ASTHMA

CHRISTOPHER RUBIO

UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX

According to Webmd.com “Asthma makes breathing difficult for more than 34 million Americans.” Asthma is a non-curable Repertory disorder in which the passage way that air flowing in and out of the lungs narrows, this causes wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. This narrowing of the wind pipe is a temporary problem is reversible. In some severe cases of asthma death may be a result. Asthma is simply an inflammation of the airway. Other terms associated with asthma are Bronchial asthma and Cardiac asthma. Cardiac asthma develops when there is a buildup of fluid in the. Of the 34 million American who suffer from asthma five million of these cases are in children under age 18. NHS.UK Says that it’s a possibility “If you are diagnosed with asthma as a child, the symptoms may disappear during your teenage years.” Asthma claims 5,500 deaths each year in the United States alone. It can occur in both male in female and has no specific age that it targets. Asthma also has not specific age group, ethnicity, or social level that it targets. However asthma is known to be more common in Poor neighborhoods with cold climate. From 1982 to 1994 asthma increased about 60 percent affecting more children than adults. Even the deaths related to asthma increased about 50 % from 1979-1992. There are some scientists who believe that this increase is due increase second hand smoking exposure, polluted intercity, and housing developed with poor ventilation. For the human body to function properly it requires oxygen. Oxygen comes through the lungs where in the lungs it is exchanged into the blood stream to keep the body alive. When you take a break of air, the air travels through the larynx to trachea, where the trachea is divides into two branches called the right and left bronchus. These are directly connecting the lungs. Once passed down the bronchus air enters the lungs where it passes through small clusters of air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli are surrounded by blood vessels, here this gas exchanges happens. The oxygen is diffused in to the walls of the alveoli and then into the blood capillaries the carbon dioxide diffuses though the capillaries walls and into the alveoli. If something in the human body prevents the oxygen from reach the alveoli the body’s cell does not receive enough oxygenated blood. Carbon dioxide starts to build up. When the bronchi and bronchioles become irritated or inflamed an asthma attack occurs. The inflammation ultimately reduces the space that the air has to travel though to reach the lungs. Typically patient who is suffering from asthma will start to fill Chest pressure and begin developing dry cough. As the “attack” Start to worsen an increase in pith starts to develop along with difficulty breathing and wheezing. Stringy mucus also develops. Once the inflammation of the airway sets in it starts to prevent oxygen flow two the alveoli, typically the body will start burning oxygen at a higher rate. The body’s demand for oxygen will increase. The frequency of the asthma attack will vary depending on the person. Some have the attacks monthly while others daily. Common causes of inflammation of the airway are irritant such as cigarette smoke, pet hair or any other foreign body that comes in contact with the airway walls. When the body’s immune system senses an irritant as a harmful prospect it sends cell to the site of irritation. The cells release histamine which causes swelling and redness in order to protect itself. These histamines are the same thing that also causes bronchi spasms which is when muscles in the airway wall contract at a rapid rate causing the airway to become even narrower. Asthma attacks can be caused by various environmental and physiological stimuli. One of the most common causes of the asthma attack are small lightweight particles that are transported though the air and inhaled in the airway system and eventually end up in the lungs. Upon entering the airway system they cause inflammatory response in the airway walls which results in a asthma attack. Most people who suffer from environmental related asthma the trigger are allergens which are natural substances like pollen and animal fecal material left in the dust. For people who do not have allergies the most common irritant is a chemical irritant. These chemical irritant can be from Chemical such as cosmetics, household cleaners or even perfume. However, not all asthma attacks are triggered by environmental some is triggered by a physiological disease or things such as the common cold. There are also things such as certain food, medication, and even beer that can trigger asthma attacks. People who experience incense crying, shouting or even rapid inhalation of oxygen can cause the airway to narrow which in turn cause an asthma attack. There is been some research that says there the genetics of a person may pay a factor in developing asthma. People whit a family history or asthma may be more prone to asthma than others. This does not mean however that you have to have asthma in your family to have asthma yourself. Anyone can have asthma, child, infant, adult, black, Hispanic, white, poor, or rich. The key to asthma attach is the prevention and long term control. Typically a person learns to recognize triggers and take preventative measures to avoid an asthma attack. Mayo-clinic.com suggests “tracking your breathing to make sure your daily asthma medications are keeping symptoms under control.” Medication is chosen by a person age, symptoms and asthma triggers. There are a Varity of different treatment options available for long term Medication thy use things such as Inhaled corticosteroid, or LABA’s long acting beta agonist. They may also administer Quick relief medication such as Atrovent or Oral Corticosteroid. People who suffer from Allergy induced asthma may be given Immunotherapy or allergy shot, Amilzumab. These type of medication are treatment for allergy medication and me relief the symptoms and trigger of asthma. No matter where you come from what neighborhood you grew up in or how old you are you have a possibility of having asthma. When someone has asthma their airway is narrowed by welling, their body produces extra mucus and their breathing become difficult. Common sign of asthma are shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. Asthma attacks hay happen on a daily basis or may be a monthly occurrence. Although asthma is not a curable disease it symptoms may be control with the right medications. Anyone with asthma should take the right steps to get to a doctor so they can start to control their asthma attacks. This will lead to a healthier life for them and allow them to do things they previously couldn’t.

References
Kelin, R. (2010). COPD & Asthma. ANANDASEVA.ORG . 19 March 2012, http://www.anandaseva.org/yoga/files/Renee%20Klein%20Research%20Paper%20COPD%20-%20Asthma1.pdf
Unknown. (n.d.). Asthma. NHS.uk. 16 March 2012. From http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Unknown. (n.d). Asthma Health Center. Webmd.com . 16 March 2012. From http://www.webmd.com/asthma/default.htm
Various. (n.d). Evidence-based guidance on managthing asthma and linked chronic respiratory conditions. Nationalasthma.org 16 March 2012. Retrieved from http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/health-professionals/information-papers