Asthma is a chronic, or life long, disease that can be seriouseven life threatening.

There is no cure
for asthma. The good news is that it can be managed so you can live a normal, healthy life. The more
you can learn about asthma, the better you and your loved ones can manage living with this disease,
making the most of every day, and maintaining the quality of life that is important to you.

Asthma is a lung disease that makes it harder to move air in and out of your lungs. There are three
things that you should know about asthma:

1. Asthma is chronic. In other words, you live with it every day.

2. It can be serious even life threatening.
3. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed so you live a normal, healthy life.

What is Asthma?

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When you breathe, air passes through your nose and down your throat into your lungs. Inside your
lungs are branching tubes called airways. With asthma, the airways are often swollen and red (or
inflamed). This makes them extra sensitive to things that you are exposed to in the environment
every day or asthma triggers. A trigger could be a cold, the weather, or things in the environment,
such as dust, chemicals, smoke and pet dander.
When someone with asthma breathes in a trigger, the insides of the airways make extra mucus and
swell even more. This narrows the space for the air to move in and out of the lungs. The muscles that
wrap around your airways can also tighten, making breathing even harder. When that happens, its
called an asthma flare-up, asthma episode or asthma attack.
Asthma can start at any age. Sometimes, people have asthma when they are very young and as their
lungs develop, the symptoms go away. But, there is a possibility that it will come back later in life.
Sometimes, people get asthma for the first time when they are older.

If you are a person living with asthma, a friend, family member, co-worker, or frontline healthcare
professional, take a moment to learn more about asthma by participating in our new online learning
module, Asthma Basics. More

What Causes Asthma?

The exact cause of asthma is not known. Asthma tends to run in families and may be inherited, but
environmental factors may also play a key role. Scientists continue to explore what causes asthma,
but we do know that these factors play an important role in the development of asthma:

Genetics. Asthma tends to runs in families. Genetics plays an important role in causing asthma.If your mom or dad have asthma,
then you are more likely to have asthma too.
Allergies. Some people are more likely to develop allergies than others, especially if your mom or dad had allergies. Certain
allergies are linked to people who get asthma.
Respiratory Infections. As the lungs develop in infancy and early childhood, certain respiratory infections have been shown to
cause inflammation and damage the lung tissue. The damage that is caused in infancy or early childhood can impact lung
function long-term.
 Environment. Contact with allergens, certain irritants, or exposure to viral infections as an infant or in early childhood when the
immune system in developing have been linked to developing asthma. Irritants and air pollution may also play a significant role
in adult-onset asthma.

Is Asthma Serious?
Yes. Asthma is a serious health problem. The good news is that it can be successfully treated. People
with asthma can live normal, productive lives. Its important to find a health care provider that you
trust and feel comfortable visiting on a regular basis. Your health care provider will work with you to
help you manage your disease. Withoutproper treatment, asthma can be extremely dangerous, even fatal.

Asthma Flare-Ups
After an asthma flare-up, you will probably feel tired. For several days after an episode, you are at
increased risk of having another flare-up. For the next several days after a flare-up, be sure to:

Avoid your asthma triggers

Monitor your symptoms or check you airways using a peak flow meter
Poor asthma management can lead to airway remodeling. Airway remodeling is a serious condition
that happens when asthma is untreated or poorly managed. The lungs become scarred, asthma
medicines do not work as well, and less air is able to move through the airways. Airway remodeling
does not have to happen. Stick to an asthma action plan. Take control of your asthma!

Asthma symptoms can differ for each person, but here are some of the most common:

Wheezing. You may notice a wheezing sound when you breathe. Sometimes this happens only when you exercise or have a cold.
Frequent Cough. This may be more common at night. You may or may not cough up mucus.
Shortness of Breath. This is the feeling you cant get enough air into your lungs. It may occur only once in a while, or often.
Chest Tightness. Your chest may feel tight, especially during cold weather or exercise. This can also be the first sign of a flare-
up.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. The sooner you begin
treating your asthma and maintaining control, the less damage you will cause to your lungs in the long
run. There are many resources available for people living with asthma and their loved ones. To learn
more about your asthma, visit one of the links below:

Taking Control of Asthma

Making Your Medical Visits More Satisfying

What Causes Asthma Symptoms?

For people with asthma, respiratory infections, allergens, chemicals, odors, physical activity,
emotions, seasonal changes and smoking can irritate the lungs. We call these triggers because they
cause (trigger) changes in the airways. Understanding the things that trigger your asthma will help
you manage your disease. Work with your healthcare provider to help find the triggers that cause your
asthma symptoms. Once you have identified the triggers that cause your asthma symptoms, work on
ways to avoid the trigger entirely or limit your exposure to it.

An asthma trigger is a thing, activity or condition that makes asthma worse. When you come in
contact with a trigger it can cause a sudden worsening of symptoms which is often called an
asthma attack, episode or flare-up.
Common asthma triggers include respiratory infections, allergens, irritants, exercise, and emotions.
Knowing what causes your asthma symptoms is an important step to controlling your asthma. Allergy
testing may help you identify your triggers. Your health care provider can help you recognize what
makes your asthma worse, and help find simple solutions to reduce and avoid asthma triggers.

Respiratory Infections, such as a cold, flu, orsinus infection, are the most common cause of
asthma symptoms leading to an asthma flare-up

Asthma can be triggered by food allergies as well as medicines.

Medical Conditions

Food & Medicines

Respiratory Infections, such as

a cold, flu, orsinus infection, are the most common
cause of asthma symptoms leading to an asthma flare- Asthma can be triggered by food
up. Frequent hand washing and avoiding people who allergies as well as medicines. Discuss any over-the-
are sick will help to reduce your exposure to cold and counter or prescription medicines you take such
flu. But, the best way to prevent influenza is to get a as aspirin, fever-reducers or anti-
flu vaccine every year. To find a flu vaccine near you, inflammatories with your health care provider, along
visit the Flu Vaccine Finder. Medical conditions such with any alternative therapies or herbal
as Acid Reflux can also worsen asthma symptoms. remedies that may have an impact on your asthma.
TRIGGER EXAMPLES TRIGGER EXAMPLES

Respiratory Infections (colds, flu, sinus infections) Common food allergies (peanuts and shellfish)

Pregnancy hormones Aspirin

Acid Reflux Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Smoke Weather, Pollen, & Air Pollution

All types of smoke can make it Changes in the season can bring on
hard to breathe including smoke from cigarettes, an asthma episode due to increasedpollen in the air.
wood burning fireplaces, burning leaves. If you Limit your time outdoors during high pollen times of
smoke, you should make a plan to quit. If you dont the year such as spring and fall. Also, extreme
smoke, but live with someone who does, discuss ways temperatures (hot and cold) can trigger symptoms of
to avoid or limit your exposure to tobacco smoke. The asthma. Be prepared for the weather before you leave
American Lung Association offers many ways to help your home by checking the pollen count and air
smokers quit. Contact the American Lung quality index.
Association Lung HelpLine at 1-800-586-4872 to TRIGGER EXAMPLES
speak with a smoking cessation&bsp;counselor.
TRIGGER EXAMPLES Cold, windy, stormy weather
 Cigarette, cigar or pipe smoke Sudden or extreme temperature changes

Fireplace, campfire or leaf burning smoke High humidity

Weeds, trees, grass

Air pollution, smog, vehicle exhaust and fumes

Pests
Animals

Pests in the home, workplace or

Dander and saliva from animals school can impact your asthma. To reduce your
with fur or feathers can be an allergen for some and exposure to these triggers, wash bedding regularly, fix
can cause asthma symptoms. Reduce your exposure to leaks, store garbage outside, vacuum and dust weekly,
pet allergens by vacuuming and damp dusting weekly. as well as using allergen-proof pillow and
Try to keep your pets out of the bedroom or other mattress covers.
rooms where you spend a lot of time. TRIGGER EXAMPLES
TRIGGER EXAMPLES
Dust mites
Birds
Cockroaches
Cats, dogs, ferrets, hamsters, Guinea pigs, bunnies
or mice Rodents such as mice and rats

Exercise

Staying active is very important to

your overall health and wellbeing, especially for those
with asthma. If you have exercise causes asthma
Mold symptoms, use your quick-relief medicine 15 30
minutes before physical activity if prescribed.
Remember to monitor the air quality if you plan to
exercise outside.

TRIGGER EXAMPLES

Mold is an allergen that can trigger Walking, climbing stairs

asthma symptoms. You can reduce your exposure to
mold by cleaning visible mold, throwing away moldy Intense exercise
items, running a dehumidifier and using the exhaust
fan when taking a shower. Clean mold with mild soap, Sports
how water and a strong brush.
 Swimming

Every day comes with its ups and down emotionally. Its important to remember that strong
emotions can increase rapid breathing and trigger asthma symptoms. Stress, both personal and work-
related, can be a major trigger as well.
TRIGGER EXAMPLES
Laughing or crying too hard
Feeling stressed or anxious
Anger
Fear
Yelling

Diagnose of asthma

If you experience any of the symptoms above, it is important to see your healthcare provider to
determine if you have asthma. You will be asked for some medical history, which should include family
members with asthma, smoking, allergies, and exposure to pollutants in your workplace. You will also
get a physical exam. There are also several breathing tests your healthcare provider may perform.
The most common test is called spirometry. (Spirometry uses a device called, a spirometer, to
measure the amount and speed of the air you blow out.) This will help your healthcare provider to see
how well your lungs are working. There are other lung diseases that may cause some of the same
symptoms as asthma. If your doctor thinks you might have something else, he or she may order
additional tests.

Monitoring Asthma

Monitoring symptoms is an essential part of your asthma treatment to gain control of your asthma. In
order to do this, you and your doctor need to develop an asthma action plan as part of your asthma
treatment. This asthma treatment plan will allow you to determine how well your asthma is controlled
and what actions need to be taken.

You will monitor your asthma treatment using a peak flow meter, a handheld device allowing you to
determine the airflow in your lungs. The peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measures how fast air is
moving out of the lungs. As asthma worsens PEFR decreases.

Your doctor will specify three zones related to your PEFR: Green, yellow, and red-- just like a traffic
light. After determining your goal PEFR, your actions and asthma treatment will depend upon the
zone.

Green: A green zone PEFR indicates your asthma treatment and lungs are doing well. You feel well
and do not have coughing or wheezing. Your PEFR is 80% or more of your best peak flow. You can
continue routine daily medications and asthma treatment without altering activities.
Yellow: With a yellow zone PEFR, you may begin to notice an increase in both frequency and severity
of symptoms and a drop in PEFR to between 50-80% of best peak flow. You may notice increased
cough, waking up at night, and not be able to do all normal activities. Based on your asthma
treatment care plan, you will make changes to your medication usage-- possibly increasing the dose
and/ or frequency.

Red: A red zone PEFR indicates a more significant airway obstruction and requires your immediate
attention. Generally, patients are short of breath, actively wheezing, and cannot complete normal
activities. You will again change your routine medication based on your asthma treatment care plan.

In addition to recording PEFR, your healthcare provider may also ask you to keep a record of how
often you need to use rescue, or fast-acting relief medication, and symptoms of nighttime cough as
part of the asthma treatment plan. He or she may use this diary to adjust your asthma treatment by
either increasing or decreasing your medication, depending on the symptoms.

A person with asthma commonly uses a peak flow meter to measure the amount of air they can expel
from their lungs. If the airways become narrow or blocked due to asthma, peak flow values will drop
because you cannot blow air out of the lungs well. You can usea peak flow meter to monitor your
asthma over time and to help determine how well your medications are working.

Asthma medication :
 Your asthma treatment will be based on how frequently you experience symptoms. Most physicians follow guidelines from the
National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute.

Generally, asthma medications that are part of your asthma treatment either provide quick relief and long-term control.

Quick-Relief Medications

Bronchodilators: Short-acting bronchodilators (SABA) like Albuterol provide quick relief asthma treatment by relaxing the
smooth muscles in the narrowed airways. SABAs are generally inhaled using a device called a metered dose inhaler. In patients
who require SABA use only once or twice per week, this may be the only medication needed. Side affects that you may notice
after using a SABA include:

Feeling shaky
Rapid heart rate
Anxiousness after use

Long Term Control Medications

Controller medications need to be taken daily as part of your asthma treatment, even when your child feels good and their PEFR
is in the green zone.

Inhaled Steroids Inhaled steroids decrease inflammation, or swelling, and irritation in the airways of your lungs. With treatment,
decreased sensitivity to triggers may also occur. The most common side effects of this asthma treatment are:
Thrush- preventable by using a spacer, a small tube attached to your metered dose inhaler, and rinsing after use.
Hoarse voice and sore throat- may require changing medications.
Long-Acting Bronchodilators: Long-acting bronchodilators, similar to the quick-relief asthma treatment medications, but last
for 12 or more hours, may be combined with inhaled steroids in patients with persistent asthma symptoms not responding to
inhaled steroids alone. Patients will still need to use their quick-relief inhaler.

Cromolyn: Cromolyn works as an asthma treatment by decreasing the activity of certain allergy cells that cause inflammation in

the airways, but is less effective than inhaled steroids as a single asthma treatment. As opposed to the inhaled steroids that are

taken once or twice daily, cromolyn needs to be taken 3 to 4 times daily via a metered dose inhaler to be effective. Cromolyn

inhalation works by acting on certain inflammatory cells in the lungs to prevent them from releasing
substances that cause asthma symptoms or bronchospasm.

Leukotriene Inhibitors: Many children and parents would prefer an asthma treatment with leukotriene inhibitors because it is
delivered as a pill. Leukotriene inhibitors work by decreasing inflammation, constriction of the airways, and mucus production.
While there are very few side effects, as a single therapy for asthma, leukotriene inhibitors are less effective than inhaled steroids.