What is ASTHMA?
- Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs and is associated with widespread but variable airflow obstruction.
- Asthma has been estimated to afflict 3% to 5% of the adult population and around 7% of children.
- There have been gradual increases in both the prevalence and mortality caused by asthma despite advances in therapy.

Common causes of ASTHMA
- Many factors may trigger an asthma attack: respiratory infections, environment, exercise, drugs and/or preservatives, sinusitis/rhinitis, allergies, emotions, occupational stimuli, and GERD.
- Alterations of the airways include an increase in mucous secretions, alterations of the epithelium, mucosal and submucosal edema, basement membrane thickening, smooth muscle swelling, and inflammatory cell infiltration.
- Chronic asthma is associated with long term changes in airway structure, primarily basement membrane thickening, which is probably the result of long-standing bronchial inflammation.

Common symptoms of ASTHMA
- Asthma symptoms usually occur on an intermittent basis and include difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, and cough.

Typical treatment of ASTHMA
- Asthma is a chronic condition and the goal for treatment is management rather than cure.
- A stepwise approach to asthma treatment is based on disease severity leading to prevention of symptoms, reduction in frequency and severity of exacerbations, maintenance of normal to near normal pulmonary function, maintenance of normal activity levels, and minimization of medication side effects.
- Known allergens should be avoided (house dust, mites, animal dander, mold, etc.).
- Short acting beta-agonists relieve acute symptoms and are preventative treatment prior to exercise for exercised induced bronchospasm (prescription only).
- Anticholinergics may help relieve acute bronchospasm but have a slower onset than beta agonists.
- Long acting beta-agonists, methylxanthines, cromones, leukotriene modifiers and inhaled steroids are all used for long term prevention of symptoms (prescription only).
- Systemic steroids are also used for short term "bursts" (3 to 10 days) to gain control of inadequately controlled persistent asthma (prescription only).
- Patients should be closely monitored for adherence, inhaler technique, "as needed" beta-agonist use, frequency of oral steroid "burst" therapy, changes in long-term control and side effects of medications.

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This information is of a general nature and may not apply to your special circumstances. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician or an appropriate health care professional.  These monographs are counseling aids for healthcare professionals only and are not to be used as a reference to diagnose or treat medical conditions.          Copyright 2005 RXinsider LTD