Asthma Attack

How To Manage An Asthma Attack And Reduce Severity

Asthma attack frequency is increasing throughout the Western world, and incidences of the disease are reaching extremely worrying levels. The dramatic rise in the numbers of sufferers in the past thirty years, coupled with the fact that the highest incidences of the disease are in the most highly developed nations, suggests very strongly that the cause can be found within the environment which prevails in modern industrialized nations. We do not yet know the exact causes of asthma, nor do we yet have a cure, but there are steps which can be taken to manage the illness and to prevent it from completely ruining someone's life.

Asthma is a disease which affects the lungs and the breathing, sometimes dramatically. It can even cause death in extreme cases. In fact, the percentage of patients dying from the condition has increased despite the advances in medical science and despite the fact that more cases are being treated at an earlier stage. This can only mean that the circumstances which are causing the problems are worsening even though treatments are improving. Any long term improvement in the outlook for asthma is only likely to come when environmental factors are analyzed and somehow improved.

There is unlikely to be one exact definitive cause for asthma, as attacks are triggered by differing factors. It is known that a child continually exposed to dust mites when very young is far more likely to become asthmatic in later childhood, so it is likely that exposure to other pollutants in the environment will have a similar effect. With the growth of cities and towns and the increase in the amount of road traffic in just about every community, every child which grows up in a developed nation is going to be breathing in more polluted air than ever before.

Whatever the cause of an asthma attack may be, and whatever the cause of the disease in the first place, it is clear that there are factors which can both worsen attacks and make the more frequent. As this is a breathing condition, it is obvious that cigarette smoking is going to make it considerably worse. All asthma sufferers are advised to quit smoking, but for many it is not that easy. It is critical to keep trying and to never give up on the goal of becoming smoke free, as it is critical to successfully controlling the condition. Also, try to avoid becoming overweight as this increases pressure on the breathing.

As asthma is fundamentally an incurable condition, the primary consideration is always the relief of asthma attack symptoms. This can be a life and death situation, as thousands of people worldwide are killed by asthma every year. In the short term, it is critical to manage an attack as effectively as possible, and this is why every asthma sufferer should carry what is known as a relief inhaler. This gets the drugs to the place they are needed as quickly as possible, and can effectively cut an attack short. Once this is taken care of, long term treatment can begin to make attacks less severe.

Long term asthma attack treatment is also usually in the form of drugs, as well as with avoidance of any factors which are known to make the condition worse. Natural treatments such as vitamin C have often been tried, but there is no evidence which suggests any long term improvement in the condition. A plan should be worked out between the doctors and the patient right at the start, as it is desirable to keep drug treatments to the lowest dosages possible. It is best to start with the mildest drugs, and to increase them gently until they become effective.

Asthma can be successfully managed in the vast majority of patients, although some will need stronger drugs than others. Finding the right level is critical for the successful long term control of the condition, as excessive drug intake can aggravate the immune system and make the general health of the patient worse. It is also important to avoid stress, either physical or psychological. Exercise which is normally healthy for the body can be detrimental to an asthma sufferer, and can even bring on an attack.

An asthma attack is never going to be a pleasant experience, but with the right long term plan it can be a lot easier to manage. Look after the body well, and don't put excessive strain upon it. Only use as strong a drug as is necessary to keep the condition under control, and avoid contact with any pollutant or irritant which you know can aggravate the condition. This should lessen both the severity and frequency of attacks, and when those attacks do occur they can be successfully managed with a reliever inhaler. This combination should ensure that you never again fear an asthma attack.

Constantine Smith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Articles

• Asthma Research
• Asthma Attack
• Exercise Induced Asthma
• Allergy Asthma
• Asthma In Infants
• Childhood Asthma
• Asthma Action Plan
• Children With Asthma
• Asthma Facts
• Asthma
• Adult Onset Asthma
• Asthma Diet
• Asthma Diagnosis
• History Of Asthma
• Asthma Symptoms
• Cause Of Asthma
• Asthma Doctor
• Treatment Of Asthma
• Asthma Inhaler
• Asthma Education



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