Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects many West Virginians. It is estimated that 8.5% of West Virginians had asthma in 2006. This equals approximately 123,000 adults and 31,000 children.
The disease is characterized by recurrent respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, coughing, and variable airflow obstruction that is reversible spontaneously or with treatment. Symptoms may occur or worsen at night.
Symptoms may also occur or become worse during exercise or exposure to animals with fur or feathers, household dust mites, mold, smoke, pollen, changes in weather, airborne chemicals, and dusts. Viral infections, strong emotions, and menses can also trigger symptoms.
Asthma sufferers sometimes experience episodic exacerbations (attacks). During an episode, it's difficult to breath; the airways in the lungs narrow and get blocked with mucus, limiting the lungs to insufficient amounts of air. During an asthma attack, symptoms can range from intermittent and manageable to severe and life-threatening.
What Causes Asthma
It is unknown what causes asthma, but both environmental and genetic factors seem to play a roll in the development of the disease. According to research, asthma is more prevalent in industrialized countries than in underdeveloped ones, which causes some people to theorize that asthma is caused by industrial pollutants.
The majority of children diagnosed with asthma (between 50% and 90%), develop symptoms before the age of 5.
The following factors appear to be associated with the onset of asthma symptoms in children:
- Smaller airways at birth and in early life
- Exposure to tobacco smoke
- Male sex
- Low birth weight
- A parent, especially the mother, with allergies or asthma
- Other family members with asthma and allergy
- Viral respiratory infections
Asthma may appear to develop at any age. When asthma symptoms appear in adulthood, it may be a recurrence of unrecognized childhood asthma or a recurrence of asthma that had gone into remission during the early adolescent years.
Asthma in patients over the age of twenty appears to be more common and more severe in women. With adult onset of asthma, work-related factors appear to be responsible in approximately 15% of reported cases.
Some cases of work-related asthma may occur because of a single, high-dose exposure to ammonia, chlorine gas, or hydrochloric acid. Work-related or aggravated asthma can also result from long term continuous exposure to some chemicals.
The onset of asthma can also be linked to obesity in both children and adults. Weight loss in obese patients with asthma has been shown to improve symptoms, lung function, morbidity, and their general health status.
Asthma symptoms, frequency, and severity are generally worse in adults aged 65 years and older, with an increase in medication requirements, hospitalizations, and mortality rates.
Presently, there is no cure for asthma. Effective management of the disease will help sufferers lead a more normal lifestyle. Having a written asthma action plan is essential to managing asthma symptoms. Talk to your doctor about developing an asthma action plan that is right for you.
Asthma and Allergy Connection
Between 70% and 90% of children with asthma have positive allergy skin tests. The majority of children with asthma have positive skin test reactions to inhaled allergens such as house-dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, and pollen. Exposures to these allergens cause increased airway irritability and asthma symptoms. Food allergens, however, do not usually trigger asthma symptoms, unless it is part of a generalized anaphylactic reaction.
Managing Asthma
Every asthma sufferer should have a written Asthma Action Plan, especially those with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma or who have a history of severe exacerbations. A written action plan is essential for managing and gauging asthma symptoms. Talk to your doctor about developing an action plan specifically for you. Also talk to you doctor about the use of inhaled corticosteroids. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends inhaled corticosteroids as the first line of defense for controlling asthma symptoms.
Have your doctor show you how recognize early signs and symptoms of an episode and how to adjust your medication accordingly.
Your doctor can also show you how to use a peak flow meter to determine your best expiratory flow (the amount of air you can blow out of your lungs) while your asthma is under control. This will give you a basis to assess the severity of an exacerbation - by testing your expiratory flow during an attack and again to test your response to treatment.
See your doctor if you have a severe exacerbation, if treatment doesn't give rapid and sustained improvement, or if symptoms become worse or more frequent.
Asthma sufferers should have the medications and equipment, recommended by their physician, readily available in the event of an exacerbation.
By actively assessing and participating in the management of your asthma, the disease is less likely to negatively affect your lifestyle.
Keep the following key points in mind for managing your asthma symptoms:
- When you have asthma, it is important to take your medicine daily.
- If you need to use your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, your current treatment plan is not effectively managing your asthma. Consult your doctor right away.
- Identify and avoid your asthma triggers.
- Talk to your family, friends, coworkers, colleagues and teachers about how to help you during an asthma attack.
Develop an asthma action plan, with your doctor, and carry it with you for when you experience an attack.
Asthma Action Plan (PDF)