Asthma as a Manageable Condition - Research Paper Example

Biology Research Paper 26 November Asthma Asthma is a long term lung ailment that inflames and constricts the airways. Asthma results into recurrent periods of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. The coughing frequently occurs during the night or real early in the morning. In addition, most asthma patients usually complain that the chest feels tight during asthmatic attacks (flare-ups or exacerbations). Asthma attacks may occur infrequently like once or even fewer times a month, or as frequent as a number of times a day (Murphy 5). An individual finds it extremely strenuous to take air in and out of the lungs during an asthma attack. This is because the inner layer of the tubes conveying air between the throat and lungs become swollen to some extent closing the airway (5). There is also increased secretion of mucus, which further serves to narrow the airway. The inflamed airway is sensitive to a number of substances, which causes asthmatic patients to be extremely allergic to various substances. The precise cause of asthma is unknown; however, researchers believe that there is an interaction of some genetic and environmental factors, which bring about asthma. This usually happens during the early stages of development. Statistics show that about 23 million Americans have asthma, 7 million of them being under the age of eighteen years (Murphy 7). The genetic and environmental factors that cause asthma include atopy, childhood respiratory infections, contact with airborne allergens, having asthmatic parents, and contact with some viral illnesses during infancy or early childhood as the immune system is developing (What Is Asthma? - NHLBI, NIH). Atopy is the hereditary propensity of developing asthma. The Hygiene Hypothesis tries to explain the causes of asthma by suggesting that reduced exposure to various childhood ailments due to the highly hygienic Western lifestyle affects children’s immune systems, making them more prone to atopy and asthma. There is no known cure for asthma and the ailment can erupt at any time despite the patient feeling fine. It is, therefore, imperative to treat symptoms as soon as one notices them to prevent the progression of a mild attack into a strong attack. Consequently, one needs to know asthma symptoms to recognize them. The most common signs of asthma are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness (What Is Asthma? - NHLBI, NIH). However, possessing these signs does not always mean that a person has asthma. Hence, a person displaying these symptoms needs to see a doctor for proper diagnosis using the lung function test and a physical examination. Many things set off or aggravate asthma conditions including allergens derived from dust, mold, pollen, animal fur, and cockroaches. Cigarette smoke, dust, and sprays also contain irritants that can spark asthma attacks. Viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, for example, colds, some medications (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nonselective beta-blockers), and sulfites present in foodstuffs and beverages also trigger asthma attacks (What Is Asthma? - NHLBI, NIH). Vigorous physical activity such as exercises may also worsen the symptoms of asthma. Other health conditions e.g. “a runny nose, sinus infections, reflux disease, psychological stress, and sleep apnea” make the management of asthma more challenging and ought to be treated, as well (What Is Asthma? - NHLBI, NIH). The identification of asthma relies on medical and family histories, test results, and a physical examination. The establishment of medical and family histories involves determining the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms. It is also imperative to determine the exact periods of the attacks, for example, certain times of the day or seasons of the year. Physical examination involves the doctor looking out for asthma signs such as “wheezing, a runny nose, swollen nasal passages and allergic skin conditions such as eczema” (What Is Asthma? - NHLBI, NIH). The surest way of diagnosing asthma entails carrying out the lung function test called a spirometry. Spirometry quantifies the amount of air inhaled and exhaled and the speed at which the air moves out of the lungs. The doctor usually diagnoses asthma in patients whose results are lower than usual and improve with medication. Confirmatory diagnosis requires the use of other tests. Such tests include bronchoprovocation, a test that establishes the sensitivity of a patient’s airways. An electrocardiogram (chest x-ray) aids in ruling out the presence of foreign objects or other diseases as the causes of asthma symptoms. The key objective in asthma treatment is to control the disease since it has no known cure. Effective control of asthma averts chronic and bothersome signs such as coughing and shortness of breath, which prevent serious asthma attacks that can lead to hospitalization. Well controlled asthma minimizes an individual’s reliance on quick-relief medicines such as inhaled short-acting beta-2-agonists, which quickly act to relax muscles around airways during an attack (What Is Asthma? - NHLBI, NIH). A patient with well-controlled asthma can lead a normal, productive life and maintain exceptional lung function. Taking an active position to control asthma entails the prompt treatment of other ailments interfering with management of asthma. It is also crucial to keep away from activities and substance that prompt asthma. However, contrary to common belief, physical exercise should not be avoided. A recent study by Mancuso et al. reveals that physical activity plays a significant role in maintaining good health of asthma patients (1). Two types of medications treat asthma. These are the quick relief medicines and the long-term control medication. Long-term control medications lessen inflammation of the airway and thwart asthma warning signs, most of which are inhaled corticosteroids. Their advantage from other types of corticosteroids is that they do not cause addiction if used for prolonged periods, unlike the illegal anabolic steroids. Quick-relief (or “rescue” medicine), on the other hand, only alleviate asthma symptoms that may flare up. The initial medication given to an individual depends on the relentlessness of the asthma. Patients ought to follow their doctor’s instructions when taking these medications to ensure their efficacy. Overall, asthma is a manageable condition, and if properly managed affected people can still lead normal, healthy lives. Works Cited Mancuso, C. A., Choi, T. N., Westermann, H. Wenderoth S., Wells, M. T. & Charlson, M. E. “Improvement in Asthma Quality of Life in Patients Enrolled in a Prospective Study to Increase Lifestyle Physical Activity.” Journal of Asthma. 2012. Early Online (2012): 1–5. Informa Healthcare. Web. 26 November 2012. Murphy, W. Asthma. Minneapolis, MN: Twenty-First Century Books, 2011. Print. What Is Asthma? - NHLBI, NIH. N.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2012 . Read More