History of asthma

 

There is evidence of asthma since ancient Egypt, and even before. The Georg Ebers Papyrus, found in Egypt in the 1870's, contains over 700 glyphs prescriptions. As an example we can cite asthma recipe detailing how to heat a mixture of herbs the bricks, then suck the vapors ...
The term comes from the Greek term asthma Aazein:

The word asthma comes from the Greek verb aazein, which means

pant, exhaling with the mouth open, breathing hard. In the Iliad, a Greek epic poem (attributed to Homer), the term "asthma" appeared for the first time as far as literature is concerned.

The "Hippocratic" by Hippocrates, is the oldest text where the word "asthma" but as a medical term. It is not entirely clear whether Hippocrates (460-360 BC) nominates to asthma as a clinical entity or simply as a symptom.  

Hippocrates states that the spasms associated with asthma were more likely to occur among the fishermen, tailors and metal workers.

Aretaeus of Cappadocia (100 AD), a former teacher Greek physician, wrote a clinical description of asthma. Galen (130-200 AD), an ancient Greek physician, wrote several mentions of asthma were generally in agreement with the texts of Hippocrates and to some extent with those of Aretaeus of Cappadocia. He describes the obstruction and bronchial asthma as proposed owl treat blood mixed with wine.

 

Moses Maimonides (1135-1204 AD), the rabbi and philosopher who lived in Andalusia, Morocco and Egypt, was also a physician who practiced medicine in the court of the Sultan Saladin of Egypt. Among the many medical texts, Maimonides wrote the "Treatise of Asthma" for Prince Al-Afdal, (one of his patients). Maimonides showed that the symptoms of his patient often starts as a common cold during the wet months. Finally, the patient was out of breath and coughing until mucus expelled, which improved his condition. He noted that the dry months of Egypt helped asthma sufferers. Maimonides also suggested avoiding strong medication, sleep and excess fluids, moderation in sexual activity, and chicken soup.

 

Jean Baptiste van Helmont (1579-1644 AD), physician, chemist and physiologist of Belgium, said that asthma originated in the airways to the lungs.
Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714 AD), known by some as the father of sports medicine, detects a link between asthma and organic dust. It also recognizes the exercise-induced asthma.
In the early 20's asthma was considered a psychosomatic illness (probably delayed approach any medical breakthrough at the time). During the years 1930 to 1950, asthma is known as one of "the seven holy psychosomatic illnesses."

 

Asthma is described by psychologists as "wheeze of a child are seen as a suppressed cry for his mother." Psychoanalysts believe that Patients with asthma should be treated for depression. This theory was finally disproved psychiatric and asthma is currently a psychological illness as well as physical. Asthma, inflammatory disease, was not really recognized until the 1960s when anti-inflammatory drugs begin to be used.

Asthma Triggers

Several factors can trigger asthma symptoms, including:

• Allergens
• Irritants such as snuff smoke, strong odors
• Changes in weather
• Viral or sinus infections
• Exercises
• Reflux disease (stomach acid flows into the esophagus)
• Drug
• Food
• Emotional distress

Each person has their own triggers. If you have asthma, you can minimize your symptoms by avoiding the trigger factors, and working with your doctor to develop an effective plan of treatment and control.

Allergens

Allergic rhinitis or "hay fever" is a risk factor in the development of asthma. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma may be triggered by allergens , any substances that cause allergies, and can be:

• Pollen
• Moho
• Animal dander
• Dust mites in the house
• Cockroach
• Food

If your asthma is caused by allergens, it is important to avoid contact with them . See your allergist / immunologist for recommendations on control measures that will help you avoid allergens.

Irritants

The inflamed airways of asthmatics are hypersensitive to environmental irritants. Irritants that can trigger and aggravate asthma include:

• Air pollutants such as snuff smoke, wood smoke, chemicals in the air and ozone
• Occupational exposure to vapors, dust, fumes and gases
• Strong odors or sprays such as perfumes, household cleaners, hairspray, cooking fumes (especially from frying), paints and varnishes
• Other particles in the air and coal dust, chalk dust or talcum powder
• Change in weather, such as changes in temperature and humidity, barometric pressure changes or strong winds

These irritants can aggravate asthma, especially snuff smoke . Several studies have indicated a higher incidence of asthma in children whose mothers smoke. No one should smoke in the home of an asthmatic.

Infections

Viral infections such as colds or viral pneumonia can cause or aggravate asthma, especially in young children. These infections can irritate the respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs and breasts), and this often causes further irritation to asthma attacks . Furthermore, sinusitis , an inflammation of the hollow cavities around the eyes and behind the nose can cause asthma.

Exercises

Strenuous physical exercise can also cause asthma attacks . Mouth breathing, exercising in cold, dry air, or prolonged strenuous activities such as running middle and long distance, can increase the chance of exercise-induced asthma (EIA). For more information visit the section on asthma and exercise

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acid flows into the esophagus, can affect patients with asthma. Symptoms can be severe or repeated heartburn, belching, night asthma, increased asthma symptoms after meals or exercise, or frequent cough and hoarseness. Treatment for GERD is also often beneficial for symptoms of asthma.

Drug

Some adults with asthma may experience an asthma attack due to certain medications such as aspirin or other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, and beta-blockers (used to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, migraine and glaucoma). Before taking any prescription medicine, people with asthma should consult a physician.

Food

In some people, eating certain foods or eating certain ingredients can trigger asthma symptoms . These factors may be milk, eggs, nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. If any of these foods cause asthma attacks, the best remedy is to avoid

Emotional Anxiety

Emotional factors alone can not cause asthma. However, anxiety and nervous stress can cause fatigue, which in turn can increase asthma symptoms and aggravate an attack. As with any chronic condition, rest, nutrition and adequate exercise are important for overall wellbeing and can help manage asthma.

Inhalation devices for asthma

They use different inhalation devices in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as emphysema. Inhalers are effective in delivering medication directly to the lungs, with fewer side effects than oral medications or injections. There are certain types of inhalation devices. The type of inhalation device will vary, depending on your medical history, preference, severity and frequency of symptoms. Inhalers can contain anti-inflammatory medications or bronchodilator medications.
The most common types of inhalation devices include the following:

of controlled dose inhaler

The most common type of inhaler, the metered-dose inhaler, in most cases, uses a chemical propellant (chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs) to remove the drug from the inhaler. There are now some MDIs that use CFCs to propel the medication. They are developing new types of delivery systems.

A metered-dose inhaler is held in front of the mouth or inserted into it as the drug is released in bursts. Consult your doctor for specific instructions on how to properly use a metered-dose inhaler.

Nebulizer

A nebulizer is a type of inhaler that sprays a fine, a liquid mixture of the drug. This is done through a mask, using oxygen or air under pressure, or an ultrasonic machine (often used by people who can not use a metered-dose inhaler, such as infants and young children and people with asthma severe).

The mouth is connected to a machine via plastic tubing to deliver medication to the patient. Consult your doctor for specific instructions on how to properly use a nebulizer.

Polvos the inhaler dry rotary

A dry powder inhaler unpressurised activated inhaler that may be used by children and adults, this type of inhaler does not use chlorofluorocarbon (Also called a CFC) to propel the medication out of the device. Consult your doctor for specific instructions on how to properly use an inhaler or dry powder rotary.
Making-dose inhalers more environmentally friendly:
Although many metered-dose inhalers still use chlorofluorocarbon (English CFC) to propel the medication out of the device, more and more inhalers are being replaced by non-CFC devices. The CFC, although safe for the person who inhaled, damage the ozone layer of the Earth - a layer that protects Earth from harmful sun rays. Other devices that previously used CFC, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, have already changed aa alternatives that do not use chlorofluorocarbons.

Important: It is what you should avoid doing if you suffer from asthma?

1. Avoid intense physical activity a day when asthma is not controlled.
2. Avoid strenuous exercise if you have a respiratory infection (colds, bronchitis, ...).
3. Never make a strenuous exercise if you notice wheezing or has a bad cough.
4. For those asthmatics that their doctor has recommended peak flow meter , never exercise if you are in the yellow zone (should be very moderate).
5. Avoid whenever possible cold and dry environments. If you were to do an exercise in those conditions, wear a mask like surgeons.
6. Avoid intense exercise or last long, especially until it has reached a good physical condition and not know the personal boundaries of the exercise.
7. Avoid exercising in polluted environments or smoke .