Asthma is a common condition that interferes with your breathing by preventing air from flowing freely into your lungs. It is a chronic or long-term disease in which the air passages or bronchial tubes in the lungs become inflamed or swollen.

When you breathe, air passes through your throat and trachea (windpipe) and goes into the lungs. Your lungs are made up of tubes called bronchial tubes that branch out like a tree. Bands of muscle cover these bronchial tubes. The lining of the bronchial tubes produces a sticky substance called mucus that helps your lungs get rid of particles that you breathe in. At the end of each tube there are tiny sacs that exchange air called alveoli.

When you have asthma, your airways are red, swollen, and easily irritated (see pictures below). This irritation or inflammation gets worse in reaction to things called “triggers” such as colds, allergies, cigarette smoke, and changes in the weather. Triggers irritate your lungs even more, causing your symptoms to get worse. During an asthma episode, or flare-up, the airways or bronchial tubes can become sensitive and overreact, causing several things to happen:

1. The muscles around your airways tighten and block airflow.
2. The airway walls swell, causing the airway to narrow.
3. Your airways produce extra mucus, causing even more narrowing.

Symptoms

Asthma symptoms often seem like other respiratory problems, but since asthma is a chronic disease, your symptoms may keep coming back. Common symptoms include:

• Coughing, especially worse at night and in the early morning
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath

Tell your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms. They may be a sign of a condition other than asthma. Discuss any concerns about your asthma or your health with your clinician.

Triggers

Just being around certain things can trigger an asthma flare-up. Ask your health care provider how you can protect yourself from asthma triggers and try to be aware of them at all times. Triggers may include any of the following.

• Animals
• Mold
• Perfume
• Smog
• Weather
• Cold/Flu
• Pollen
• House dust
• Cleaners
• Cigarette smoke
• Emotions
• Medications

Medications

Controllers reduce the irritation or inflammation and swelling of air passages, which are part of asthma. Controllers should be taken daily. When taken as prescribed, they can reduce the risk of an asthma attack. It may take up to 2 weeks for maximum benefit. (Accolate, Advair, Aerobid, Atrovent, Azmacort, Beclovent, Flovent, Intal, Pulmicort, Serevent, Singulair, Tilade, Vanceril, theophyllines)

Relievers relax muscles around the air passages, which tighten during an asthma attack and make breathing difficult. Relievers are short acting and are taken to reverse symptoms when they start. Side effects may include nervousness, tremors, headache or palpitations. (albuterol, Maxair, Proventil, Ventolin)

Self Care & Prevention

• Develop an action plan and follow it. Your clinician will help you create a personal plan for monitoring your medications and managing acute attacks.
• Identify the things that trigger your symptoms. This can be one of the most important ways to take control of your life.
• Monitor your breathing regularly. Lung function often decreases before you experience symptoms, so your peak flow meter can help you catch attacks early.
• Exercise regularly. Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs so that they don’t have to work so hard. It also can help you lose weight and reduce the risk of other chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
• Use an air conditioner. This helps reduce your exposure to airborne pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. Air conditioning also lowers indoor humidity and can reduce your exposure to dust mites.
• Keep your living spaces clean and tidy. Bedrooms especially should be cleaned regularly to minimize dust that may aggravate nighttime symptoms. Wash sheets, pillowcases and mattress pads weekly in hot water. Use synthetic pillows and replace them every 2 to 3 years.
• Keep indoor air clean. Have your air conditioner and furnace checked once a year and remember to change their filters. If you use a humidifier, change the water daily.
• Reduce pet dander. If you’re allergic to dander, avoid pets with fur or feathers. Having pets regularly bathed or groomed also may reduce the amount of dander in your surroundings.
• Treat attacks early. If you act, you’re less likely to have a severe attack and you probably won’t require as much medication.