ASTHMA

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways which affects approximately 17 million Americans. People with asthma have very sensitive airways which react to a variety of external factors or "triggers." In the presence of these "triggers," the airways tighten, inflame and/or fill with mucus and symptoms occur. Asthma is a chronic but treatable condition. If not treated, however, it can progress and cause permanent lung damage. Every year some 500,000 Americans are hospitalized with asthma, and 5000 die yearly from the disease.

Common Asthma Symptoms:

Symptoms vary from person to person, and a person may experience different symptoms at different times. Symptoms may be mild or severe, intermittent or constant. Some people only have symptoms when they exercise. This condition is referred to as "exercise-induced asthma." Others only have symptoms at times when their seasonal allergies (hay fever) are active.

Signs of Worsening Asthma:

As asthma progresses it becomes more difficult to perform daily activities and harder to sleep. If left untreated, these symptoms may progress to an asthma attack.

Asthma Attacks
An acute episode of asthma symptoms is called an "asthma attack." Mild attacks are more common and the symptoms usually remit within a few hours. Severe attacks last longer and may require emergency treatment or hospitalization.

Mechanism of attacks:

Additional symptoms of an asthma attack:

Early warning signs:

These signs may not be severe enough to interrupt your daily activities but by recognizing and treating them, you can stop an attack or prevent it from getting worse.

Common asthma triggers:

Treatment:

Without effective treatment, asthma tends to get worse. Over-the-counter remedies are not effective in preventing episodes of asthma, and some have potentially dangerous side-effects. The best way to control asthma is with asthma medications.

Treatment Goals:

For further information about asthma and its treatment contact the Student Health Center at 784-6598 or your health care provider. If you think you are having an asthma attack, seek medical care immediately.

Additional information sources:

American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (AAAAI)
611 East Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(404) 272-6071 or 1-800- 822-2762

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
NIAID Office of Communications and Public Liaison
Building 31, Room 7A-50
31 Center Drive MSC 2520
Bethesda, MD 20892-2520

Back | Print This Page | Home