Your Health  -   A to Z of Common Medical Conditions

Asthma

Description -  Asthma is a condition in which a narrowing of the bronchial tubes causes wheezing, coughing and difficulty in breathing, particularly on exhalation. This narrowing is not constant though the illness may vary considerably, in severity, from one person to another. Some might have the occasional mild wheeze; others may be in severe distress and in real danger. An asthma attack can come on very quickly. Approximately 10% of children are thought to suffer from asthma at some time. Some children with asthma also suffer from the skin complaint, eczema (see Eczema/Dermatitis) and many also have hay fever (see Hay Fever) Allergies, infection, inappropriate exercise (e.g. Scuba diving), stress, pollution, can make asthma worse. Although wheezing is the most common symptom of asthma sometimes there is no wheezing but only a dry, irritating, non-productive cough, particularly at nights.

Management - All patients with suspected asthma should seek medical advice. Such advice will include mention of those factors which may make the asthma worse (see above). Smoking should not be allowed. Doctors usually treat asthma with inhaled medications and in most cases where inadequate relief is obtained the cause is usually found to be poor inhalation technique or the use of an inappropriate inhalation device. In severe attacks short courses of high-dosage steroids, by mouth, can provide considerable relief and may be life saving.

 
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