Parish Nurse Salem UCC

Asthma - February/March 2006

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation of the airways, trouble breathing, coughing and wheezing. The bronchioles, or breathing tubes, go into spasms, causing them to become narrow and making you feel short of breath. This narrowing also causes the airflow to be restricted through the airways, producing the whistling sound, or wheezing that is associated with an asthma attack.

There are many triggers that cause bronchospasms: severe colds, pneumonia, dust or dust mites, pets, pollen, mold or environmental allergies, cigarette smoke, strong scents- like heavy perfumes or sprays, certain foods or medicines, anxiety, exercise, and cold windy weather, to name a few. Obesity has been linked to asthma, so again, another reason to watch your weight.

Treatment of asthma is aimed at achieving good control of your symptoms. If you have bronchitis or pneumonia and start wheezing, see your physician, you might need some other medicines. If you are allergic to dust or dust mites, don't come to my house, J but other than that, wear a mask when cleaning, or hire a house cleaner, use zippered pillow and mattress protectors, wash your bedding weekly in hot water, avoid curtains and carpets (or vacuum weekly).If you are allergic to animals, or have other environmental or seasonal allergies, limit your exposure, and follow instructions per your health care provider. As for cigarette smoking, go smoke free , ask for non-smoking rooms in hotels and eat at non-smoking restaurants. As far as strong scents, be considerate when applying your perfumes. If you have food allergies, the most important thing, other than avoiding the food, is to read food labels! Just recently, there was a young girl who died from a severe reaction to peanut butter after kissing her boyfriend, who had eaten something with peanuts in it! If you have an allergy to medicines, be sure that your health care provider and pharmacist are aware, never take anything for granted. If anxiety is the cause of your symptoms, relaxation techniques and biofeedback can be helpful, or anti-anxiety medicine may be needed, but it's important to have medical causes ruled out. Exercise induced asthma can be controlled by medicines or varying the type of exercise. If cold windy weather is the culprit, stay inside; if that's not possible, wear a scarf covering your mouth and nose when you do venture outside.

Medications may be prescribed as pills, liquids, MDI's or metered-dose inhalers and aerosol nebulizers .The MDI's should be used with a spacer, which is a plastic tube that acts as a reservoir and holds the medicine until you breathe it into your lungs. Aerosols are liquids in a fine mist form that is more easily inhaled into the lungs and used for more acute cases. Steroids are used for their anti-inflammatory effects, decreasing the reaction to the triggers, the swelling in the airways and mucus production. Bronchodilators are used to relieve the symptoms of an acute attack, they are your “rescue” meds, and they relax your airways. Side effects include fast heart rate, nervousness and headaches. Use all of your medicines as directed. And don't forget to drink plenty of fluids.

If you or someone around you is having an acute asthma attack, you can never go wrong by calling 911. Don't take breathing for granted!

Take care, Linda