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Pulmonary, Asthma and Allergy Page

Links presented here are in no particular order. Any products presented are neither endorsed or encouraged by Trach-ties and are a solely for information purposes.

Asthma

Asthma is a disease that is non-discriminatory. It does not discriminate age, race, or gender. It is a pulmonary (lung) disease that is characterize by a tightening of the bronchial tree (breathing tubes) and increase of secretions in those tightened tubes. Symptoms can be brought on by an number of factors, including, allergy, stress, extremes of temperature, and infection.

Many advances have been made in the treatment and management of asthma over the last twenty years. But still we have not stopped deaths from asthma. It is a disease that needs to be respected and managed diligently.

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Treatments for asthma include metered dose inhalers of immediate acting and long acting bronchodilators as well as steroid inhalers (MDI's), oral bronchodilators, nebulized medications, again both immediate and long acting, oral steroids, and oral medications like 'accolate' or 'singlair' which decrease the inflammatory response of the airways. The person with the asthma, or their caregiver if it is a child, need to be familiar with each medication and how it needs to be administered. Long acting medications can not be used for an acute attack. Medicines should not be used except as directed by the person's physician.

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Careful management of asthma makes it so that the person with asthma can live as normal a life as can be afforded them. Planning is a big part of that. If you are about to become involved in an activity that is known will cause shortness of breath, then prevention is the best medicine. The use of a "rescue" inhaler (short immediate acting medication) about ten minutes prior to the planned activity can avert the shortness of breath.

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The use of "peak flow meters" makes management of asthma less mysterious. When an asthmatic is feeling short of breath you can have them use the flowmeter and determine just how constricted they are. The amount of air flow determines the severity of the attack. If you are in the "yellow" zone it is recommended that you notify your physician if a "rescue" inhaler does not improve the shortness of breath. If you are in the "red" zone it is recommended to dial 911 for trained personnel to assist in that situation.

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You can find out more about asthma at the following links:

Disclaimer; In no way are these web pages or links intended to replace care by a qualified medical professional. They are here for information only. If you feel you fit any of the symptoms listed in any of these links you should seek care from a qualified medical professional.

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Pulmonary, Asthma and Allergy Page

Asthma

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Asthma and Allergy Links