Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system. In Asthmatic conditions, the air passage occasionally constricts, becomes inflamed and is lined with excessive amount of mucus, often in response to various triggers. Environmental stimulants such as cold, warm or moist air, exercise or exertion and emotional stress often act as triggers in this case. Viral illness such as common cold is the most common triggers in case of children. The two main reasons for the narrowing of the airways are the inside lining of the airways becoming red and swollen causing extra mucus to produce and tightening of the muscles around the airways. These conditions are known as inflammation and bronchoconstriction respectively.
The exact causes of Asthma are not known. However, it is observed that there is often a history of asthma, eczema or hay fever in the family of the patient. The disease can begin at any age and change over time. Childhood asthma often develops due to pregnant mothers smoking during pregnancy and due to early exposure to smoke.
The most common symptoms of Asthma are shortness of breath, wheezing, stridor i.e. a high pitched sound resulting due to turbulent gas flow in the upper airways, coughing and inability for physical exertion. In some individuals, asthma is characterized by chronic respiratory impairment while in others, it is marked by episodic symptoms that may result from a number of triggering events. Some individuals might show signs of all the symptoms while others might only have a wheeze or cough.
The triggers of Asthma vary from person to person. However, the most common ones are exercise, cold and flu, cigarette smokes, allergens like pollens, moulds, animal hairs and dust mites, aspirin and some blood pressure medications, chemicals and strong smells, temperature and weather changes, food preservatives, food colorings and flavorings, stress, air pollutions etc.
In most cases, physicians diagnose Asthma on the basis of findings in the patient’s medical history. If the patient has suffered from eczema or other allergic conditions in the past, or has a family history of Asthma, then the disease is suspected. In case of adults, measurements of airway functions are possible. A peak flow meter which tests airway restriction is used for looking at both the diurnal variation and any reversibility following inhaled bronchodilator medication in adults. But it is not possible in case of children and hence diagnosis is primarily done on the basis of a careful compilation and analysis of the patient's medical history and subsequent improvement with an inhaled bronchodilator medication.
Asthma is non-curable. But it can be controlled effectively so that the patients can carry out their daily routine without the symptoms causing trouble. It can be effectively controlled in a number of ways. Taking Asthma medications as directed, monitoring the disease, staying active and healthy, avoiding the triggers whenever possible, and regular visits to the doctor help to exert control over this non-curable disease. There are three types of Asthma medications- Preventers, Relievers and Symptom Controllers or long-acting Relievers. Preventers make the airways less sensitive; reduce the redness and swelling and dries up the mucus. These Preventers need a few weeks to prevent the symptoms and need to be continued daily, even when the patient is feeling better. Relievers relax the muscles around the airways, making the airways wider and breathing easier, thus instantly relieving the Asthma symptoms. Symptom controllers or long-acting Relievers help to relax the muscles around the airways for up to 12 hours. These medications are not normally used in asthma first aid treatment.
These Asthma medications can be quite expensive. The disease is non-curable as mentioned earlier and hence it requires a continuous usage of these medications specially Preventers. The best way to obtain these Asthma medications is through a trusted online pharmacy. These pharmacies are not only famous for being cost effective but also for their quality. It is simple to order. Thus it can be concluded that online pharmacy helps the patients to forget worrying about the symptoms and get back to their daily lives.
This article is written by Ronn Jones, a marketing expert with years of experience in branding and internet marketing. Check out more information on online pharmacy aiding Asthma treatments.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
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