The immune system is a network of cell types working together to defend and protect the body from “invaders” such as viruses, infections and disease. If you suffer from allergies, your body’s immune system may overreact to certain allergens*. Or, if you have an immunodeficiency disorder, your body’s immune system is compromised and has difficulty fighting infections.
Corticosteroids are medications used to treat asthma and some allergic conditions such as skin allergy. These corticosteroids are not the same steroids used by athletes. Inhaled corticosteroids are medications used to specifically treat asthma and they are taken by using an inhaler. This medication should be taken consistently so that it decreases inflammation in the airways of your lungs and prevents asthma flare-ups.
Corticosteroids are considered the most effective long term usage medication for control and management of asthma. Depending upon the severity of your asthma, your physician may combine an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting beta-2 agonist* to treat your condition. Oral and intravenous corticosteroids may be required for acute asthma flare-ups or for severe symptoms. Topical corticosteroid cream medications are used to treat allergic conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Occupational asthma is caused by inhaling fumes, gases, dust or other potentially harmful substances while “on the job.” Irritants in high doses that induce occupational asthma include hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide or ammonia, which is found in the petroleum or chemical industries. If you are exposed to any of these substances at high concentrations, you may begin wheezing and experiencing other asthma symptoms immediately after exposure. Workers who already have asthma or some other respiratory disorder may also experience an increase in their symptoms during exposure to these irritants. Often, asthma symptoms are worse during days or nights you work, improve when you have time off and start again when you go back to work. People with a family history of allergies are more likely to develop occupational asthma, particularly to some substances such as flour, animals and latex. Allergies play a role in many cases of occupational asthma. This type of asthma generally develops only after months or years of exposure to a work-related substance.
A peak flow meter for asthma is a handheld meter that measures how well air flows out of the lungs. Measuring your peak flow using this device is an important part of managing your asthma symptoms and preventing an asthma attack. That is because sometimes you may feel your breathing is fine, but when you measure it with a peak flow meter, you find your lung function is slightly decreased. A PFM can be used to:
• Determine the severity of your asthma
• Check your response to treatment during an acute asthma episode
• Monitor progress in treatment of chronic asthma and provide information for any changes in your therapy
• Detect worsening lung function and avoid a possible serious asthma flare-up
A peak flow meter can help you and your allergist evaluate how severe your asthma is at any point in time. With a peak flow meter, you can often see a drop in your readings even before your symptoms (like coughing or wheezing) get worse. Decreases in peak flow may show that you need to increase your medication. Another measure of asthma control is peak flow variability. For many people with asthma, symptoms are usually worse at night. By consistently monitoring nighttime peak flow measurements, you can tell how well your asthma is controlled. A decrease of 15% or greater from your usual measurement may be a sign of nighttime asthma. A person without asthma or with well-controlled asthma will consistently blow peak flows that vary less than 15%.
Also known as childhood asthma is the most common serious chronic disease in infants and children; yet is often difficult to diagnose.
In infants and children, asthma may appear as:
•Wheezing (whistling sound) when breathing
•Coughing
•Rapid breathing
•Labored breathing
•Complaints of chest hurting
•Reduced energy
•Feeling weak or tired
Some children have symptoms only when exercising or playing a sport. This is called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction*. Childhood asthma, just like asthma in adults, can’t be cured. But with the right medications and treatment plan, symptoms can be controlled. This is extremely important in order to prevent damage to growing lungs.
Risk factors for developing pediatric asthma:
•Allergies
•Family history of allergies and/or asthma
•Frequent respiratory infections
•Low birth weight
•Second-hand smoke before and/or after birth
•Growing up in a low income, urban environment
A PFT is a special computer designed test to measure the force of air exhaled and inhaled into the lungs. There are three measurements that are especially important when measuring lung functions. The Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) measures the total amount of air, in liters, in the lungs. The Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1) measures the amount of air expelled in the first second the air is forced out of your lungs, this is usually restricted in asthmatics. The last measurement, and perhaps the most important in detecting asthma, is the Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF 25-75). This assesses the amount of air in the small airways, or bronchioles, which are usually narrowed in asthma.
