walls and furniture of your home. Other large particles are separated from the air through the nose and mouth when you inhale. The smaller particles are sucked into the depths of the lungs.

Asthma can be triggered by large and small particles. Some particles found in the air originate indoors. Others are carried in the outside air. Foreign particles enter your home through windows, doors and heating systems.

For most people, the particles are in the indoor air will not cause any problems. But people with allergic symptoms, including asthma, may have problems in the same household.

The "Triggers" Asthma and Allergies

If you or someone you know have allergic symptoms or asthma, are sensitive to "triggers", which include the airborne particles. These "triggers" may initiate a reaction in your lungs and other parts of your body. The triggers can be found in the interior or exterior. They can be simple things like:
1.    Cold air
2.    Snuff smoke and wood smoke
3.    Perfume, paint, hair spray, or different strong odors or fumes
4.    Allergens (particles that cause allergies) such as dust mites, pollen, mold, pollutants and animal dander (which is made up of tiny scales or particles that emerge from the hair, feathers or skin) of any animal domestic
5.    Common cold, flu or other respiratory diseases.

Identifying triggers is not always easy. If you know what your triggers, reduce exposure to them can help prevent asthma attacks and allergies.

If you do not know what triggers your asthma and allergy problems, try to limit their exposure to a suspected factor at a time. Look to see if it improves. This may show if that trigger is a problem for you.

Controlling The Triggers

Here are some common triggers and several ways to help control them at home:

Snuff smoke

No smoking should be allowed in the house of someone who has asthma or allergies. Ask family members and friends to smoke outside. Suggest that they stop smoking.

Wood smoke

The wood smoke is a problem for children and adults with asthma and allergies. Avoid stoves and fireplaces.

Pets

Almost all pets or pets can cause allergies, including dogs and especially cats. Small animals such as birds, hamsters and guinea pigs can cause problems, so that all pets should be removed from the home if they trigger asthma and allergy symptoms.

The allergens from pets can stay in the house for months after the pet has been removed, because they persist in house dust. It may take some time to begin to improve allergy and asthma symptoms.

If the pet remains at home, keep it out of the bedroom of anyone with asthma or allergies. The animal weekly baths can help reduce the amount of saliva and pet dander found in the house.

Sometimes we hear that some cats or dogs are "non-allergenic." There is no such thing as a cat or dog "non-allergenic," especially if you leave dander and saliva in the house. Japanese fish and other tropical fish can be good substitutes.

Cockroaches

Even cockroaches can cause problems, so it is important to get rid of cockroaches in your home. The cockroach allergen comes from dead insects and their droppings. It accumulates in house dust and is difficult to remove. Careful cleaning of your home will help.

Indoor Molds

When the humidity is high, mold can be a problem in bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Make sure these areas have good air circulation and are cleaned often. The basement in particular may need a dehumidifier. And remember that water from the dehumidifier must be emptied and the container cleaned often to prevent mold from forming.

When you sweat, mold can form in hulespuma pillows (polyurethane foam). To avoid the formation of molds, place the pillow in a pillow case in which it can not penetrate the air and seal it with tape. Wash your pillow every week, and be sure to change it every year.

Also formed in houseplants molds, so that consideration must frequently. You may need to keep all your plants outside.

Strong odors or fumes

The perfume, air fresheners, cleaning chemicals, paint and talc are examples of triggers that should be avoided or kept at very low concentrations.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are minute spiders, microscopic size, typically found in house dust. In a pinch of dust can be several thousand mites. Mites are one of the main triggers for people with allergies and asthma. Dust mites are the most difficult to remove.
Use a solution to control allergies, a cleaner that can kill the mite allergen. Consult your doctor or pharmacist what cleaner should buy.

Following these rules can also help you get rid of dust mites:

•    Place mattresses in cases in which the air can not penetrate. Place tape throughout the closure.
•    Póngales the covers on pillows that can not penetrate the air. Place tape throughout the closure. Or wash the pillow each week.
•    Wash all bedding weekly in water at a temperature of at least 130 degrees F. Remove the comforter or bedspread at night may be helpful.
•    Do not sleep or lie on upholstered furniture (padded).
•    Remove carpets or rugs from the bedroom.
•    Shake the dust from the surface as often as possible.
•    When cleaning, use a damp mop or damp cloth.
•    Do not use aerosols or spray cleaners in the chamber.
•    And do not clean or vacuum the room when this someone with asthma or allergies.
•    Curtains and window blinds attract dust. Use blinds or curtains made of plastic or other washable for easy cleaning.
•    Remove upholstered furniture and stuffed animals (unless it can be washed), and anything that is under the bed.
•    The closets need extra care. Only must contain the necessary clothing. A procedure that can be useful is close plastic bags with clothespins. (Do not use plastic bags to cover dry cleaning clothes).
•    A dust mites like moisture. Reduce humidity in your home can decrease the number of mites. A dehumidifier can be helpful.
•    Air filters may be of limited utility to keep your home cleaner and more comfortable. Consult your doctor for advice about air filters.
•    Cover air inlets of the chamber with several layers of cheesecloth to reduce the number of large size allergenic particles entering the chamber.

General Rules to Help Manage Your Home Environment

The control of the domestic environment is an important part of care of patients with asthma and allergies. Some general rules for home control to be followed by all members of the family are:
1.    Reduce or eliminate your home many triggers of asthma and allergies as possible.
2.    If possible, use filters and air conditioners for your home cleaner and more comfortable.
3.    Pay attention to the problem of dust mites. Strive to control this problem in the bedroom.
4.    Agitated vacuums dust and allergens found in the air. A vacuum cleaner with an air filter or a central vacuum with a bag collector outside the house may be of limited utility. Anyone with asthma or allergies should avoid vacuuming. If necessary use, can be useful dust mask.

Inhaled Medications for Asthma

Inhaled Medications for Asthma

The best way to administer medicines to treat asthma is inhaled. They have introduced many different devices in recent decades to allow asthmatics of all ages to use inhaled medications to help control your breathing problem.

The main advantages of inhaled medications are: (1) direct administration to the point causing the problem (the bronchi and bronchioles that lead to the lungs) and (2) the lack of side effects related to drugs given systemically (usually orally).

Inhaled Medication Types

They are available in inhaled four types of asthma medications:

1.    Beta2 agonist bronchodilators, which are most commonly used. These include albuterol, bitolterol, pirbutero, and terbutaline, which are used as medicines "rescue" to relieve asthma attacks. These inhalants can be utilized in excess, the use of more than one bottle per month is cause for concern. Salmeterol is a bronchodilator new long-acting beta2 agonist that is used to maintain control as asthma.
2.    The Ipratropium is an anticholinergic bronchodilator.
3.    Inhaled corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs. Examples include beclomethasone, budesonide (expected to be approved soon for use in the U.S.), flunisolide, fluticasone and triamcinolone.
4.    Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as cromolyn and nedocromil.

Types of Devices for Inhalation

There are three basic types of devices used to administer inhaled drugs. The most common of these is the metered dose inhaler (MDI). All medications listed are available with IDM.
Nebulizers are often used for infants and young children with asthma and in patients with acute disease of all ages. These devices administer medication droplets using oxygen or air under pressure. Currently available in the U.S. for nebulization albuterol, ipratropium, cromoglycate, budesonide.
Inhalers are used to administer cromolyn rotation, and are currently used for inhaled albuterol. A similar device has been tested in the U.S. for inhalation of budesonide and will be available soon. Most inhaled medications for asthma are obtained in this way as the government is concerned about the environmental effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used as agents in most MDIs.

Spacers and Cameras

Many young children and some adults have trouble coordinating inhalation with the firing of a metered dose inhaler (MDI). These patients may prefer to use a spacer. Studies show that a higher percentage of the drug is deposited in the lower respiratory tract, instead of the throat after the use of an MDI with a large volume spacer. Those chambers and support one-way valves to prevent the escape of medicament have the advantage of allowing the asthmatic breathing pace closer while inhaling is effective doses of medicine. At least one version of a large volume spacer chamber and a valve is available with a mask that comes in three sizes for infants, children and adults.

Proper Training Needed

All metered-dose inhaler (MDI) have instructions. It is very important to follow these instructions carefully. Individuals with asthma and / or their caretakers should ask the physician to prescribe them to give them a demonstration of specific WDR is used. This must be done again at the pharmacy if necessary. It shall review the technical monitoring visits. IDM types used to administer albuterol, beclomethasone, cromolyn, fluticasone, ipratropium, nedocromil, salmeterol and terbutaline are all very similar. The following instructions apply to all these inhalers:

(1) Shake the inhaler well immediately before each use.
(2) Remove the mouthpiece cover. If no cap, check the nozzle opening it to see if there is any foreign objects before each use.
(3) Make sure the pot is not empty remembering how many puffs have been administered. A manufacturer includes a "sprays Checker" on patient indications. There is also market a device that the patient can insert into your inhaler to record the number of puffs applied. For maintenance medications taken daily, you can divide the number of inhalations per boat (written on the boat and / or patient information that comes with the medicine) by the number of daily sprays to calculate how many days it will last and when to change your IDM. The immersion method widely used is probably very little accurate to trust him.
(4) Check the spray the inhaler before using for the first time or have not been used in more than four weeks. (No need to do it after every time I go to use).
(5) Exhale through your mouth to empty the lungs.
(6) Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, leaving the tongue below. Alternatively, the inhaler can be placed at 1 or 2 inches away from the open mouth.
(7) While breathing in deeply and slowly through your mouth, press down firmly and fully on top of the metal canister with your index finger.
(8) Continue to inhale all you can and try to hold your breath for 5-10 seconds. Before breathing out, remove the inhaler from your mouth and remove your finger from the bottle.
(9) Wait 30-60 seconds and shake the inhaler again. Repeat these steps for each inhalation prescribed by your doctor.
(10) Place the cover instead of the nozzle after each use.
(11) Clean the inhaler thoroughly and frequently. Remove the metal canister and cleanse the plastic case and cover with hot tap water rinsing at least once a day. Do not soak metal cans containing cromolyn and nedocromil. After thoroughly drying the plastic case and cap, put in place the pot gently by rotating and replace the cap.
(12) Discard the canister after you have used the labeled number of inhalations. No one can be sure of the correct amount of medication after this point.
Note: MDI used for administering bitolterol, pilbuterol, and triamcinolone are somewhat different from the other. It is very important to follow the specific instructions including these inhalers. The spacers and tubes that are in commerce also come with instructions that modify in any way the instructions mentioned. To "rest assured" get specific training for each prescribed inhalers.

Using Nebulizers

Many nebulizers on the market. The most expensive are laptops with features like lightweight size, battery packs and adapters for use in automobiles. But even less expensive nebulizers administered in an effective drugs for asthma in fine droplets through masks of different sizes for infants to adults, through T-tubes or nozzle adapters. Nebulized medications for asthma are especially useful in infants, young children and some elderly patients who can not use an MDI, even with an air mask. It is also often useful in older children and adults to help reverse acute asthma attack.

Again, proper training is necessary. This can be provided by clinic staff or the doctor who prescribed nebulized therapy. This training is often provided by medical supply companies that equip nebulizers. Your staff will go to the patient's home to deliver the nebulizer and train.

Outpatient Treatment of Asthma

Outpatient Treatment of Asthma

Asthma is a disease of the airways characterized by three problems obstruction, inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. Asthma requires ongoing medical care.

According to the report of the Guidelines for the Management of Asthma Diagnosis y0 (for physicians) issued by the National Asthma Education, asthma has four phases:

The use of objective measures of lung function (spirometry, peak expiratory flow) to assess the severity of asthma and to monitor the course of treatment.

Drug treatment designed to reverse and prevent the inflammatory component of the airways in asthma treat bronchospasm addition of airways;

Environmental control measures to avoid or eliminate factors that induce or trigger asthma exacerbations, also considering as an alternative to immunotherapy in selected cases;

Truthful information to the patient on Asthma (Medical Education), which involves the doctor (as a promoter), the patient and his family.

According to these guidelines, there are five targets for effective asthma treatment:

•    To achieve and maintain levels (almost) optimal pulmonary function indices
•    Achieve and maintain normal activity levels, including exercise
•    Controlling chronic and troublesome symptoms (eg., Cough or shortness of breath at night, early in the morning or after exertion)
•    Preventing acute relapses (episodes) Recurring asthma;

Avoid adverse effects from asthma medications.

There are generally two groups of drugs to treat asthma: anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Anti-inflammatory agents stop and help prevent the development of inflammation in the airways, these include corticosteroids, cromoglycate, the nedocromil, and, lately, the anti-leukotrienes.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs more effective for treating asthma. Corticosteroids may be administered orally or inhaled.

Generally the oral form is used for short periods of time when the patient's asthma is out of control. The likely effects of prolonged use very frequent or long-term effects include weight gain, elevated blood pressure, cataracts, bone weakness, muscle weakness and swelling (edema).
Inhaled corticosteroids are safe and effective for the treatment of asthma. Since this drug acts on the inflammatory phase of asthma, is used as first-line drug for moderate and severe asthma. Possible side effects include candidiasis (a type of fungus or "thrush") in the mouth and throat, and occasional cough caused by the aerosol device.

Cromolyn Sodium and Nedocromil

Sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil are drugs less anti-inflammatory effect than steroids. They serve as preventive inhaled directly into the lungs to prevent immediate and delayed symptoms. They work by stopping the effects of environmental allergens or irritants (including exercise and exposure to cold air and sulfur dioxide).

Not for oral use. Sodium cromoglycate is in the form of inhalable powder to be used with a rotary inhaler device, there is also a liquid for use with nebulizers and a form of metered dose aerosol. The nedocromil comes as a metered dose aerosol only. These two medications do not have serious side effects.

Anti-Leukotrienes

Is a relatively new group of drugs that act in one phase of the inflammatory process, inhibiting the production or blocking the effects of leukotrienes, which are highly potent chemical mediators of inflammation in asthma. It has already approved its use for mild to moderate asthmas as continuous use preventive medications.

Bronchodilators

The main role of bronchodilators is to open the airway relaxes the bronchial muscle. The two main types of bronchodilators are beta-adrenergic agonists (beta2-agonists) and methylxanthines (theophylline). Another group of minor anticholinergics are occasionally used for asthma.

Beta Adrenergic Agonists

Beta2 adrenergic agonists act by relaxing the muscle of the airway to assist in the control of persistent narrowing of the airways. They are adrenaline-like drugs that can be administered in oral (syrup or tablets), by nebulization, metered dose aerosol or by injection.
The injections are used primarily in emergency situations. Inhaled beta2 agonists are the drug of choice for treatment of acute asthma outbreaks and to prevent exercise-induced asthma.

Methylxanthines

Theophylline is the main methylxanthine used for the treatment of asthma. It serves as a bronchodilator in mild to moderate power. The sustained release formulation is useful for controlling nocturnal asthma. It is used sometimes associated with beta2 agonists for greater bronchodilation. It can also help reduce muscle fatigue and has some anti-inflammatory benefits. The main drawback is that theophyllines are common side effects, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, nervousness and insomnia.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy (allergy shots) is a treatment method scientifically tested and approved for use in moderate or severe Allergic Asmas when the combined use of drugs and environmental control measures do not achieve the goals set out at the beginning. Comprises injection of small amounts of allergen to the patient. This helps create tolerance or resistance (permanent or temporary) to the allergens that cause asthma exacerbations. Allergen concentrations increase with the passage of time up to a limit, to reduce or eliminate the patient's allergy symptoms.

Environmental Measures

Between 75% and 85% of patients with asthma have varying types and degrees of allergies. This reinforces the concept that the control of allergies will be beneficial for allergic asthma patient. To prevent allergic reactions, are essential environmental control measures to reduce exposure to allergens and irritants (chemical or physical) indoors and outdoors.

For outdoor allergens

Reduce exposure to outdoor allergens staying indoors when the pollen count and humidity levels are high, especially on windy days it spread dust and pollen. Minimize early morning activity when pollen is issued more frequently. Keep windows closed, especially at night and preferably use air conditioning, which cleans, cools and dries the air.

For indoor allergens

House dust Components: House dust itself is not an allergen, but what is in it can cause allergic reactions. House dust can be formed of animal allergens (if you are allergic, get rid of all warm-blooded animals in the house), house dust mites (found in mattresses, pillows, carpets, furniture, carpets, blankets, clothing and toys soft) and cockroach allergens.

Mold (fungi) Interior: The interior mold can be found in bathrooms, carpets, basements, kitchens and other wet areas. Allow adequate ventilation and frequent cleaning of these areas. Dehumidifiers shall be fixed in less than 50 percent but 25 percent.

Air Control Devices: There are several devices that help control indoor allergens indoors. These include air conditioners, air cleaning units inside, humidifiers and vacuum cleaners.

The apparatus for cleaning indoor air can be helpful, but even more important is to control the source of allergens. The particulate air filter high efficiency HEPA is the most effective and can be used in central heating and cooling systems (cooling) or independent power.

Vacuums can spread allergens during use, therefore allergic patients should wear a mask when vacuuming. There HEPA filters that can adapt to some brands of vacuum cleaner.

Humidifiers are important sources of mold growth if not cleaned properly. Placing the high moisture level, promotes growth of fungi. Put the unit level between 25 and 50 percent humidity.

Other irritants: There are other irritants that can cause exacerbations in patients with asthma. These include snuff smoke, smoke from wood stoves, strong smells, aerosols and air pollutants, including ozone and sulfur dioxide.

It is essential that all patients with Asthma dagnóstico perform these environmental measures as the most important part of their treatment regimen, which will result in better control, and consequently, in a reduced need for other treatments (drugs or vaccines) .

School Asthma in Children

School Asthma in Children

Since the school is the other child's house, is one of the most important environments to protect children. The school boards should be aware to understand asthma and its impact on the child with asthma. It shall take appropriate steps to meet the needs of these children. Since there are nearly five million children with asthma under 18 years of age in the United States, is a real problem.

So the normally unfold asthmatic child at school, everyone involved (child, family, physician, and school staff) must work together to prevent and / or manage asthma at school. It is important for the child to have a positive and healthy learning environment.

What Should Parents Do?

1.    Parents should alert the school staff about the child's asthma. To do so they must meet with the teacher, the nurse, and perhaps the director, at the beginning of the school year.

2.    Explain that your child has asthma, what medicines should he / she take and the side effects they can have. The asthmatic child should be treated "normal" as that given to other children.

3.    Encourage teachers to allow the child to take their medicine when required without giving too much importance.

Raising Asthma Symptoms

There are common problems facing the child with asthma. One problem is the high absenteeism due to increased asthma symptoms or doctor visits. Rarely teachers send a child home because they think that cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing or colds are "contagious".

A knowledgeable teacher reduces these problems. In some cases, you will need additional tutoring for children with asthma. But at any cost the child should stay in school. Daily activities should be carried out as usual, parents should try to send the child to school even mild symptoms of asthma.

Good communication between parents and school officials allow the child with mild attend school. In order to do this it is necessary that the child can take medicine at school and parents can easily be reached in case of an emergency.

Sometimes, children with asthma use their illness as an excuse for not going to school or participate in school activities specific. Parents and teachers need to recognize this and discourage this behavior.

Medication at School

Take the medication at school can be very difficult since most children with asthma want to hide the need for medications. School authorities also misinformed sometimes make it impossible for the child with asthma take medicines. In other cases some children refuse to go to another school site (school nurse or secretary) to take their medications.

The school officials and parents should create an environment that shows the child with asthma that is acceptable to take your medication at school. With the approval of the physician and parents, the child with asthma can take your dose inhalers (MDI) and use them properly. It should establish the needs of each child with asthma.

Side Effects of Drugs

The side effects of medication can be a real problem. These effects may include headache and tremors, stomach pain, or sleep (also by an attack at midnight, etc..), And these can affect a child's learning ability.

Several of these drugs can also affect the concentration level of the child and can also affect your handwriting. Teachers should be aware that asthma drugs can affect a child's ability to act and / or behave properly. They should inform parents of any problems so they can treat it with appropriate changes in asthma management program of the child (eg drug dose changes, medication changes).

Physical Education and Sports

Participating in physical education and organized sports teams sometimes creates problems in the child with asthma. Proper education of everyone involved should help avoid embarrassment and / or unwillingness to exercise.

By reluctance to separate from their peers, children often avoid going to the school office to use their MDIs before exercise. Allowing children to carry their IDM avoids this problem, and improves participation.

Some environmental conditions (cold, dry air, wind, pollution, high levels of allergens) can cause more asthma symptoms with exercise. The child and teacher / coach should know what medications administered to prevent exercise-induced asthma. It is important to continue an exercise program to prevent or adequately reduce the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma.

Before you start an asthmatic child physical education class at school, the child's doctor must write a letter to the teacher / physical education coach specifying the nature of exercise-induced asthma, prevention techniques, and explain warning signs the asthma management program of the child.
The school must help the asthmatic child to participate in sports and physical education and hope that each one knows his own limitations.

Other Problems

There are other problems that a child with asthma or allergy can be found in school. Sometimes the classroom can be allergens and irritants as pets, dusty carpets, old blackboards or mold. The presence of any allergenic pet in the classroom (hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rabbits, etc..) Should be discarded.

Adequate ventilation of the classroom is essential, especially when children are working with chemicals for art projects, scientists, etc.. Sometimes, to avoid these scents is necessary for the child changes classrooms.

Some children with nasal allergies are associated ear problems which may interfere with your hearing. It should teach the teachers to find evidence of hearing loss, including inattention, trouble following directions, behavioral changes and signs of deteriorating job performance.

Some children with asthma and allergies who have severe sensitivity or allergy to food or food preservatives. These children need their parents to discuss any problems expected with the cafeteria staff. Some days the cafeteria will have to give some alternative food or the child will need to bring your own food.

It takes teamwork to function normally asthmatic children in school. The family, the school staff and the child with asthma should work together. This team effort will help create a positive and healthy environment for the child.

What will confirm the diagnosis of asthma in children?

What will confirm the diagnosis of asthma in children?

Medical history

The doctor will seriously consider a diagnosis of asthma if the child has a history of periodic attacks of breathlessness, coughing and wheezing, perhaps accompanied by chest tightness. Parents should describe the pattern of symptoms and possible precipitation factors, including whether the episodes often occur at night, if they are more frequent during spring or fall (common allergy seasons), and if the exercise , a respiratory infection or exposure to cold air has ever triggered an attack. The doctor should be informed about any family member have a history of allergic disorders such as eczema, urticaria or rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages).

Pulmonary function tests

If asthma is suspected, the doctor will usually perform pulmonary function tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the disease. Using a spirometer, an instrument that measures the air taken in and exhaled through the lungs, the doctor will determine several values: (1) vital capacity (VC acronym in English), which is the maximum volume of air that can be inhaled or exhaled , (2) the rate of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR, by acronym in English), which is the maximum flow rate that can be generated during a forced exhalation, (3) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1 acronym English), which is the maximum volume of air expired in one second. During an attack. reducing airway FEV1 and PEFR decrease.

If these measurements indicate that a degree of airway obstruction is present, the doctor may administer a bronchodilator (a drug that opens the airways) and then measure lung function again - revocation of obstruction confirms a diagnosis of asthma . If there are no signs of airflow obstruction when the patient is examined, the doctor may perform a challenge test by administering a drug (histamine or methacholine) to induce an increase in airway resistance. A positive response to this test indicates that the child has asthma.

Diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma

A simple test can be used to examine the exercise-induced asthma in a school or medical office. After breathing into a spirometer, the child up and down a step until a heart rate of 150-200 beats per minute is maintained, detected with a monitor attached to the child's chest. After three and ten minutes, the child is breathing into the spirometer, if FEV1 has fallen over 15%, asthma is suspected and the child is referred to an asthma specialist.

Laboratory tests

The doctor may also perform additional tests to rule out other diseases or for more information about the causes of asthma in children. Such tests may include chest X-rays and sinus, complete blood count, sputum examination for the presence of eosinophils (white blood cells that are highly characteristic of asthma) and skin tests to measure the child's response to inhaled allergens common.

How serious is asthma in children?

How serious is asthma in children?

Asthma gravity is now categorized as:

•    mild intermittent
•    mild persistent
•    moderate persistent
•    severe persistent

Underestimation of disease severity poses the greatest threat. Asthma is the third leading cause of hospitalization in children under 15 years. It is especially serious in children, particularly those under five years, their airways are narrower than those of adults, causing reservation with less air exchange and they do not respond as well to bronchodilators (drugs that open the air passages in the lungs).

Sadly, hospitalization and fatality rates among children and young adults with asthma are on the rise, these figures almost doubled between 1980 and 1993. African American children are more than six times the mortality rate compared with the Anglo-Americans in the age groups of 4 and under and 15-24 years.

Other factors associated with increased risk of death from asthma include previous episodes of life-threatening asthma, lack of proper medical care and continuous and significant behavioral problems. Death in children by asthma attack is fortunately still quite rare. In the United States, about 6,000 asthma deaths, about 500 children die each year, the elderly account for 90% of these deaths. Unfortunately, a study in children found that almost 40% of children with asthmatic symptoms not know they had the disorder.

Long-term outlook

Although bronchial responsiveness improvement in many children when they reach adolescence, improvement is generally not complete and asthma may arise again and remain a problem throughout adulthood. In one study, 72% of men and 86% of women had asthmatic symptoms fifteen years after initial diagnosis. However, only 19% of them were still seeing a doctor and only 32% were taking any medication maintenance.

Almost half of children with allergic asthma have sinus abnormalities and are at risk of recurrent or chronic sinusitis. Children whose disease is severe enough to require steroids are less likely to resolve asthma than others. There is now some evidence that severe asthma can cause lasting damage and possibly permanent scarring, indicating that it is very important to introduce anti-inflammatory drugs as soon as possible.

What kind of children get asthma?

What kind of children get asthma?

Asthma affects about 5 million children under 18 years of age in the United States and has increased worldwide in recent decades. About half of all cases of asthma develop before the age of 10 years, and another third before the age of 40. Among younger children, asthma develops twice as frequently in boys than in girls, but after the age of 10 years, the number of men and women who get the disease is approximately equal. African American children have a higher risk than Caucasian children, but Hispanic children, particularly those living in poor urban neighborhoods, seem to face the highest risk of the three groups of the population.

In America alone, the risk in children increased by 72.3% between 1982 and 1994. Some European studies attribute this phenomenon to a true increase in cases of asthma but to other factors. A British study indicated that physicians in asthma clinics tend to over-diagnose the disease, and experts who analyzed 16 studies that reported a higher rate of asthma encotraron flaws in the interpretation. They believe that much of the increase is due to greater awareness by parents of the disease and differences in diagnostic criteria. However, another British study indicated that the disease may be under diagnosed in the study, one third of children reported symptoms of asthma had been diagnosed by doctors and were not receiving treatment.

However, other respiratory diseases, sinusitis and oíodo infections are clearly increasing, suggesting that factors airborne elements or environmental factors may be involved.

Theories explaining this remarkable ascent point to improved living conditions in industrialized countries. A recent study found that children in day care are at increased risk of wheezing and infections of the lower respiratory tract. Some studies indicate that the risk of asthma is higher in children under five years who present with wheezing, chest colds are frequently or have a chronic cough, although some experts believe that such infections may actually protect against asthma in the future.

In young children, the wheezing does not necessarily predict asthma. Other scientists believe that because children are now spending three hours or more time per day engaged in sedentary activities, including watching TV, playing video games or using a computer, are overexposed to indoor allergens and asthma contract .

About 75% to 80% of children with asthma have allergies. An Australian study reported that the prevalence of dust mites, an allergen identified, went along with the development of asthma in children between 1978 and 1991.

What are the symptoms of asthma in children?

What are the symptoms of asthma in children?

The main symptoms of asthma are coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath (dyspnea). In children with asthmatic symptoms, it is particularly important to first consider as a possible cause inhaled foreign objects such as peanuts, viral infections such as croup and bacterial infections, which may be accompanied by high fever and progress rapidly. Any child who has frequent coughing or respiratory infections should be examined to determine the presence of asthma.

Asthma is classified as mild as a child experiences one or two brief episodes weekly, in moderate asthma, episodes occur more than twice a week, and is marked by severe asthma continuous symptoms. Of great concern are studies that say that people, including children with life-threatening asthma, become desensitized to the symptoms and indicators may not recognize dangerous. Asthma is usually worse at night and attacks often occur between 2 and 4 ampor several reasons: chemical changes and body temperature and cause inflammation of the airways reducimiento; delayed allergic responses can occur due to exposure to allergens during the day, toward dawn, the effects of inhaled medications may disappear and trigger an attack.

At the beginning of an attack, the child typically feels constriction or braces in the chest that is often accompanied by a nonproductive cough, breathing audibly child may become rough. Anxiety and agitation are common. Wheezing when breathing is almost always present during an attack. Symptoms vary in severity from occasional mild episodes accompanied by breathlessness to daily wheezing that persists despite large doses of medication. Generally, the attack begins with wheezing and rapid breathing becomes more severe as, all breathing muscles become visibly active. Neck muscles can contract and the conversation can become difficult or impossible. Often, the end of an attack is marked by a cough that produces thick, stringy mucus.

Without effective treatment during an attack, exhaustion may contribute to worsening respiratory distress. When the chest struggle to bring enough air into the lungs, breathing often becomes flat. In a threatening situation, the skin color turns bluish skin around the ribs of the chest appears to be depressed and the patient begins to lose consciousness.

After an initial acute attack, inflammation persists for days to weeks. A major problem with asthma is that this second stage may not cause symptoms, however, must be treated because inflamción relapse generally causes renewed constriction of the airways and subsequent attacks.

Although wheezing is the hallmark of asthma, many other diseases can produce wheezing that mimics asthma. Half of all children and babies suffering from wheezing at some point, but few contract asthma. Most infants presenting with respiratory wheezing still have not normalized underdeveloped as they grow. They may also have mothers who smoke. Infants with asthma often have a family history of allergies and asthma. They may have a matraceador sound when they cough or breathing heavily, and may present with frequent respiratory illnesses.

What causes asthma?

The mechanisms that cause asthma are complex and vary among population groups and even between individuals. Genetic susceptibility, probably contains several genes, together with various environmental components are the main causes of asthma. Many people with asthma also have allergies and researchers are investigating the factors in allergic responses that can cause asthma in some people. Not all people with allergies have asthma, and not all cases of asthma may be explained by an allergic response. Some experts are looking for a connection between viral infections and the development of asthma in genetically susceptible people. Investigators are also detected in some patients with asthma, overproduction of an enzyme called highly potent endothelin, which is responsible for the reduction of blood vessels and airways hyperresponsiveness of airway mucus secretion and perhaps even can trigger inflammatory agents. In addition to respiratory problems, researchers are also finding that abnormalities in the tissue of the lung itself can contribute to asthma. Gastroesophageal reflux disease also contributes to some cases of asthma.

Allergic response

In people who have asthma caused by an allergic response, a series of events not yet fully implications, leading to inflammation and hyperreactivity in the airways. The factors in this orchestra inmunitrio system factors seem to be the white blood cells called-TH2, a subgroup called helper T cells. These cells overproduce interleukins (IL, by acronym in English), a subset of immune factors known as cytokine. Of particular interest are IL 9 and the IL 5. Interleukin 5, for example, seems to attract eosinophils are important for airway hyperreactivity. Interleukin-9 stimulates the release of antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE). During an allergic attack, these antibodies can bind to various cells in the immune system, including eosinophils, basophils and mast cells, which are generally concentrated in the lungs, skin and mucous membranes. Once IgE binds to mast cells, these cells are programmed to deliver various chemicals, particularly those known as leukotrienes, which cause inflammatory changes in the airways of the lungs, including the reduction of airway production mucus and stimulation of nerve endings in the lining of the airway.

Genetic Factors

Genetic factors play a role in the disease, about a third of all people with asthma share the problem with a close family member. A recent major study, researchers found that specific genetic regions increase the risk of asthma in different ethnic populations, such as African Americans, Hispanics and Caucasians. Interestingly, the genetic regions associated with allergies and hyper - widely factors associated with asthma - were not as significant as others.
Environmental factors that precipitate an asthma attack

Allergens and other common triggers

Allergens are most often the trigger of asthma in children. In a study of asthmatic children in the inner cities, about 37% were allergic to cockroaches, 25% of dust mites and 23% of cats. Cat allergies can trigger severe asthma in one study tripled the risk of hospitalization. In the same study, it was found that roach allergies doubled the risk; allergies to dust mites, found in house dust, and the dogs seemed to have no effect on hospitalization, although capable of triggering the attacks asthma. An asthma attack can also be caused by cold air, thunder storms, exercise, extreme emotions direct emotional and lung irritants such as pet dander, smoke snuff, pollen, molds and fungi.

Environmental Contaminants

Environmental pollution has been associated with the development of asthma. Specific pollutants projected for its role in triggering asthma include ozone, diesel fumes, sulfur dioxide produced by the paper industry and energy and nitrogen dioxide emitted from exhaust pipes and gas furnaces. Children seem to be particularly susceptible to soot and other small particles in the air.

Secondhand Smoke

Studies are finding that secondhand smoke in the home increases the risk of amsa in children. This risk extends even to the fetus of pregnant women who smoke.

Exercise

The running or extreme exercise can precipitate an attack by 80% of children with asthma. The exercise-induced asthma (EIA acronym) is different from ordinary allergic asthma, some people have only one type of asthma, some have both. EIA occurs most often during intense exercise in cold dry air.

Food Allergies

About 8% to 10% of children with asthma also have food allergies. Asthmatic children with food allergies also seem to have a high risk of potentially fatal reactions to such foods. In infants and young children, it seems that allergy to eggs is a major predictor of asthma. If young children show signs of, or are positive to examine food allergies, parents should use caution to prevent additional exposure to any common factor that triggers asthma.

Low birth weight

It seems that the people who started their lives with low birth weight are at risk of suffering from asthma, bronchitis and other lung disease throughout their lives. Experts suggest that the airways develop abnormally in malnourished fetuses.

Immunizations

One theory to explain the marked increase in childhood asthma, because the higher rate of childhood immunizations to certain infectious diseases, including measles and whooping cough. Without vaccination, In-law children contract these infections, immune system white blood cells called helper download T-1 (TH1, by acronym in English), cells that stimulate other immune factors that fight infection. At the same time, suppresses the fighter TH1 T cell infection by alternate called T-2 (TH2, by acronym), these white blood cells commonly trigger antibodies that attack the airborne allergens and cause the inflammatory response typical asthma. Experts postulate that in some children who are vaccinated against these diseases, TH2 cells remain active and stimulate asthma.

Medical disorders taxpayers

Much as 89% of patients with asthma also have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, for acronym), the cause of heartburn. GERD may trigger asthma in many cases through spillage of the acid in the resulting airway hyperreactive triggers a response. GERD may be suspected in patients who do not respond to treatments for asthma, whose asthma attacks are episodes of heartburn, or whose seizures are worse after eating or exercise. In such cases, treatment of heartburn can solve asthma [see Well-Connected Report # 85 Heartburn and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease]. Sinusitis and rhinitis (inflammation of the sinuses and nasal cavity) and polyps in the nose may contribute to the symptoms of asthma.

What is asthma in children?

What is asthma in children?

The word asthma originates from an ancient Greek word meaning panting. Essentially, asthma is an inability to breathe properly. When a person inhales, the air passes through the lungs via the airway progressively smaller bronchioles calls. The lungs contain bronquiosolos million, all lead to the alveoli - microscopic sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.

Asthma is a chronic condition in which these airways undergo changes when stimulated by allergens or other environmental triggers in patients causing coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath (dyspnea).

Asthma seems to have two main steps.

1.    First, the airways of people with asthma have an exaggerated or hyperreactive response to inhaled allergens or other irritants that cause them stirring. Smooth muscles in the airways constrict, reducing excessively. It should be noted that the airways in the lungs of everyone respond by narrowing when exposed to allergens or irritants, however, people without asthma can breathe deeply relaxing the airways and lungs releasing irritating. When asthmatics try to take those same deep breaths, the airways do not relax and the patients pant for breath. Smooth muscles in the airways of people with asthma may have a defect, perhaps the lack of a critical chemical that prevents the muscles to relax.

2.    This first stage is followed by a second inflammatory response in which the immune systems respond to allergens or other environmental triggers downloading factors WBCs and other immune factors to the airways, which cause airway swell, fill with fluid and produce a thick sticky mucus. This combination of events leads to coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, inability to breathe properly and a cough that produces phlegm. Pulmonary Inflammation appears to be present in all patients with asthma, even in mild cases, and plays a key role in all forms of the disease.

Tips for Asthma

All asthmatic patients know that exercise can lead to a crisis, however, physical activity is essential for healthy living and breathe better. Therefore it is important to exercise, but taking some precautions: taking medication (usually inhaled bronchodilators) before starting, make controlled heating and progressive, dose interval exercise, avoid maximal exercise intensity, and have always hand medication.

Via:aaaai.org

• Chest physical therapy: includes a series of exercises that help you breathe better and improve respiratory mechanics. They are very useful in crises or exacerbations.

• Periodic reviews: Patients with asthma should attend periodically to the respiratory ward, where they performed spirometry to see the evolution of the disease and response to treatment.

Medication is essential to take the medication every day (usually inhaled), although the patient is well. Thus, inflammation is controlled, thereby preventing the occurrence of relapses.

Warning Signs

There are some warning signs that these patients should be aware and appear in crises or exacerbations.

1.      Shortness of breath when sitting or walking slowly
2.      Difficulty speaking
3.      Fatigue that is not relieved despite repeatedly use the inhaler
4.      Onset of symptoms at night often
5.      Bluish lips and fingertips

In these cases you have to go to the ER for a correct assessment by the physician and to receive appropriate treatment. You may need admission to the hospital in serious situations

Related Post to Asthma:

• eMedicine Health: Asthma in Pregnancy - Consumer health resource center providing information catered to pregnant asthmatics.
• eMedicine Health: Asthma in School Children - Consumer health resource center providing general asthma information. Includes an education slideshow for asthmatic children.
• eMedicine: Asthma - Article covering clinical information, diagnosis, and treatment. Includes prescribing information.

Treatment of asthma

Treatment of asthma 

Via: www.fitango.com

Asthma has two possible treatments: prevention to prevent its occurrence, and control of symptoms when prevention fails and it is inevitable that a crisis is more or less intense.
 
 
Treatments of asthma: Non-pharmacological measures

The goal of these treatments is to avoid as far as possible, the causes or cause the disease.

Pollens: windy days, dry and sunny, which is when there is a higher concentration of pollen, it is better not to go out unless absolutely necessary, and if staying outdoors as soon as possible, avoid going out into the field and do outdoor exercise, traveling with the car windows closed and use the pollen filter air conditioning, wear sunglasses with side shields to prevent contact with eyes pollen, and ventilating the house for 15 minutes in the morning, for the rest of the day remain closed.

Dust mites: reduce, wherever possible, the humidity, avoid carpets, rugs, curtains, upholstery and decorative excess, as all these elements accumulate dust, choose furniture that is easily cleaned with a cloth damp wash bedding at least twice a week, using controlled vacuum cleaning the filters, and use mite covers for mattress and pillow.

Fungi: no wetlands stroll in autumn and winter after leaf fall, regularly ventilate the rooms dark and damp in the house, remove any water stains on the walls, ceilings and windows and use anti-rust paints, avoid excess plants inside the home and not visit barns, cellars, basements, or similar places where these organisms can thrive.

Animals: remove the animal from the shelter and then perform a thorough cleaning. If this is not possible, prevent the animal into the bedroom, and wash it once a week. There are also products that diminish the "allergic load" improving symptoms.


Drugs: about 10% of people with asthma have intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and its derivatives, so you should avoid uptake. 

Medical treatment of asthma

The two major groups of medications for asthma are anti-inflammatories and bronchodilators.

Anti-inflammatory medications: are the most commonly used corticosteroids (beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone), decrease inflammation of the bronchi. There formulations by inhalation or orally or intravenously in case of severe exacerbations. Other anti-inflammatory drugs are the chromones, used inhalants (cromolyn and nedocromil sodium) and leukotrienes, which are taken in pill form (montelukast and zafirlukast).

Bronchodilators: are used beta 2 agonists (salbutamol, terbutaline, salmeterol and formoterol), anticholinergics (ipratropium bromide) and methylxanthines, and their function is to increase the diameter of the bronchus. Inhaled are administered (by spray) as well as many drug reaches the lungs, with fewer side effects to the organism. There are several types: pressurized cartridge, spacer or dry powder.

Immunotherapy: used only in patients sensitive to an allergen, which was not achieved an adequate response of asthma, despite following drug treatment and enforce appropriate avoidance measures. It is administered in the hospital by specialized personnel.

Antihistamines:do not control asthma but are useful to reduce allergy symptoms such as itchy nose, sneezing, red eyes ...

Diagnosis of asthma

For a diagnosis is necessary:

Clinical History

Diagnosis of asthma: Asthma is a disease with a variable evolution, sandwiching other asymptomatic periods of worsening symptoms intensity. It is very characteristic and persistent dry cough, which usually appears at night, the feeling of tightness in the chest that impairs breathing, shortness of breath when exercising, or wheezing during a common cold. Also, you need to ask about the family history of asthma or allergy, exposure to toxic substances in the work environment, or the known history of previous allergies.

Via: asthma.ca - asthma symptoms

Chest X-ray

To evaluate the presence of complications and rule out other diseases with similar symptoms, such as respiratory infections, foreign body aspiration, or malformations of the bronchi.











Pulmonary function tests or spirometry

It is a crucial test for the diagnosis and monitoring of asthma, and measures the amount and speed of air outlet during expiration (when the bronchi are obstructed the air takes longer to leave). The parameter used is the amount of air expelled in the first second (PEF or FEV1), and determines the degree of airway obstruction. Normal value was considered as 100%. The test is complete by administering a drug that increases airway caliber (bronchodilator) and then repeating the test (in this way shows that the obstruction is reversible, since in asthmatics spirometry results improve after medication).

If the diagnosis is not clear you can make a bronchial provocation test, a controlled inhaling a substance (usually methacholine or histamine) that decreases the caliber of the bronchi, and then repeating the test.

Monitoring at home

It uses a device similar to a portable spirometer, simple management, and peak expiratory flow measured or FEM (amount of air expelled during expiration). Housing consists of a board with a spring that moves to pass the air leaving a mark. Serves to detect a deterioration at an early stage, measuring the response to a treatment, or identify substances that trigger symptoms.

Prick Tests in the Diagnosis

It is used for the diagnosis of allergic diseases. Is performed by injecting into the anterior forearm small quantities of substances called allergens, and then measuring that produce skin reaction (usually in the form of redness or wheal)

Symptoms of asthma

Via: topnews.in

Symptoms of asthma

Asthma symptoms vary from person to person, both in kind and in its severity and frequency of occurrence. Patients usually present with asymptomatic periods, followed by others in which the symptoms are intensified, and whose intensity can be very serious.




The most common symptoms are:

• Coughing:  is generally irritating, with little mucus, and sometimes quite dry. Usually occurs in the form of coughing, especially at night and with exertion. 

• Shortness of breath or dyspnea: usually during exercise. In severe exacerbations may appear to speak, or even at rest.

• Wheezing: wheezing you hear with a stethoscope to examine the patient, and are produced by the passage of air through the airways narrower.

It can also cause tightness in the chest, which costs expel thick mucus and nasal symptoms such as itching, sneezing, stuffy ...

Types of Asthma

 Types of asthma - [what-is-asthma-for-kids]

There are several classifications of the types of asthma.

Types of asthma based on the triggers:

Via: nature.com

+ Allergic asthma: appears in relation to exposure to allergic substance or inhalant allergens like pollen from plants, dust mites, or animal hair such as dogs and cats. There are often family or personal history of allergy.

+ Seasonal Asthma: its appearance is related to the pollen of plants; worse in spring or late summer.

+ Nonallergic asthma: crises are triggered by irritants (such as snuff smoke, wood smoke, deodorant, paint, cleaning products, perfumes, environmental pollution ... etc..), Respiratory infections (flu, sinusitis ...), air cold, sudden temperature changes, or gastroesophageal reflux.

+ Occupational asthma: crises are triggered by exposure to chemicals in the workplace, such as wood dust, metals, organic compounds, plastic resins ... etc..

+ Exercise-induced Asthma: triggered by exercise or physical activity. Symptoms occur while the patient takes exercise, or shortly after the end of exercise.

+ Nocturnal asthma: can occur in patients with any type of asthma. Symptoms worsen at midnight, especially at dawn.

Asthma types depending on the level of control

+ Asthma control: no daily or nocturnal symptoms, no need for rescue medication. Exacerbations are rare.

+Partially controlled asthma: daytime symptoms two or more times a week, with any symptoms at night. It is necessary to use rescue medication more than twice a week, and are more frequent exacerbations (one or more per year).

+ Uncontrolled Asthma: with three or more characteristics of partly controlled asthma, exacerbations are weekly.

Asthma rates depending on the severity and frequency

Depending on the degree of airway obstruction (measured by spirometry), and the severity and frequency of presenting symptoms, is classified into the following types of asthma.

+ Persistent asthma: symptoms occur throughout the year, and intermittent asthma if only occur at certain times.

+ Intermittent Asthma: Symptoms appear two or fewer times per week and nighttime symptoms appear two or fewer times a month. Asthma attacks or exacerbations are usually brief, and from one crisis to the next, the patient remains asymptomatic. In tests of lung function, PEF and / or FEV1 is greater than 80% (normal is considered 100%), and the variability is less than 20% (the values ​​of pulmonary function tests or spirometry not change after administer medication to dilate the bronchi or bronchodilators).

+ Mild persistent asthma: symptoms occur more than twice a week, but not daily, and nighttime symptoms occur more than twice a month but not every week. In pulmonary function tests, FEV1 is greater than 80%, and the variability is between 20 and 30%.

+ Moderate persistent asthma: symptoms appear every day, affecting normal activity and sleep. Nighttime symptoms appear every week at least one night. FEV1 is between 60 and 80%, and the variability is greater than 30%.

+ Chronic Asthma: the symptoms are continuous. Crises or exacerbations are frequent and severe. Nighttime symptoms are almost daily. FEV1 is less than 60%, and greater than 30% variability (spirometry values ​​greatly improved after administration of bronchodilator medication).

Causes of Asthma - Asthma Triggers

Causes of Asthma

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes, which causes clogging and these are very sensitive to a large number of environmental stimuli. Bronchial inflammation causes increased mucus production, which will be more viscous, so it is ejected with difficulty.

Via: umm.edu - Asthma Triggers

The increased sensitivity of bronchial hyperreactivity and called bronchi causes close to certain stimuli such as exercise, cold air, viral infections, snuff smoke, the smell of paint, etc..

When talking about causes of asthma is necessary to distinguish between the causes of asthma themselves or etiological factors, and triggers that cause disease if not, can trigger an attack in someone who previously suffered from asthma.





Etiological Factors

•      Genetic component: many patients have family members with asthma.
•      Exposure to inhalant allergens: are substances that can cause allergies, in particular respiratory symptoms. The most important are: dust mites, pollen from plants (grass, Parietaria, olive, banana ...), pets (hair and skin flakes as the dog, cat or hamster), microscopic fungi (domestic or not, grow damp areas), environmental and labor (snuff, powdered wood, metal ...).

Asthma Triggers

The most important are those related to climate (cold, wet, snow ...), intense physical exercise, polluted environments, especially snuff smoke, respiratory infections, and certain drugs such as aspirin and derivatives.

What is asthma?

The cold, exercise, or certain allergens can cause shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness characteristics of this chronic disease that affects over 300 million people worldwide.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease, characterized by increased airway reactivity smaller gauge called bronchi. This means that to different stimuli such as cold, exercise, or certain allergy-producing substances, bronchial tubes become inflamed and decrease its diameter reversibly closing. This is the main difference between asthma and chronic bronchitis, in which diminish bronchial gauge irreversibly. Asthma is a very common disease in children.

Via: Asthma.co.uk - What is Asthma

Its most common symptoms are shortness of breath or dyspnea, coughing, tightness in the chest and "self-listening" of wheezing called wheezing.


When symptoms occur worsen an asthma attack, which can last several days depending on the severity of the disease. Between exacerbations or crises there is often asymptomatic periods in which patients are well or with mild symptoms.

Who is affected by asthma

It is estimated that asthma affects about 5% of the world's population, some 300 million people. In the case of children is even more common, with a prevalence greater than 10%.

Although it can occur at any age, it most often begins in childhood stage that is usually related to an allergic component. Other factors that influence the development of childhood asthma include history of asthma and parental smoking, especially in the mother.

In adults it is more frequently associated with sinusitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the cavities in the bones around the nose called sinuses), nasal polyps, and sensitivity to anti-inflammatory aspirin or aspirin-related. It is also common connection with certain occupational exposures (in the workplace) as wood dust, plastic resins or organic dusts.