What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disorder of the airways affecting both adults and children. A person with asthma has the disorder with or without symptoms. The airways are over sensitive causing them to overreact when exposed to certain things.

Asthma affects over 24 million Americans with approximately 6.3 million being children. In 2000, asthma was the cause of 1.8 million emergency room visits and 465,000 hospitalizations. Asthma is responsible for 5,000 deaths a year.

What happens during an asthma episode?
During an asthma episode, the airways to the lungs become swollen. This can happen very quickly. When the airways become swollen, this causes the muscles around the airways to constrict and narrow, making it very difficult to breathe.

Signs of an asthma episode?
Here are some signs to look for:
• Coughing
• Wheezing or noisy breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness or pain in the chest
• Rapid breathing

What medications are used to treat asthma?
Long-term control (preventative) medication and quick relief (rescue) medication

Preventative medications are taken on a daily basis to help control persistent asthma. You take these medications everyday whether you have symptoms or not. Your doctor prescribed these medications to help prevent an asthma episode or to lessen the severity of an asthma episode.

The following medications are used for this purpose (Ask your doctor what type of medication was given to you):
• Anti-inflammatory medications are used to reduce the inflammation in the lungs.
• Long-acting bronchodilators are used to relax the muscles.
• Leukotriene modifiers prevents airway inflammation and decreases the mucus in the lungs.
Rescue medications (short-acting bronchodilators) are used to relieve asthma symptoms.

Even when you’re taking your preventative medication, you may have occasions where you will need your rescue medication. Your doctor has prescribed this medication to help relieve your symptoms. This medication works within minutes to open the airways and relieve symptoms.

What Causes an Asthma Episode?
The most common causes are:
• Common allergens – dust mites, animals, molds, pollens, and cockroaches
• Viral infections (the common cold)
• Exercise and cold air
• Irritants - tobacco smoke, air pollution, fumes from chemicals, strong smells.
• Strong Emotions – crying or laughing
• Aspirin sensitivity
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease referred to as GERD – This is when the acids from the stomach back up into the esophagus.

Ask your doctor how to determine what causes your asthma. Once you know what causes your asthma, your doctor can suggest ways to reduce your exposure. This is a really important step in managing your asthma.

Find out your local pollen count by going to www.pollen.com