Bronchial asthma

Diagnosis For adults and children over 5 years old, lung (pulmonary) function tests are used to check how well the lungs are working. Poor lung function is a sign that your asthma isn't well controlled. In some cases, lung function tests are also used in asthma emergencies to help your doctor understand the severity of an asthma attack or how well treatment is working. Lung function tests include: • Peak flow. Your doctor may take a peak flow reading when you come in for a scheduled visit or for emergency treatment during an asthma attack. This test measures how quickly you can breathe out. You may also use a peak flow meter at home to monitor your lung function. The results of this test are known as peak expiratory flow (PEF). A peak flow test is done by blowing into a mouthpiece as hard and as fast as you can with a single breath (expiration). • Spirometry. During spirometry, you take deep breaths and forcefully exhale into a hose connected to a machine called a spirometer. A common spirometry measurement is forced expiratory volume, which measures how much air you can breathe out in one second. The results of this test are known as forced expiratory volume (FEV). Spirometry can also measure how much air your lungs can hold and the rate at which you can inhale and exhale. • Nitric oxide measurement. This exam measures the amount of nitric oxide gas you have in your breath when you exhale. High nitric oxide readings indicate inflammation of the bronchial tubes. • Pulse ox...

The main cause of bronchial asthma is genetic makeup interacting with environmental triggers which produce symptoms such as severe attacks that can only be treated with short-lived relief that does not prevent a recurrence. The main cause of bronchial • Inducing factors • Genetic factors • • Viral infections in early life • Exposure to tobacco smoke • • Triggering factors • • Environment: • Infections: • • Food: Coloring agents of food, food preservatives, ice creams. • • Psychological factor: • Occupation: Wood and cotton dust, chemicals. Bronchial What are the signs and symptoms of bronchial asthma? Bronchial A few common signs and symptoms of bronchial asthma are: • Breathlessness along with forcible • • • Tightness of chest • Thick • Aggravation of symptoms during the night and early morning • • Difficulty sleeping because of breathing problems • Increased discomfort in lying position The symptoms of bronchial asthma may start with mild wheezing and later progress to severe life-threatening situations. Typically, attacks start late at night or early morning, presenting with breathing difficulty, restlessness, wheezingand a severe Patients usually adopt an upright position to make breathing easier. Most often the cold or a cough aggravates the breathing distress, which may also be associated with an increased What are the treatment options for bronchial asthma? Since bronchial asthma is a chronic condition, it usually requires continuous medical care. Doctors prescribe ...

Asthma and COPD: What's the Difference, and Is There a Link? With What Is Asthma-COPD Overlap? Some people have It's possible to have symptoms of both asthma and COPD. ACO isn't a separate disease. The name is a way to acknowledge the mix of symptoms. It's not clear what causes ACO. Having COPD for a long time may change the way your lungs work and make you more likely to get it. Or it might start if you smoke while you have asthma. It may also happen for reasons no one has figured out yet. It's important to find and treat ACO because it can be more serious than having either condition alone. There's no cure, but you and your doctor can work together to help you breathe and live better. Who’s Likely to Have Asthma, COPD, or ACO? People who smoke or breathe in pollution or chemicals at work for many years have higher chances of having COPD. That's why the condition often starts in middle age or later in life. Asthma is sometimes caused by gene changes that are passed down through families. If one of your parents has the disease, you're more likely to have it. Symptoms of asthma often start in childhood, and the condition is one of the most widespread long-term illnesses in kids. It affects about 1 in 10 children. Besides a family history of the condition, a few things can raise your chances of asthma: • • Lung infections • • Being around chemicals or other irritants in the air People who get ACO tend to be over 40 but younger than people with just COPD, and they have Asthma...

James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D. You may wonder what allergies and asthma have in common besides making you miserable. A lot, as it turns out. Allergies and asthma often occur together. The same substances that trigger your hay fever (allergic rhinitis) symptoms, such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander, may also cause asthma signs and symptoms. In some people, skin or food allergies can cause asthma symptoms. This is called allergic asthma or allergy-induced asthma. An allergic response occurs when immune system proteins (antibodies) mistakenly identify a harmless substance, such as tree pollen, as an invader. In an attempt to protect your body from the substance, antibodies bind to the allergen. The chemicals released by your immune system lead to allergy signs and symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes or skin reactions. For some people, this same reaction also affects the lungs and airways, leading to asthma symptoms. Most treatments are designed to treat either asthma or allergic rhinitis. But a few treatments help with both conditions. Some examples: • Leukotriene modifier. This type of medication can ease both allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms. Called a leukotriene modifier, this daily pill helps control immune system chemicals released during an allergic reaction. Montelukast (Singulair) is the leukotriene modifier that can treat both asthma and allergic rhinitis. • Allergy shots (immunotherapy). Allergy shots can help treat asthma by gradually re...

Bronchial asthma is a medical condition which causes the airway path of the lungs to swell and narrow. Due to this swelling, the air path produces excess mucus making it hard to breathe, which results in coughing, short breath, and wheezing. The disease is chronic and interferes with daily working. The disease is curable and inhalers help overcome asthma attacks. Bronchial Asthma can affect any age or gender and depends upon environmental and hereditary factors at large. When ignored, disease proves fatal claiming lives in many cases. As per a recent survey, more than 1 million cases are reported every year in India. The symptoms may vary from individual to individual and depends on environmental factors. A person may show regular symptoms of the disease or periodic symptoms that may prompt at a certain time. The most common signs of asthma that can help diagnose the disease are: • Breathlessness or short breath while talking, laughing, or running. • Chest Pain or tightness. • Sleep apnea or trouble while sleeping caused by breathlessness. • Coughing or wheezing (whistling sound from chest while sleeping or lying down). • Cold and flu due to viral infection. Though the root cause of bronchial asthma is unclear, it occurs largely due to environmental or genetic factors. The factors that trigger an asthma reaction are: • Exposure to substances such as pollen, dust, animal fur, sand, and bacteria, which triggers allergic reactions. • Viral Infection like cold and flu, or pneu...

The first step in diagnosing asthma is talking to your doctor about your symptoms and your health. This can provide clues as to whether asthma or something else is causing your symptoms. Your doctor will likely ask about your symptoms and your exposure to substances that have been linked to asthma. Questions might include: • What are your symptoms? When do they occur? What, if anything, seems to trigger them? • Are you often exposed to tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, dust or other airborne irritants? • Do you have hay fever or another allergic condition? • Do you have blood relatives, such as a parent, aunt, grandparent or cousin, with asthma, hay fever or other allergies? • What health problems do you have? • What medications or herbal supplements do you take? • What is your occupation? • Do you have pet birds, or do you raise pigeons? Your doctor will want to know whether you have common signs and symptoms of asthma, such as: • Recurrent wheezing • Coughing • Trouble breathing • Chest tightness • Symptoms that occur or worsen at night • Symptoms that are triggered by cold air, exercise or exposure to allergens Asthma signs and symptoms in children In children, additional signs and symptoms may signal asthma. These may include: • Louder or faster than normal breathing • Frequent coughing or coughing that worsens after active play • Coughing, clear mucus and a runny nose caused by hay fever • Frequent missed school days • Limited participation in physical activities Spirome...