17 January 2011

a disease called asthma

Asthma is an increasingly common disease among children and youth. Is estimated to have 10 percent of children in industrialized countries, and in many cases the disease occurs in response to certain stimuli such as pollen, dust mites or certain skin particles dog and cat.
This disease is the response to certain stimuli that produce allergies: pollen, dust mites, skin particles of cat and dog, smoke, cold air, certain foods or food additives. It is characterized by the occurrence of episodes of respiratory distress (crisis or attack), usually associated with other symptoms such as coughing, wheezing when breathing and shortness of breath. Symptoms vary according to age.
In this way, especially prevalent in children cough, especially at night, while in adults the three main symptoms are chest tightness, wheezing and fatigue at night. In recent years there has been an increased prevalence and a progressive increase of cases in children and adolescents, which highlights the need for preventive measures. The cure of asthma can only be achieved in some cases of allergic asthma or related to the workplace of the patient, whenever possible to avoid the causative agent.

Correct use of aerosols in the treatment of asthma


Remove the lid upside down and shake vigorously



Slowly expel as much air as possible from your lungs



With head bent slightly backward before the nozzle mouth. Hold the spray between the index finger and thumb, as shown in the figure, push the index to produce the shot while the mouth breathe deeply and steadily, trying to take as much air into the lungs



Hold the air in the lungs for as long as possible. Breathe out slowly. If you have to do more than one shot at a time, wait a minute or two between them

12 January 2011

Asthma Diagnostics

First you have to make a clinical diagnosis based on clinical history which show the symptoms described above. We also have to inquire into the nature of the crisis, presentation, interval between crises, desencadentes, seasonal period, disease progression and a general pediatric anamnesis in order to be able to make a differential diagnosis of other respiratory diseases that may present with the same symptoms as asthma. In order to objectify the airflow obstruction, the diagnosis is functional, which is a respiratory function test (spirometry). It has the disadvantage that it requires the cooperation of the child and therefore performed in children over 6 years.
In every child in suspected bronchial asthma must perform baseline spirometry and bronchodilator (give the child to inhale a drug) to demonstrate that the airway obstruction is reversible (characteristic of asthma). Finally, an etiologic diagnosis, led to seek the cause that triggers the symptoms, to identify the cause is the most important step to control the disease.

10 January 2011

What makes asthma symptoms to flare up?

Your asthma can flare up for several reasons.
Allergies can make your asthma symptoms worse. Viral infections (such as cold), snuff, contaminants (such as wood smoke), cold air, exercise, fumes from chemicals or perfume, sinus infections and heartburn can cause a flare-up.
In some people, strong emotions or stress can trigger an asthma attack. Pay attention to how these things affect your asthma. If you and your doctor figure out which things affect your asthma, you can begin to address them.

What are the symptoms of asthma flare-up?





Common symptoms are coughing, feeling breathless, a feeling of chest tightness and wheezing (breathing that makes a hoarse, squeaky, musical or whistling). Look every day if you have these symptoms.

As this is the flare-up?





If you feel you are having a flare-up, use a quick-relief medication or a fast-acting inhaler once. Make sure you and your doctor talk beforehand about how much medicine to take during an attack.
To determine how severe the symptoms are rapid onset asthma use their peak flow meter after using the quick-relief medicine. If the value of your peak flow is less than 50% of personal best, the attack is severe.
Ask your doctor for written directions about treating asthma flare-ups. If you have symptoms of a severe asthma attack or if the best value of your peak flow is less than 50% of personal best, call your doctor right away or go directly to the nearest emergency room by ambulance, if is necessary.
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