ASTHMA

ASTHMA!
Causes:
The exact causes of asthma are unknown but researchers believe a certain combination of factors such as:
* An inherited tendency to develop allergies, called atopy
* Parents who have asthma
* Certain respiratory infections during childhood
* Contact with some airborne allergens or exposure to some viral infections in early childhood while the immune system is still developing
* The "hygiene hypothesis." society’s stress on hygiene and sanitation has changed our living conditions and an overall decline in infections in early childhood. Young children no longer experience the same types of environmental exposures and infections as children did in the past. This affects the way that the immune systems in today's young children develop during very early childhood, and it may increase their risk for asthma. This is especially true for children who have close family members with this condition.

Most common asthma symptoms:
* Coughing. Coughing from asthma is often worse at night or early in the morning, making it hard to sleep.
* Wheezing. Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound that occurs when breathing
* Chest tightness. This may feel like something is squeezing or sitting on one's chest.
* Shortness of breath. Some people who have asthma say they can't catch their breath or they feel out of breath.
The types of asthma symptoms, how often they occur, and how severe they are may vary over time.

Symptoms usually occur when certain triggers are present such as:
* Allergens found in dust, animal fur, cockroaches, mold, and pollens from trees, grasses, and flowers
* Irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemicals or dust in the workplace, compounds in home décor products, and sprays (such as hairspray)
* Certain medicines such as aspirin anti-inflammatory drugs
* Sulfites in foods and drinks
* Viral upper respiratory infections such as colds
* Exercise (physical activity)

Asthma is a long-term disease that can't be cured. The goal of asthma treatment is to control the disease. To keep asthma under control:
* avoiding things that will worsen asthma
*Taking medicines prescribed by a doctor
*Inhaled corticosteroids- for long-term control of asthma. They relieve airway inflammation and swelling

Good asthma control will help:
* Prevent chronic and troublesome symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath
* Reduce need of quick-relief medicines
* Help maintain good lung function
* Help maintain normal activity levels and sleep through the night
* Prevent asthma attacks that could result in going to the emergency room

Interesting Facts:
-Asthma is the most common chronic illness of children and adolescents
-The three states with the highest number of people with asthma are California, New York, and Texas.

HELPFUL SITES:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma
http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/asthma-triggers