Asthma Control Test
This Asthma control test is the most efficient tool to evaluate your control over asthma as determined by the Global Initiative program for asthma (GINA) and by GOAL (Gaining Optimal Asthma Control).
The test consists of 5 questions that will help you evaluate your control over asthma according to the severity of the symptoms.
Just answer these simple questions:
Write down the number for the answer you choose for each question. Answer as honestly as possible. This will help you and your doctor know if your asthma is under control. When you finish answering the questions add the numbers for the answers you chose:
1.In the last 4 weeks, how frequently did your asthma keep you from doing your daily chores?
1 Always
2 Frequently
3 Sometimes
4 Almost never
5 Never
2.In the last 4 weeks, how frequently did you feel you couldn't breathe?
1 More than once a day
2 Once a day
3 Three to six times a day
4 One to two times a week
5 Never
3.In the last 4 weeks, how often did your asthma symptoms, wheezing, coughing, chest pain or other wake you up at night or earlier than usual?
1 Four or more nights a week
2 Two to three nights a week
3 Once a week
4 Once or twice a week
5 Never
4.In the last 4 weeks how often did you use your inhaler or nebulizer?
1 three or more times a day
2 once or twice a day
3 2 or 3 times a day
4 One to four times a week
5 Never
5.How would you rate your asthma control in the last 4 weeks?
1 Not under control
2 Poorly controlled
3 Some control
4 Well controlled
5 Completely under control
In order to know what your answers mean read the following information.
Results 25- Congratulations!
You have reached total control of your asthma in the last 4 weeks. You haven't had symptoms or limitations related to your asthma. Consult your doctor only if you see changes
Results 20-24 Close to your goal
Your asthma could be well under control but not entirely in the last four weeks. Your doctor can help you achieve total control
Results: Less than 20 Far from your goal
Your asthma has not been under control in the last 4 weeks. Your doctor can help you design a plan of action to help you keep your asthma under control
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory pulmonary disorder that is characterized by reversible obstruction of the airways.
Asthma is one of the most common breathing disorders out there. It can be very minor, or very dangerous, depending on the person. Asthma is different for everyone that has it. There are different side effects, and different symptoms, for each and every person that has been diagnosed with this disorder. People, over time, have thought up of myths about asthma. Most of which are untrue by far.
Myth #1:Smoking does not trigger asthma
Indeed It does, smoking is one of the things that can start up asthma and allergies due to all the chemicals and toxins inside cigarettes, and cigars. So if someone in your household, or someone close by to you, has asthma, limit the smoking, or if possible cancel out the smoking from your every day life, it's a lot better for the smoker and the other people being affected.
Myth #2:Asthma can be cured
No, asthma cannot be cured, it's always with you, no matter what. There is no cure, however there is medicine that can help lessen the chance of an asthma attack, and make asthma less hard on you and your body.
Myth #3:Certain dogs are better in a household with people with animals
This is certainly incorrect. Every dog has the same type of saliva, dandruff, and urine. That is what causes allergies, the protiens in those three things from dogs, not the pet hair. So no matter what breed of dog you have, none have different asthma lessoning affects.
Myth #4:You can grow out of asthma
No, you can't grow out of asthma, it's a life-long illness, so it's definitely something that will stick with you through life. Sure, it can become inactive, at any point in time, but it will always still be there. As a matter of fact, about 50% of asthma becomes inactive, if diagnosed as a child. Keep in mind that asthma can reoccur at any time in your adult life, and become active again.
Myth #5: Asthma is an emotional illness
Since asthma is a problem that involves your airways to become harder for the oxygen to get through, its not so much emotional as it is physical. However, emotional stress could make an asthma attack worse.
Unfortunately, these are just five of the many myths and truths about asthma, just think about how much more there are out there.Hopefully just by reading these it will inform you about how serious asthma really is. Even though there are many people diagnosed with asthma, it can still be deadly.
Asthma is one of the most common breathing disorders out there. It can be very minor, or very dangerous, depending on the person. Asthma is different for everyone that has it. There are different side effects, and different symptoms, for each and every person that has been diagnosed with this disorder. People, over time, have thought up of myths about asthma. Most of which are untrue by far.
Myth #1:Smoking does not trigger asthma
Indeed It does, smoking is one of the things that can start up asthma and allergies due to all the chemicals and toxins inside cigarettes, and cigars. So if someone in your household, or someone close by to you, has asthma, limit the smoking, or if possible cancel out the smoking from your every day life, it's a lot better for the smoker and the other people being affected.
Myth #2:Asthma can be cured
No, asthma cannot be cured, it's always with you, no matter what. There is no cure, however there is medicine that can help lessen the chance of an asthma attack, and make asthma less hard on you and your body.
Myth #3:Certain dogs are better in a household with people with animals
This is certainly incorrect. Every dog has the same type of saliva, dandruff, and urine. That is what causes allergies, the protiens in those three things from dogs, not the pet hair. So no matter what breed of dog you have, none have different asthma lessoning affects.
Myth #4:You can grow out of asthma
No, you can't grow out of asthma, it's a life-long illness, so it's definitely something that will stick with you through life. Sure, it can become inactive, at any point in time, but it will always still be there. As a matter of fact, about 50% of asthma becomes inactive, if diagnosed as a child. Keep in mind that asthma can reoccur at any time in your adult life, and become active again.
Myth #5: Asthma is an emotional illness
Since asthma is a problem that involves your airways to become harder for the oxygen to get through, its not so much emotional as it is physical. However, emotional stress could make an asthma attack worse.
Unfortunately, these are just five of the many myths and truths about asthma, just think about how much more there are out there.Hopefully just by reading these it will inform you about how serious asthma really is. Even though there are many people diagnosed with asthma, it can still be deadly.
The pathophysiology of asthma
Asthma is one of the most persistent respiratory diseases, characterised by frequent episodes of cough and breathlessness that may range from mild and tolerable to life threatening in severity. It cannot usually be cured, yet it is possible to live a healthy life by effectively managing it with the help of expert advice, medicines and knowledge.
Knowing about asthma and its pathophysiology, i.e.. how it happens can help patients and their attendants prevent frequent flaring up of asthma
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ASTHMA
Asthma results from a combination of multiple factors. Those which play the most important role in the development of this disease are hypersensitivity or allergy, inflammation of airways, excess secretion of mucus and bronchial spasm.
HYPERSENSITIVITY OF AIRWAYS
Perhaps the most characteristic feature of an asthmatic patient is the hypersensitivity of his smaller airways, also called 'bronchioles' to any irritant. Even in normal people, body has its own ways of responding to an external particle that might reach these airways. However, in case of asthmatics, this reaction of any external particle or irritant is highly exaggerated. So the walls of the bronchioles (airways) respond even to harmless particles in such a way that they lead to cough and suffocation.
On being exposed an irritant, the mucosal surface of the bronchioles reacts very strongly. The 'mast cells' in the epithelium of the mucosa secrete 'lymphokines' and 'cytokines' - substances that attract white blood cells like lymphocytes, eosinophils and macrophages to protect the body from the threat posed by this irritant particle. These cells come and secrete various kinds of enzymes that would usually kill bacteria and protect the body from it. Only in this case, the whole exercise is often futile, as there may not be any threat from this external particle at all.
ALLERGY
Allergy is nothing but the hypersensitivity of the body to certain external material. Many patients of asthma are also allergic to many other things, and this tendency is also seen in their body in other forms. Asthma is often linked with allergy - both having similar pathophysiology.
INFLAMMATION OF AIRWAYS
The response of the airways and attracting lymphocytes and macrophages leads to secretion of digestive enzymes which create 'inflammation' or swelling of the bronchial mucosa. The collection of fluids and enzymes and damaged cells accumulate and are slowly digested by the body with the help of macrophages - all this leads to swelling and thickening of the surface layer of airways.
EXCESS SECRETION OF MUCUS
The excess secretion of mucus results from the irritation caused by the hyper-responsiveness to irritants, and it is the body's attempt to clear the irritant. However, instead of helping in clearing, it actually leads to flooding of airways. Too much of mucus blocks the air passage itself and leads to cough and suffocation.
BRONCHOSPASM
The smaller airways have a thin layer of muscle tissue around them. The irritation of the bronchial mucosa and its hypersensitivity also leads to contraction of this layer of muscles thereby causing a spasm of the airway that makes the blockage of the air passage that much more severe. Bronchospasm makes matters much worse.
PRECIPITATING & TRIGGERING EVENTS
Often an asthmatic attack is triggered by exposure to a substance to which the person is allergic or hypersensitive. Many a times, it may also be triggered off by a respiratory infection or an attack of flu, that leads to bronchial mucosal reaction thereby triggering the whole chain of events that results in blocking of the air passages. Other factors that can contribute include smoking, air pollution and excessive weight.
SUMMARY
Thus, asthma results from a complex mechanism that involves a defect in body's response to external material as well as the presence of a trigger. Genetic factors play an important role, as there is a genetic predisposition for allergies that makes many patients of asthma vulnerable. At the same time, knowing how asthma actually happens can help one deal with it in a more realistic way and also take the necessary precautions like avoiding triggers of allergy and infection that can precipitate asthma.
Knowing about asthma and its pathophysiology, i.e.. how it happens can help patients and their attendants prevent frequent flaring up of asthma
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ASTHMA
Asthma results from a combination of multiple factors. Those which play the most important role in the development of this disease are hypersensitivity or allergy, inflammation of airways, excess secretion of mucus and bronchial spasm.
HYPERSENSITIVITY OF AIRWAYS
Perhaps the most characteristic feature of an asthmatic patient is the hypersensitivity of his smaller airways, also called 'bronchioles' to any irritant. Even in normal people, body has its own ways of responding to an external particle that might reach these airways. However, in case of asthmatics, this reaction of any external particle or irritant is highly exaggerated. So the walls of the bronchioles (airways) respond even to harmless particles in such a way that they lead to cough and suffocation.
On being exposed an irritant, the mucosal surface of the bronchioles reacts very strongly. The 'mast cells' in the epithelium of the mucosa secrete 'lymphokines' and 'cytokines' - substances that attract white blood cells like lymphocytes, eosinophils and macrophages to protect the body from the threat posed by this irritant particle. These cells come and secrete various kinds of enzymes that would usually kill bacteria and protect the body from it. Only in this case, the whole exercise is often futile, as there may not be any threat from this external particle at all.
ALLERGY
Allergy is nothing but the hypersensitivity of the body to certain external material. Many patients of asthma are also allergic to many other things, and this tendency is also seen in their body in other forms. Asthma is often linked with allergy - both having similar pathophysiology.
INFLAMMATION OF AIRWAYS
The response of the airways and attracting lymphocytes and macrophages leads to secretion of digestive enzymes which create 'inflammation' or swelling of the bronchial mucosa. The collection of fluids and enzymes and damaged cells accumulate and are slowly digested by the body with the help of macrophages - all this leads to swelling and thickening of the surface layer of airways.
EXCESS SECRETION OF MUCUS
The excess secretion of mucus results from the irritation caused by the hyper-responsiveness to irritants, and it is the body's attempt to clear the irritant. However, instead of helping in clearing, it actually leads to flooding of airways. Too much of mucus blocks the air passage itself and leads to cough and suffocation.
BRONCHOSPASM
The smaller airways have a thin layer of muscle tissue around them. The irritation of the bronchial mucosa and its hypersensitivity also leads to contraction of this layer of muscles thereby causing a spasm of the airway that makes the blockage of the air passage that much more severe. Bronchospasm makes matters much worse.
PRECIPITATING & TRIGGERING EVENTS
Often an asthmatic attack is triggered by exposure to a substance to which the person is allergic or hypersensitive. Many a times, it may also be triggered off by a respiratory infection or an attack of flu, that leads to bronchial mucosal reaction thereby triggering the whole chain of events that results in blocking of the air passages. Other factors that can contribute include smoking, air pollution and excessive weight.
SUMMARY
Thus, asthma results from a complex mechanism that involves a defect in body's response to external material as well as the presence of a trigger. Genetic factors play an important role, as there is a genetic predisposition for allergies that makes many patients of asthma vulnerable. At the same time, knowing how asthma actually happens can help one deal with it in a more realistic way and also take the necessary precautions like avoiding triggers of allergy and infection that can precipitate asthma.
How to tell if my asthma is getting worse
How to tell if my asthma is getting worse is something every asthmatic probably wonders about.
The first thing to know is when your asthma is getting worse you will have more coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing in general. If this happens on a regular basis you should be seen by your doctor and given a cortsteriod medication that will help keep your airways open for 12 hours. If taking a cortsteriod and your symptoms are still recurring, then you should have a peak flow meter.
A peak flow meter is an invaluable tool for asthmatics, it will help you know how your breathing is and if your asthma is getting worse. It measures the air flow forced into it. As you record your measurements you will know where to set the 3 bars on it, a green, yellow and red. When your measurement is in the green zone you are breathing at your best. Yellow is a caution zone, it means you should take measures like using your inhaler or nebulizer to help you breathe better. The red zone is your danger zone and if you have used your inhaler and nebulizer are having real trouble breathing then you need to seek medical help immediately. If you are in the yellow zone and you cannot get relief you should also seek medical help immediately. It is too easy to go from one zone to another and it happens fast that ones life can be in danger, so if you feel you have done all you can to breathe, get to the emergency room fast.
It is important to remember asthma is a killer, too many people I know have died because of an asthma attack not to take the signs of it getting worse seriously.
Besides a peak flow meter, you should be in touch with your body, know when you feel you are straining to breathe, or if you are wheezing, coughing more than you normally are for these are signs your asthma is getting worse.
Breathlessness, having trouble breathing when exercising, walking or daily chores are signs also your asthma is not controlled or getting worse. Along with headaches, dizziness and sometimes chest pains in the bronchial area are signs of worsening asthma. These signs should not be overlooked but paid attention to.
Mucous congestion being coughed up, is a sign your airways are plugged up and the body is getting rid of, so it is also a sign of your asthma getting worse. Drinking plenty of water will help thin the congestion making it easier for the body to cough it up. A vaporizer or a steam unit will also help clear up that congestion and tightness in the chest you may feel because of it.
It is important to discuss with your doctor how to know when your asthma is taking a turn for the worse so you will know what to expect and what you need to do for yourself when it does begin to get worse.
Staying calm during an asthma attack is important, the more one tenses up the harder it is to breathe so reamain calm, breathe through your mouth with your lips pursed this will help you breathe better and calm yourself.
The first thing to know is when your asthma is getting worse you will have more coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing in general. If this happens on a regular basis you should be seen by your doctor and given a cortsteriod medication that will help keep your airways open for 12 hours. If taking a cortsteriod and your symptoms are still recurring, then you should have a peak flow meter.
A peak flow meter is an invaluable tool for asthmatics, it will help you know how your breathing is and if your asthma is getting worse. It measures the air flow forced into it. As you record your measurements you will know where to set the 3 bars on it, a green, yellow and red. When your measurement is in the green zone you are breathing at your best. Yellow is a caution zone, it means you should take measures like using your inhaler or nebulizer to help you breathe better. The red zone is your danger zone and if you have used your inhaler and nebulizer are having real trouble breathing then you need to seek medical help immediately. If you are in the yellow zone and you cannot get relief you should also seek medical help immediately. It is too easy to go from one zone to another and it happens fast that ones life can be in danger, so if you feel you have done all you can to breathe, get to the emergency room fast.
It is important to remember asthma is a killer, too many people I know have died because of an asthma attack not to take the signs of it getting worse seriously.
Besides a peak flow meter, you should be in touch with your body, know when you feel you are straining to breathe, or if you are wheezing, coughing more than you normally are for these are signs your asthma is getting worse.
Breathlessness, having trouble breathing when exercising, walking or daily chores are signs also your asthma is not controlled or getting worse. Along with headaches, dizziness and sometimes chest pains in the bronchial area are signs of worsening asthma. These signs should not be overlooked but paid attention to.
Mucous congestion being coughed up, is a sign your airways are plugged up and the body is getting rid of, so it is also a sign of your asthma getting worse. Drinking plenty of water will help thin the congestion making it easier for the body to cough it up. A vaporizer or a steam unit will also help clear up that congestion and tightness in the chest you may feel because of it.
It is important to discuss with your doctor how to know when your asthma is taking a turn for the worse so you will know what to expect and what you need to do for yourself when it does begin to get worse.
Staying calm during an asthma attack is important, the more one tenses up the harder it is to breathe so reamain calm, breathe through your mouth with your lips pursed this will help you breathe better and calm yourself.
The epidemiology of asthma
Epidemiology, "the study of the distribution and determinants of disease frequency" (Hennekens, C. 1987: 3), encompasses three major components that are vital to the understanding of any medical condition. These three major components distribution, determinants and frequency emphasise that within the population, disease do not occur at random and they have causal and preventive factors that can be identified (Hennekens, C. 1987: 3). This is vital in the study of asthma.
Asthma, by definition, is "a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder characterized by hyperactive airways, leading to episodic, reversible bronchoconstriction, owing to increased responsiveness of the trancheobronchial tree to various stimuli" (Cotran, R. 1999: 712). As one of the top national health priority areas, there has been much advances in our current understanding of asthma. However, there is still much we don't know. For instance, despite the definition above, it has been long debated that asthma is a syndrome as opposed to a disease, meaning that it is actually a group of disorders. Furthermore, although treatments such as inhalers are available, medical professionals have yet to discover a cure for asthma. Thus, in order to further our understanding of asthma, it is important to first examine the epidemiology of asthma.
As the majority of the population would know, asthma is a very common disease, particularly in childhood, creating a massive burden on a country's health system. However, if one requests statistics to discuss the epidemiology of asthma, it is rather difficult to arrive at a concrete number as the identification of patients suffering from asthma is rather ambiguous. Firstly, while it is easy to determine that a child frequently suffering from wheezes and constantly requires hospitalisation as an asthmatic, the majority of the cases lie between the two extremes. In comparing the prevalence of asthma between countries, research is often conducted with the definition being "recent wheezes" (Jalaludin, B.B. 2001: 110). It is with this definition in mind as we examine the epidemiology of asthma.
The International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood discover that the highest prevalence of wheezes, at approximately 30%, within children is in developed nations such as the United Kingdom, United States, Australia,
Ireland and New Zealand. On the other side of the spectrum, countries with the lowest prevalence of wheezes are in developing nations such as China
and India. This finding has prompted scientists to propose the hygiene hypothesis which proposes that children growing up in a clean environment without exposure to environmental allergens are more likely to develop asthma than kids growing up in a "dirtier" environment.
Recent trends have shown a growing rise in the incidence of asthma over the past decade or so. A close examination on Victoria, for example, shows an increase of 141% of the last 26 years (Jalaludin, B.B.). Similar trends are seen in other developed nations. Although the prevalence of asthma in on the increase, the number of deaths each year contributed to asthma has fallen as scientists develop a better understanding of the condition. They've found out that although bronchodilators, such as salbutamol, should be used during an asthma attack, it is vital for the patient's health to continually and periodically use glucocorticosteroids as a preventive therapy. This discovery has managed to reduce the number of deaths by up to 80%.
In conclusion, examination of the epidemiology of asthma reveals many correlations between the disease itself and its various possible causes, some still yet to be explored. While some findings such as the hygiene hypothesis are merely hypotheses that require further research and understanding, other discoveries have led to monumental improvements in the current treatment for asthma. Thus, while the epidemiology of asthma seems at times to be only a bunch of numbers, it is important for asthma research.
Asthma, by definition, is "a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder characterized by hyperactive airways, leading to episodic, reversible bronchoconstriction, owing to increased responsiveness of the trancheobronchial tree to various stimuli" (Cotran, R. 1999: 712). As one of the top national health priority areas, there has been much advances in our current understanding of asthma. However, there is still much we don't know. For instance, despite the definition above, it has been long debated that asthma is a syndrome as opposed to a disease, meaning that it is actually a group of disorders. Furthermore, although treatments such as inhalers are available, medical professionals have yet to discover a cure for asthma. Thus, in order to further our understanding of asthma, it is important to first examine the epidemiology of asthma.
As the majority of the population would know, asthma is a very common disease, particularly in childhood, creating a massive burden on a country's health system. However, if one requests statistics to discuss the epidemiology of asthma, it is rather difficult to arrive at a concrete number as the identification of patients suffering from asthma is rather ambiguous. Firstly, while it is easy to determine that a child frequently suffering from wheezes and constantly requires hospitalisation as an asthmatic, the majority of the cases lie between the two extremes. In comparing the prevalence of asthma between countries, research is often conducted with the definition being "recent wheezes" (Jalaludin, B.B. 2001: 110). It is with this definition in mind as we examine the epidemiology of asthma.
The International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood discover that the highest prevalence of wheezes, at approximately 30%, within children is in developed nations such as the United Kingdom, United States, Australia,
Ireland and New Zealand. On the other side of the spectrum, countries with the lowest prevalence of wheezes are in developing nations such as China
and India. This finding has prompted scientists to propose the hygiene hypothesis which proposes that children growing up in a clean environment without exposure to environmental allergens are more likely to develop asthma than kids growing up in a "dirtier" environment.
Recent trends have shown a growing rise in the incidence of asthma over the past decade or so. A close examination on Victoria, for example, shows an increase of 141% of the last 26 years (Jalaludin, B.B.). Similar trends are seen in other developed nations. Although the prevalence of asthma in on the increase, the number of deaths each year contributed to asthma has fallen as scientists develop a better understanding of the condition. They've found out that although bronchodilators, such as salbutamol, should be used during an asthma attack, it is vital for the patient's health to continually and periodically use glucocorticosteroids as a preventive therapy. This discovery has managed to reduce the number of deaths by up to 80%.
In conclusion, examination of the epidemiology of asthma reveals many correlations between the disease itself and its various possible causes, some still yet to be explored. While some findings such as the hygiene hypothesis are merely hypotheses that require further research and understanding, other discoveries have led to monumental improvements in the current treatment for asthma. Thus, while the epidemiology of asthma seems at times to be only a bunch of numbers, it is important for asthma research.
What is an asthma attack?
An asthma attack is where muscles around the airways tighten up and make them narrower than normal, prohibiting air to flow through. The victim struggles to breathe and could require emergency medical assistance.
What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the walls of the airways, which are the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. These walls remain inflamed, swollen and very sensitive, and react intensely to things that the person could be allergic to.
When the airways react, they swell more and become narrow which allows less airflow to and from the lungs. If you know someone who has asthma you'll be familiar with their wheezing or whistling sounds they make when they breathe.
Under attack, the person will begin to cough and get a tightening in their chest as they struggle to breathe. Night and morning air is especially difficult for them.
Most asthma patients can control the disease through medication, and can have long and otherwise healthy lives. However, they still live in fear of unexpected changes that can bring on a deadly attack which will suddenly cause the airway muscles to become so tight that they struggle to breathe.
The inflamed walls of the airways swell even more making breathing almost impossible. And at that point, cells in the airways often produce extra mucus to aid in the breathing, but this actually causes the airways to become even narrower.
The greatest danger that these attacks bring on is the inability to reduce the swelling in time to allow the person to breathe again. The severity level of the attack can vary in its strength, as some attacks are worse than others.
Often the person or the caregiver of the person will recognize the symptoms before it gets to the dangerous level and will use the inhaler, which relaxes the muscles making the airway wider so the person can breathe again.
But in some instances, the person cannot get to their inhaler in time or the attack comes on so fast that their airways close very quickly and won't allow any oxygen in at all. The person cannot breathe and without their medical inhaler, they require immediate emergency medical assistance, otherwise they will die.
Anyone suspecting that they have asthma should see their doctor right away and not take any chances because this disease does not get better, and to date there is no cure for it. The doctor will prescribe medication that will help to keep the asthma under control.
Patients learn what to do in case of attacks and as well, how to prevent attacks by avoiding certain things and learning the signs and symptoms of oncoming attacks. Most people are able to monitor their asthma and live relatively normal lives. These patients, however, have learned to respect the disease and live prepared for an attack.
What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the walls of the airways, which are the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. These walls remain inflamed, swollen and very sensitive, and react intensely to things that the person could be allergic to.
When the airways react, they swell more and become narrow which allows less airflow to and from the lungs. If you know someone who has asthma you'll be familiar with their wheezing or whistling sounds they make when they breathe.
Under attack, the person will begin to cough and get a tightening in their chest as they struggle to breathe. Night and morning air is especially difficult for them.
Most asthma patients can control the disease through medication, and can have long and otherwise healthy lives. However, they still live in fear of unexpected changes that can bring on a deadly attack which will suddenly cause the airway muscles to become so tight that they struggle to breathe.
The inflamed walls of the airways swell even more making breathing almost impossible. And at that point, cells in the airways often produce extra mucus to aid in the breathing, but this actually causes the airways to become even narrower.
The greatest danger that these attacks bring on is the inability to reduce the swelling in time to allow the person to breathe again. The severity level of the attack can vary in its strength, as some attacks are worse than others.
Often the person or the caregiver of the person will recognize the symptoms before it gets to the dangerous level and will use the inhaler, which relaxes the muscles making the airway wider so the person can breathe again.
But in some instances, the person cannot get to their inhaler in time or the attack comes on so fast that their airways close very quickly and won't allow any oxygen in at all. The person cannot breathe and without their medical inhaler, they require immediate emergency medical assistance, otherwise they will die.
Anyone suspecting that they have asthma should see their doctor right away and not take any chances because this disease does not get better, and to date there is no cure for it. The doctor will prescribe medication that will help to keep the asthma under control.
Patients learn what to do in case of attacks and as well, how to prevent attacks by avoiding certain things and learning the signs and symptoms of oncoming attacks. Most people are able to monitor their asthma and live relatively normal lives. These patients, however, have learned to respect the disease and live prepared for an attack.
How to tell if your child has asthma
It's three a.m. and you are listening to your daughter coughing in her room. She's been up all night and neither of you have gotten any sleep. This is the third time she's had bronchitis already this year. And, even when the antibiotics wear off, you know she'll still cough at night, after she plays at the park. What should you do?
Bring it up to her doctor. Nearly 9 million children have asthma, an inflammatory condition of the bronchial airways that causes normal functions to become excessive and over-reactive. This makes airways smaller and causes them to produce extra mucus, making airflow more difficult. But, as a parent, what symptoms can you watch for and how early can you really tell that asthma is setting in?
FREQUENT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
Children who have asthma often have a weakened immune system and their lungs cannot handle even the smallest invading bugs, like colds and coughs. Asthma sufferers will frequently find themselves in the doctor's office more than their friends, being diagnosed with bronchitis or even pneumonia. It isn't at all uncommon for a child with asthma to have these illnesses a few times a year. If it seems like your child is always fighting off a cold or the flu or something more serious, requiring antibiotics, it might be time for your doctor to look a little deeper.
COUGHING
Coughing is usually the first indicator of asthma. Crying, stress, or exertion like exercise exacerbates coughs in asthma sufferers. Coughing can be especially bad at night when your child tries to relax for the night. Your child may also begin complaining of fatigue. You may not realize why for quite some time, but usually it is because the nighttime coughing of undiagnosed and untreated asthmatics can greatly disrupt their sleep.
WHEEZING AND CHEST TIGHTNESS
Wheezing, a high pitched whistling sound that is made as air tries to pass through the tiny passage of a constricted airway sounds frightening to a parent. It can sound like your child is gasping for air, and they are. It is often not the first sign of asthma, but it is something to watch for. Children may also complain of chest tightness or like their is a weight on their chest, or even like there is something sitting on them. Depending on the age of the child, they may use different words, maybe thinking that their clothes are always too tight on top.
ASTHMA ATTACK OR SUDDEN ONSET
When the symptoms of your child's asthma compound or become acute suddenly or become triggered by a combination of or overabundance of a certain trigger in their environment, your child may have a sudden and violent display of asthma symptoms, resulting in their inability to breathe. Every child's triggers will vary but common ones include airborne allergens like mold, dust or pollen. They will likely panic and be very scared if this happens to them without any warning. Having a full-blown asthma attack is a very clear and obvious sign that your child is suffering from asthma and will obviously need to be brought up to your child's pediatrician. But, the primary task at hand will be to get them emergency medical attention through your closest emergency department and to help them remain calm. Stress and fear will cause their symptoms to accelerate.
WHAT ABOUT BABIES?
In children that are too young to speak, like infants, it's possible to spot some early indicators as well. In addition to shortness of breath, you may notice a softer, shorter cry; rapid, noisy breathing; a sucked in looking chest (between the ribs at the front of the neck); and difficulty feeding. A baby who has trouble breathing will have trouble eating and breathing at the same time and will therefore be a fussy eater.
Every mother has watched the rapid and odd breathing patterns of their newborn and been awed at what is normal for them, how quickly and erratically they breathe. A normal newborn's respiratory rate is about 40 times per minute. Adults typically breathe between 12-20 times per minute. So, try not to panic too much as you watch your baby breathe heavily. They may not be as short of breath as you think they are.
If you notice that your child has only one or two of these symptoms, it isn't likely that he or she has asthma. But, if they are piling up, it is a good idea to run it by your doctor. If he or she is suffering from asthma, it is a condition that does not have a cure, but can be controlled through a variety of medications and through controlling environmental triggers that aggravate your child's condition. Watch for the combination of symptoms and talk to your doctor.
Bring it up to her doctor. Nearly 9 million children have asthma, an inflammatory condition of the bronchial airways that causes normal functions to become excessive and over-reactive. This makes airways smaller and causes them to produce extra mucus, making airflow more difficult. But, as a parent, what symptoms can you watch for and how early can you really tell that asthma is setting in?
FREQUENT RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
Children who have asthma often have a weakened immune system and their lungs cannot handle even the smallest invading bugs, like colds and coughs. Asthma sufferers will frequently find themselves in the doctor's office more than their friends, being diagnosed with bronchitis or even pneumonia. It isn't at all uncommon for a child with asthma to have these illnesses a few times a year. If it seems like your child is always fighting off a cold or the flu or something more serious, requiring antibiotics, it might be time for your doctor to look a little deeper.
COUGHING
Coughing is usually the first indicator of asthma. Crying, stress, or exertion like exercise exacerbates coughs in asthma sufferers. Coughing can be especially bad at night when your child tries to relax for the night. Your child may also begin complaining of fatigue. You may not realize why for quite some time, but usually it is because the nighttime coughing of undiagnosed and untreated asthmatics can greatly disrupt their sleep.
WHEEZING AND CHEST TIGHTNESS
Wheezing, a high pitched whistling sound that is made as air tries to pass through the tiny passage of a constricted airway sounds frightening to a parent. It can sound like your child is gasping for air, and they are. It is often not the first sign of asthma, but it is something to watch for. Children may also complain of chest tightness or like their is a weight on their chest, or even like there is something sitting on them. Depending on the age of the child, they may use different words, maybe thinking that their clothes are always too tight on top.
ASTHMA ATTACK OR SUDDEN ONSET
When the symptoms of your child's asthma compound or become acute suddenly or become triggered by a combination of or overabundance of a certain trigger in their environment, your child may have a sudden and violent display of asthma symptoms, resulting in their inability to breathe. Every child's triggers will vary but common ones include airborne allergens like mold, dust or pollen. They will likely panic and be very scared if this happens to them without any warning. Having a full-blown asthma attack is a very clear and obvious sign that your child is suffering from asthma and will obviously need to be brought up to your child's pediatrician. But, the primary task at hand will be to get them emergency medical attention through your closest emergency department and to help them remain calm. Stress and fear will cause their symptoms to accelerate.
WHAT ABOUT BABIES?
In children that are too young to speak, like infants, it's possible to spot some early indicators as well. In addition to shortness of breath, you may notice a softer, shorter cry; rapid, noisy breathing; a sucked in looking chest (between the ribs at the front of the neck); and difficulty feeding. A baby who has trouble breathing will have trouble eating and breathing at the same time and will therefore be a fussy eater.
Every mother has watched the rapid and odd breathing patterns of their newborn and been awed at what is normal for them, how quickly and erratically they breathe. A normal newborn's respiratory rate is about 40 times per minute. Adults typically breathe between 12-20 times per minute. So, try not to panic too much as you watch your baby breathe heavily. They may not be as short of breath as you think they are.
If you notice that your child has only one or two of these symptoms, it isn't likely that he or she has asthma. But, if they are piling up, it is a good idea to run it by your doctor. If he or she is suffering from asthma, it is a condition that does not have a cure, but can be controlled through a variety of medications and through controlling environmental triggers that aggravate your child's condition. Watch for the combination of symptoms and talk to your doctor.
How to control my asthma
I've lived with asthma for longer than I can remember, and even though it has abated to a degree the pesky debilitation is still hanging in there. After at leats two decades of dealing with it, however, I've learned that there are certain ways of not only controlling my asthma, but making sure that it doesn't kick in in the first place.
I can always tell when an asthma attack is imminent. I'm sure just about any sufferer can: the chest starts to tighten, breathing becomes more restrictive and your energy level drops to near zero. How and when the asthma invades my day varies with the circumstances - sometimes a massive influx of dust does the duty, sometimes it's an over-exposure to smoke or other, more natural inhalants, and sometimes it's just from an excess of activity. Pushing one's lungs to work harder than they're capable is a sure path to the hyperventilation that causes asthma attacks.
Normally sufferers run right for their puffers. Can't say I blame them: that was my knee-jerk reaction, too, and when I get really bad it's still the best option. Yet I try to limit my inhaler usage whenever possible, as there are lots of alternatives, many of which can be employed as soon as you feel the attack coming on.
Usually the best defense is to STOP WHATEVER'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM! Seems simple enough, but you'd be surprised how stubborn some people can be. If you're out for an intensive jog and your breathing's getting more ragged than usual, give it a rest for a while. A bit of wounded pride at having to stop short is better than dragging yourself home sounding like a rusted door hinge. And, if it's the environment that's hitting you hard, move somewhere else. I've stopped being polite about not offending people, especially around smokers. If you're making me wheeze I'll part company with you.
Sometimes, though, the attack is inevitable, and though the puffer is usually an option I find it isn't always. In these cases, deep breathing is the path to respiratory freedom. Slow yourself down, take a seat and take some nice, deep breaths. Try to get yourself in a rhythm, concentrating more on the act of breathing than the tightness in your chest. Soon enough, that tightness will be gone, or at least have eased up enough that you can continue about your day at a slower pace.
Asthma is an ever-present aggravation. But it need not control your life, and with some willpower and a bit of judicious logic you can avoid being plagued by constant attacks.
I can always tell when an asthma attack is imminent. I'm sure just about any sufferer can: the chest starts to tighten, breathing becomes more restrictive and your energy level drops to near zero. How and when the asthma invades my day varies with the circumstances - sometimes a massive influx of dust does the duty, sometimes it's an over-exposure to smoke or other, more natural inhalants, and sometimes it's just from an excess of activity. Pushing one's lungs to work harder than they're capable is a sure path to the hyperventilation that causes asthma attacks.
Normally sufferers run right for their puffers. Can't say I blame them: that was my knee-jerk reaction, too, and when I get really bad it's still the best option. Yet I try to limit my inhaler usage whenever possible, as there are lots of alternatives, many of which can be employed as soon as you feel the attack coming on.
Usually the best defense is to STOP WHATEVER'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM! Seems simple enough, but you'd be surprised how stubborn some people can be. If you're out for an intensive jog and your breathing's getting more ragged than usual, give it a rest for a while. A bit of wounded pride at having to stop short is better than dragging yourself home sounding like a rusted door hinge. And, if it's the environment that's hitting you hard, move somewhere else. I've stopped being polite about not offending people, especially around smokers. If you're making me wheeze I'll part company with you.
Sometimes, though, the attack is inevitable, and though the puffer is usually an option I find it isn't always. In these cases, deep breathing is the path to respiratory freedom. Slow yourself down, take a seat and take some nice, deep breaths. Try to get yourself in a rhythm, concentrating more on the act of breathing than the tightness in your chest. Soon enough, that tightness will be gone, or at least have eased up enough that you can continue about your day at a slower pace.
Asthma is an ever-present aggravation. But it need not control your life, and with some willpower and a bit of judicious logic you can avoid being plagued by constant attacks.
How to help a child with asthma
Asthma is one of the top 10 chronic illnesses and nearly one third of the 26 million people diagnosed with it are under the age of 18. The reality of having to help children deal with the prospect of a lifelong battle with asthma is an unfortunate fact. While children are resilient, they can have a hard time accepting the fact that they have to alter their lives to accommodate this condition.
For the onset of asthma in young children, explanation of the condition can be helpful. Using terms that they understand is key. Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the bronchial airways that causes normal function to become excessive and over-reactive, causing extra mucus production and narrowing of the airways. They are not likely to understand this explanation and are only going to understand that they have trouble breathing when they play soccer, that they have to sit out a few rounds of dodge ball in gym glass, that they cough at night or that they seem to get sick a lot. It's your job to explain what's really happening in their little bodies and how to manage their symptoms so that they can lead full and happy lives in harmony with their conditions.
To help you, there are a handful of books out there written for children. I'm Tougher Than Asthma by Alan Carter and Alan Siri, Winning over Asthma by Eileen Dolan and The ABCs of Asthma by Kim Gosselin are good places to start. Another option is a book and companion workbook written by Shawn McCormick, a respiratory therapist and Ginny Trevino, a health care administrator. The series is called Zoey and the Zones, A Story for Children with Asthma (and Companion Workbook). A quick search online or at your local bookseller should dig up these books for you.
The next step in helping your child manage his or her asthma is helping him or her manage the symptoms. Symptoms are managed primarily through two means: medication and managing triggers. Until your child is old enough to help you with this, you will be the administrator of both of these management tactics.
For medication, you will have to be the advocate for your child at the doctor's office. That means you will have to be well versed on what medications are available to your child and how he or she is responding to treatment. Know what side effects he or she is having and how well managed his or her condition seems to be as a result of the medication he or she has been prescribed. Know that if he or she is still having recurrent asthma attacks that it is likely an indication that the medication regiment that he or she is on is not appropriate for her asthma. Remember that the goal of medication is to control asthma on as little as possible.
Medication is divided into two categories: bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory. Bronchodilators open the longs and help ease breathing to ease symptoms. They come in short and long acting. Anti-inflammatory drugs prevent airways from becoming swollen and may decrease mucus and have to be taken on a regular schedule. You and your child's doctor will work together to figure out what medications are best for your child. Side effects for each can vary widely from cardiovascular symptoms like increased heart rate, palpations and irregular heartbeat to other symptoms like nervousness, sleeplessness, headache, nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, tremor, shaking and restlessness.
Controlling triggers is the other way to help your child with his or her asthma. Your child relies on you to provide them with a safe and healthy environment and keeping your home as free of triggers that aggravate their asthma is something you need to do for them. Common household triggers are dust, animals, airborne irritants, mold and allergens. They can all be controlled and kept to a minimum with a little extra care on your part.
Dust is composed primarily of dust mites and their body parts. You can help control their effect on your child by helping to minimize where they live in your home. Eliminate as many rugs, carpets and drapes as you can. Keep dust-collecting knick-knacks to a minimum and dust what you do have regularly. Keep your home dusted and vacuumed, but do so when your asthmatic child is not around, because you'll be throwing particles into the air for them to inhale. Change your air filters on the air conditioner and furnace regularly and keep the relative humidity in your home at or below 50%, giving the little mites little moisture to survive.
Animals are a common trigger, surprisingly not because of their hair, but because of the dander that they shed on their skin. Try not to own pets. But, if you do own pets, try to keep them limited to certain rooms of the house so that your asthmatic child has some "safe" clean rooms to go to, especially their own bedroom. Bathe your pets often, so their skin is as clean as possible. If you do not have pets, keep visits to homes that do have pets as short as possible and leave when you notice your child beginning to show symptoms.
Airborne irritants can range from room deodorizers, perfumes, cleaning supplies and cigarette smoke. Figure out what irritants trigger your child's symptoms and avoid them. Cigarette smoke is a universal. If you smoke, stop. Second-hand smoke is equally as bad. Help keep your child away from it. Use hypoallergenic cleaning supplies when you can and if you need to, clean when your child is away from home.
Mold in your home is a gross idea, but you probably have some and if you do, it can trigger your child's asthma symptoms. It can lurk in damp basements or around sinks and on damp bathroom floors, anywhere it's dark and there's moisture. Think about places like under your laundry room sink or under your kitchen sink or in poorly ventilated areas of your house, like closets. Mold is common in like damp towels, potted plants, humidifiers, vaporizers and refrigerators. Preventing the growth of mold in the first place is the key to keeping it under control, but using a fungicide or a bleach solution may be necessary.
Outdoor allergens are likely out of your control, but you can do your part to help your child manage his or her symptoms based on your area. Every area of the country has their own batch of allergens based on the time of year. Ragweed, pollen, outdoor mold, and more all flower and spore at different times of the year and even at different times of the day. Become an expert on your area and know when to let your child out to play or even when to open the windows in your house, if at all. Teach your child.
If you teach your child how best to manage his or her life around asthma, it will be easier to life symptom-free. The fewer symptoms that he or she experiences, the more comfortable he or she will be with having asthma and the more confident he or she will be growing up with asthma and managing it on his or her own into adulthood.
For the onset of asthma in young children, explanation of the condition can be helpful. Using terms that they understand is key. Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the bronchial airways that causes normal function to become excessive and over-reactive, causing extra mucus production and narrowing of the airways. They are not likely to understand this explanation and are only going to understand that they have trouble breathing when they play soccer, that they have to sit out a few rounds of dodge ball in gym glass, that they cough at night or that they seem to get sick a lot. It's your job to explain what's really happening in their little bodies and how to manage their symptoms so that they can lead full and happy lives in harmony with their conditions.
To help you, there are a handful of books out there written for children. I'm Tougher Than Asthma by Alan Carter and Alan Siri, Winning over Asthma by Eileen Dolan and The ABCs of Asthma by Kim Gosselin are good places to start. Another option is a book and companion workbook written by Shawn McCormick, a respiratory therapist and Ginny Trevino, a health care administrator. The series is called Zoey and the Zones, A Story for Children with Asthma (and Companion Workbook). A quick search online or at your local bookseller should dig up these books for you.
The next step in helping your child manage his or her asthma is helping him or her manage the symptoms. Symptoms are managed primarily through two means: medication and managing triggers. Until your child is old enough to help you with this, you will be the administrator of both of these management tactics.
For medication, you will have to be the advocate for your child at the doctor's office. That means you will have to be well versed on what medications are available to your child and how he or she is responding to treatment. Know what side effects he or she is having and how well managed his or her condition seems to be as a result of the medication he or she has been prescribed. Know that if he or she is still having recurrent asthma attacks that it is likely an indication that the medication regiment that he or she is on is not appropriate for her asthma. Remember that the goal of medication is to control asthma on as little as possible.
Medication is divided into two categories: bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory. Bronchodilators open the longs and help ease breathing to ease symptoms. They come in short and long acting. Anti-inflammatory drugs prevent airways from becoming swollen and may decrease mucus and have to be taken on a regular schedule. You and your child's doctor will work together to figure out what medications are best for your child. Side effects for each can vary widely from cardiovascular symptoms like increased heart rate, palpations and irregular heartbeat to other symptoms like nervousness, sleeplessness, headache, nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, tremor, shaking and restlessness.
Controlling triggers is the other way to help your child with his or her asthma. Your child relies on you to provide them with a safe and healthy environment and keeping your home as free of triggers that aggravate their asthma is something you need to do for them. Common household triggers are dust, animals, airborne irritants, mold and allergens. They can all be controlled and kept to a minimum with a little extra care on your part.
Dust is composed primarily of dust mites and their body parts. You can help control their effect on your child by helping to minimize where they live in your home. Eliminate as many rugs, carpets and drapes as you can. Keep dust-collecting knick-knacks to a minimum and dust what you do have regularly. Keep your home dusted and vacuumed, but do so when your asthmatic child is not around, because you'll be throwing particles into the air for them to inhale. Change your air filters on the air conditioner and furnace regularly and keep the relative humidity in your home at or below 50%, giving the little mites little moisture to survive.
Animals are a common trigger, surprisingly not because of their hair, but because of the dander that they shed on their skin. Try not to own pets. But, if you do own pets, try to keep them limited to certain rooms of the house so that your asthmatic child has some "safe" clean rooms to go to, especially their own bedroom. Bathe your pets often, so their skin is as clean as possible. If you do not have pets, keep visits to homes that do have pets as short as possible and leave when you notice your child beginning to show symptoms.
Airborne irritants can range from room deodorizers, perfumes, cleaning supplies and cigarette smoke. Figure out what irritants trigger your child's symptoms and avoid them. Cigarette smoke is a universal. If you smoke, stop. Second-hand smoke is equally as bad. Help keep your child away from it. Use hypoallergenic cleaning supplies when you can and if you need to, clean when your child is away from home.
Mold in your home is a gross idea, but you probably have some and if you do, it can trigger your child's asthma symptoms. It can lurk in damp basements or around sinks and on damp bathroom floors, anywhere it's dark and there's moisture. Think about places like under your laundry room sink or under your kitchen sink or in poorly ventilated areas of your house, like closets. Mold is common in like damp towels, potted plants, humidifiers, vaporizers and refrigerators. Preventing the growth of mold in the first place is the key to keeping it under control, but using a fungicide or a bleach solution may be necessary.
Outdoor allergens are likely out of your control, but you can do your part to help your child manage his or her symptoms based on your area. Every area of the country has their own batch of allergens based on the time of year. Ragweed, pollen, outdoor mold, and more all flower and spore at different times of the year and even at different times of the day. Become an expert on your area and know when to let your child out to play or even when to open the windows in your house, if at all. Teach your child.
If you teach your child how best to manage his or her life around asthma, it will be easier to life symptom-free. The fewer symptoms that he or she experiences, the more comfortable he or she will be with having asthma and the more confident he or she will be growing up with asthma and managing it on his or her own into adulthood.
Asthma and denial
Your behavior is influenced by individual perceptions of situations and/or events. But in the case of asthma, your perceptions could be misleading you. Your asthma may, in fact, be worse than you acknowledge. This is the case for many people with asthma. They are simply in denial about how ill they really are.
Update Your Expectations and Goals for Controlled Asthma
So just what is controlled asthma and what goals and expectations should you set for yourself? If asthma is under control, you should be able to:
-Remain free of asthma symptoms both day and night.
-You should be able to sleep through the night without disturbances due to asthma symptoms.
-Maintain normal activity levels.
-Not miss school or work due to asthma.
-Participate in sports activities and perform day-to-day tasks like climbing a flight of stairs without experiencing asthma symptoms.
If not, you need to reevaluate your expectations for asthma control.
Have You Visited The Emergency Room?
If you don't know certain basic facts about asthma management, your perception of your health may be incorrect, and you could end up in the emergency room. Your asthma is definitely out of control if hospital visits are necessary at any time. Attain normal or near-normal lung function. You should be able to breathe like someone who doesn't have asthma or other lung problems. You can make this judgment by using a peak flow meter. If you don't have one, you should. Experience little or no side effects from asthma medicines. If the medicines you take for asthma make you feel bad, speak to your doctor
Great Expectations for Children and Adolescents
Your expectations for your child should be no less than the five listed above, in addition to the following:
-A child must avoid asthma triggers (such as allergens) and follow an exercise program so that he or she is not limited by recurrent asthma symptoms.
-Foster the emotional health of your child so he thinks of himself as a healthy person, not a sick one, and is confident of his or her ability to confront challenges and succeed.
-Teach your child to recognize the subtle signs of asthma and to tell you when they occur.
-And help him use a peak flow meter and asthma diary to gather the information you need to identify when asthma is getting worse.
Expectations for the Elderly
The overriding goal for seniors with asthma is to maintain an independent and active lifestyle. However, keep in mind that because of the following, asthma control can be challenging:
-The effects of coexisting medical conditions can complicate a senior's ability to recognize asthma symptoms.
-Lung function expectations for seniors typically need to be lowered since this function naturally decreases as a person ages.
-Age-related changes in the body may increase the risk of adverse side effects from medications.
-And because seniors may take a number of medications for various ailments, the chance for drug interactions increases.
The good news is that compliance with prescribed treatment plans is generally better with seniors than with younger asthma patients. Generally, if seniors are armed with a basic knowledge about asthma, along with clear instructions for correct medication use and peak flow monitoring, appropriate goals can be realized.
Are You In Denial?
If so, don't let false perceptions impair your ability to achieve asthma control. If you arm yourself with a basic knowledge about asthma, its subtle signs and symptoms, information about current treatments and medications, and an understanding of how to use objective measures of lung function like peak flow monitoring, you will have the tools needed to realize and establish a set of realistic goals.
Update Your Expectations and Goals for Controlled Asthma
So just what is controlled asthma and what goals and expectations should you set for yourself? If asthma is under control, you should be able to:
-Remain free of asthma symptoms both day and night.
-You should be able to sleep through the night without disturbances due to asthma symptoms.
-Maintain normal activity levels.
-Not miss school or work due to asthma.
-Participate in sports activities and perform day-to-day tasks like climbing a flight of stairs without experiencing asthma symptoms.
If not, you need to reevaluate your expectations for asthma control.
Have You Visited The Emergency Room?
If you don't know certain basic facts about asthma management, your perception of your health may be incorrect, and you could end up in the emergency room. Your asthma is definitely out of control if hospital visits are necessary at any time. Attain normal or near-normal lung function. You should be able to breathe like someone who doesn't have asthma or other lung problems. You can make this judgment by using a peak flow meter. If you don't have one, you should. Experience little or no side effects from asthma medicines. If the medicines you take for asthma make you feel bad, speak to your doctor
Great Expectations for Children and Adolescents
Your expectations for your child should be no less than the five listed above, in addition to the following:
-A child must avoid asthma triggers (such as allergens) and follow an exercise program so that he or she is not limited by recurrent asthma symptoms.
-Foster the emotional health of your child so he thinks of himself as a healthy person, not a sick one, and is confident of his or her ability to confront challenges and succeed.
-Teach your child to recognize the subtle signs of asthma and to tell you when they occur.
-And help him use a peak flow meter and asthma diary to gather the information you need to identify when asthma is getting worse.
Expectations for the Elderly
The overriding goal for seniors with asthma is to maintain an independent and active lifestyle. However, keep in mind that because of the following, asthma control can be challenging:
-The effects of coexisting medical conditions can complicate a senior's ability to recognize asthma symptoms.
-Lung function expectations for seniors typically need to be lowered since this function naturally decreases as a person ages.
-Age-related changes in the body may increase the risk of adverse side effects from medications.
-And because seniors may take a number of medications for various ailments, the chance for drug interactions increases.
The good news is that compliance with prescribed treatment plans is generally better with seniors than with younger asthma patients. Generally, if seniors are armed with a basic knowledge about asthma, along with clear instructions for correct medication use and peak flow monitoring, appropriate goals can be realized.
Are You In Denial?
If so, don't let false perceptions impair your ability to achieve asthma control. If you arm yourself with a basic knowledge about asthma, its subtle signs and symptoms, information about current treatments and medications, and an understanding of how to use objective measures of lung function like peak flow monitoring, you will have the tools needed to realize and establish a set of realistic goals.
Asthma symptoms
Inflammation of the air passages that cause temporary narrowing of the airways causing breathing difficulty, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest are all symptoms of asthma.
Asthma has three main features which include:
1. Airway obstruction
The bands of muscle surrounding the airways tighten so air cannot move freely causing a person to wheeze and feel short of breath.
2. Inflammation
The bronchial tubes are red and swollen and may contribute to long-term lung damage.
3. Airway irritability
Due to slight triggers such as pollen, animal dander, dust or fumes, the airways of people with asthma tend to narrow.
Common triggers that can cause asthma symptoms to worsen are:
- Infections (cold, flu, sinusitis)
- Allergens (pollens, mold spores, pet dander, dust mites)
- Irritants (strong odors)
- Tobacco smoke
- Exercise
- Changes in weather
- Strong emotions (stress)
- Medications
Common symptoms of an asthma attack, a sudden worsening of symptoms, may include: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and/or pain, pressure or tightness on the chest.
While wheezing is the key sign of asthma for most people, there are other more unusual symptoms such as: a dry, hacking, persistent cough or a chronic cough without wheezing, rapid breathing, sighing, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and anxiety.
Asthma symptoms are not always consistent and vary from time to time. Also health conditions such as heart failure or bronchitis may mimic asthma symptoms but are not asthma. Therefore, it can be a challenge for you and your physician to get an accurate diagnosis of asthma and start an effective treatment plan. It is important for your physician to further evaluate any cough that lasts longer than three weeks.
The first step to managing asthma is getting a proper diagnosis so your physician can prescribe the most effective asthma medications to treat your symptoms.
Asthma inhalers are the most common and effective treatment. Asthma inhalers can either contain an inhaled steroid which reduces swelling and the production of mucus in the airways or bronchodilators which are used to quickly relieve coughing, wheezing, tightness in chest and/or shortness of breath caused by asthma.
Getting a proper asthma diagnosis can be difficult because when a patient arrives at the doctor's office the obvious asthma symptoms may not be present. Also a patient may go for weeks or months without having any asthma symptoms, making the diagnosis process even more difficult. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is by helping your doctor by noticing what triggers your asthma attacks.
Asthma has three main features which include:
1. Airway obstruction
The bands of muscle surrounding the airways tighten so air cannot move freely causing a person to wheeze and feel short of breath.
2. Inflammation
The bronchial tubes are red and swollen and may contribute to long-term lung damage.
3. Airway irritability
Due to slight triggers such as pollen, animal dander, dust or fumes, the airways of people with asthma tend to narrow.
Common triggers that can cause asthma symptoms to worsen are:
- Infections (cold, flu, sinusitis)
- Allergens (pollens, mold spores, pet dander, dust mites)
- Irritants (strong odors)
- Tobacco smoke
- Exercise
- Changes in weather
- Strong emotions (stress)
- Medications
Common symptoms of an asthma attack, a sudden worsening of symptoms, may include: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and/or pain, pressure or tightness on the chest.
While wheezing is the key sign of asthma for most people, there are other more unusual symptoms such as: a dry, hacking, persistent cough or a chronic cough without wheezing, rapid breathing, sighing, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and anxiety.
Asthma symptoms are not always consistent and vary from time to time. Also health conditions such as heart failure or bronchitis may mimic asthma symptoms but are not asthma. Therefore, it can be a challenge for you and your physician to get an accurate diagnosis of asthma and start an effective treatment plan. It is important for your physician to further evaluate any cough that lasts longer than three weeks.
The first step to managing asthma is getting a proper diagnosis so your physician can prescribe the most effective asthma medications to treat your symptoms.
Asthma inhalers are the most common and effective treatment. Asthma inhalers can either contain an inhaled steroid which reduces swelling and the production of mucus in the airways or bronchodilators which are used to quickly relieve coughing, wheezing, tightness in chest and/or shortness of breath caused by asthma.
Getting a proper asthma diagnosis can be difficult because when a patient arrives at the doctor's office the obvious asthma symptoms may not be present. Also a patient may go for weeks or months without having any asthma symptoms, making the diagnosis process even more difficult. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis is by helping your doctor by noticing what triggers your asthma attacks.
Asthma treatment
Asthma is a condition which causes the airways of the lungs (the bronchi) to become inflamed and swollen.
The bronchi are small tubes which carry in and out of your lungs. The bronchi are more sensitive if you have asthma and certain substances or triggers can irritate them. Common triggers include house dust mites, animal fur, pollen, tobacco smoke, cold air and chest infections.
When the bronchi become irritated they become narrow and the muscles around them tighten. This can increase the production of sticky mucus or phlegm which can make it hard to breathe and cause wheezing and coughing as well as a tightness in the chest.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of asthma might occur for no apparent reason. They might include the following:
feeling out of breath (you might gasp for breath)
a tightness in your chest as if a band is tightening around it
wheezing
coughing, especially at night (this is a more common symptom in children than in adults)
How severe symptoms of asthma are can often be variable and hard to predict. They are sometimes worse at night or with exercise.
The symptoms of a severe attack of asthma often develop slowly and take between 6 and 48 hours to become serious.
It is important to remain alert for any signs of worsening symptoms which might include:
a drop in your peak expiratory flow (see diagnosis)
an increased pulse rate
an increase in wheezing
a feeling of being agitated or restless
If you do notice that your symptoms are becoming worse it is important to contact your doctor.
Typical symptoms of a severe asthma attack include:
symptoms quickly becoming worse
difficulty breathing and talking
a racing pulse
lips and/or fingernails might turn blue
skin may tighten around neck and chest
nostrils might flare as you try to breathe
If you show symptoms of a severe asthma attack you should seek medical attention immediately.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of asthma will be able to be done by your doctor who will ask you about your symptoms, examine your chest and listen to your breathing. He will also ask about your medical history and if there is a history of allergic conditions in your family.
He will also ask you about the circumstances which surround the onset of your symptoms, for example when and where they occurred.
TREATMENT
Once the diagnosis has been confirmed your treatment will begin with an assessment. This may be done at an asthma clinic. The assessment's purpose is to asses the pattern of severity of your symptoms and what treatment would be best to manage them.
The plan will also investigate any possible triggers for your asthma.
You will be encouraged to draw up a personal asthma plan after discussions with your doctor or asthma nurse. This will include information about your asthma medication. You will learn how to recognise when your symptoms are becoming worse and what the appropriate steps are to take. You should keep a track of your symptoms and how well they respond to treatment It is also important to be on alert for any triggers which you think may be causing your asthma. Your doctor or asthma nurse should review your personal plan at lease once a year or if your symptoms are more severe, more frequently.
The Stepwise Approach
The "stepwise approach" is where the severity of your symptoms are assigned from "step" one to five and treatment follows accordingly. As your symptoms improve or get worse, you may move up or down a step. The goal is to find the lowest possible step that successfully manages your asthma.
Both relieving symptoms and preventing them from occurring are part of the treatment. Medicines can help prevention along with lifestyle changes and diet.
Step One - Mild Intermittent Asthma
You will be given an inhaler which contains a medicine called a short-acting beta2-agonist if your symptoms are mild and infrequent. Short-acting beta2-agonists work to relax the muscles of your airways and decrease the amount of mucus. They also stop the muscles around your airways from tightening. Medicines which relive symptoms of asthma are called reliever medicines.
Step Two - Regular Preventer Therapy
You will be given regular preventer therapy if your symptoms are symptoms are more frequent. This is normally recommended if:
you have symptoms of asthma more than twice a week
you wake at lease once a week due to your symptoms
you have had an asthma attack in the last two years
you need to use your short-acting beta2-agonist inhaler more than twice a week
If you have "step two" symptoms you will be given a second inhaler. This contains a medicine called inhaled corticosteroids. Two doses a day are normally recommended to prevent symptoms from occurring.
Exactly how inhaled corticosteroids work is unclear but it is known that they reduce how much inflammation is in the airways and prevent asthma attacks from taking place. Medicines that prevent the symptoms of asthma are called preventer medicines.
The effects of inhaled corticosteroids can be reduced by smoking.
You should rinse your mouth after inhaling a dose because inhaled corticosteroids are known to cause yeast infections in the mouth (oral thrush).
Step 3 - Add-On Therapy
If your symptoms are still not under control you will be given a second preventer inhaler. This will normally contain a medicine called a long-acting beta2-agonist. They work in the same way as the short-acting beta2-agnoist but take longer to take effect and can last up to 12 hours. The short-acting beta2-agnoists start working in five minutes but only relieve symptoms for three to six hours.
The doses of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-agonists can be increased if your asthma is still not responding to treatment.
The long-acting beta2-agonist inhaler should only be used in combination the inhaled corticosteroid inhaler and not on its own. Studies have shown that using it alone can increase the risk of an asthma attack taking place.
Step 4 - persistent Poor Control
If treatment is still not successful, the amount of inhaled corticosteroids can be increased to its maximum safe dose and additional preventer medicine tried. Some possible alternatives include:
Leukotriene receptor antogonists - this is an oral tablet that blocks a chemical reaction which can lead to inflammation of the airways.
Theophyllines - this is an oral medication the helps to widen the airways by relaxing the muscles around them. They have been known to cause a number of side effects in some people including, headaches, nausea, insomnia, vomiting, irritability and upset stomach.
Slow release beta2-agonist tablets - these work like long-acting beta2-agonists but are especially good for prevention of night-time symptoms.
Step 5 - Continuous or Frequent use of Oral Steroids
The final step involves using oral steroids. You will be referred to a specialist of respiratory conditions to monitor your treatment.
Using oral steroids long-term can possibly cause side effects so they will only be used once all other options of treatment have been attempted and all trigger factors eliminated as far as is possible.
Oral steroids carry a risk if taken for three months or if taken frequently (three or four courses of steroids per year). Side effects include:
osteoporosis (fragile bones)
hypertension (high blood pressure)
diabetes
weight gain
cataracts and glaucoma (eye disorders)
thinning of the skin
bruising easily
muscle weakness
The following steps can be taken to minimise the risks of oral steroids:
eating a healthy, balanced diet which includes plenty of calcium
maintaining a healthy body weight
stopping smoking
taking regular exercise
not partaking in more than the recommended daily units of alcohol
The bronchi are small tubes which carry in and out of your lungs. The bronchi are more sensitive if you have asthma and certain substances or triggers can irritate them. Common triggers include house dust mites, animal fur, pollen, tobacco smoke, cold air and chest infections.
When the bronchi become irritated they become narrow and the muscles around them tighten. This can increase the production of sticky mucus or phlegm which can make it hard to breathe and cause wheezing and coughing as well as a tightness in the chest.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of asthma might occur for no apparent reason. They might include the following:
feeling out of breath (you might gasp for breath)
a tightness in your chest as if a band is tightening around it
wheezing
coughing, especially at night (this is a more common symptom in children than in adults)
How severe symptoms of asthma are can often be variable and hard to predict. They are sometimes worse at night or with exercise.
The symptoms of a severe attack of asthma often develop slowly and take between 6 and 48 hours to become serious.
It is important to remain alert for any signs of worsening symptoms which might include:
a drop in your peak expiratory flow (see diagnosis)
an increased pulse rate
an increase in wheezing
a feeling of being agitated or restless
If you do notice that your symptoms are becoming worse it is important to contact your doctor.
Typical symptoms of a severe asthma attack include:
symptoms quickly becoming worse
difficulty breathing and talking
a racing pulse
lips and/or fingernails might turn blue
skin may tighten around neck and chest
nostrils might flare as you try to breathe
If you show symptoms of a severe asthma attack you should seek medical attention immediately.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of asthma will be able to be done by your doctor who will ask you about your symptoms, examine your chest and listen to your breathing. He will also ask about your medical history and if there is a history of allergic conditions in your family.
He will also ask you about the circumstances which surround the onset of your symptoms, for example when and where they occurred.
TREATMENT
Once the diagnosis has been confirmed your treatment will begin with an assessment. This may be done at an asthma clinic. The assessment's purpose is to asses the pattern of severity of your symptoms and what treatment would be best to manage them.
The plan will also investigate any possible triggers for your asthma.
You will be encouraged to draw up a personal asthma plan after discussions with your doctor or asthma nurse. This will include information about your asthma medication. You will learn how to recognise when your symptoms are becoming worse and what the appropriate steps are to take. You should keep a track of your symptoms and how well they respond to treatment It is also important to be on alert for any triggers which you think may be causing your asthma. Your doctor or asthma nurse should review your personal plan at lease once a year or if your symptoms are more severe, more frequently.
The Stepwise Approach
The "stepwise approach" is where the severity of your symptoms are assigned from "step" one to five and treatment follows accordingly. As your symptoms improve or get worse, you may move up or down a step. The goal is to find the lowest possible step that successfully manages your asthma.
Both relieving symptoms and preventing them from occurring are part of the treatment. Medicines can help prevention along with lifestyle changes and diet.
Step One - Mild Intermittent Asthma
You will be given an inhaler which contains a medicine called a short-acting beta2-agonist if your symptoms are mild and infrequent. Short-acting beta2-agonists work to relax the muscles of your airways and decrease the amount of mucus. They also stop the muscles around your airways from tightening. Medicines which relive symptoms of asthma are called reliever medicines.
Step Two - Regular Preventer Therapy
You will be given regular preventer therapy if your symptoms are symptoms are more frequent. This is normally recommended if:
you have symptoms of asthma more than twice a week
you wake at lease once a week due to your symptoms
you have had an asthma attack in the last two years
you need to use your short-acting beta2-agonist inhaler more than twice a week
If you have "step two" symptoms you will be given a second inhaler. This contains a medicine called inhaled corticosteroids. Two doses a day are normally recommended to prevent symptoms from occurring.
Exactly how inhaled corticosteroids work is unclear but it is known that they reduce how much inflammation is in the airways and prevent asthma attacks from taking place. Medicines that prevent the symptoms of asthma are called preventer medicines.
The effects of inhaled corticosteroids can be reduced by smoking.
You should rinse your mouth after inhaling a dose because inhaled corticosteroids are known to cause yeast infections in the mouth (oral thrush).
Step 3 - Add-On Therapy
If your symptoms are still not under control you will be given a second preventer inhaler. This will normally contain a medicine called a long-acting beta2-agonist. They work in the same way as the short-acting beta2-agnoist but take longer to take effect and can last up to 12 hours. The short-acting beta2-agnoists start working in five minutes but only relieve symptoms for three to six hours.
The doses of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-agonists can be increased if your asthma is still not responding to treatment.
The long-acting beta2-agonist inhaler should only be used in combination the inhaled corticosteroid inhaler and not on its own. Studies have shown that using it alone can increase the risk of an asthma attack taking place.
Step 4 - persistent Poor Control
If treatment is still not successful, the amount of inhaled corticosteroids can be increased to its maximum safe dose and additional preventer medicine tried. Some possible alternatives include:
Leukotriene receptor antogonists - this is an oral tablet that blocks a chemical reaction which can lead to inflammation of the airways.
Theophyllines - this is an oral medication the helps to widen the airways by relaxing the muscles around them. They have been known to cause a number of side effects in some people including, headaches, nausea, insomnia, vomiting, irritability and upset stomach.
Slow release beta2-agonist tablets - these work like long-acting beta2-agonists but are especially good for prevention of night-time symptoms.
Step 5 - Continuous or Frequent use of Oral Steroids
The final step involves using oral steroids. You will be referred to a specialist of respiratory conditions to monitor your treatment.
Using oral steroids long-term can possibly cause side effects so they will only be used once all other options of treatment have been attempted and all trigger factors eliminated as far as is possible.
Oral steroids carry a risk if taken for three months or if taken frequently (three or four courses of steroids per year). Side effects include:
osteoporosis (fragile bones)
hypertension (high blood pressure)
diabetes
weight gain
cataracts and glaucoma (eye disorders)
thinning of the skin
bruising easily
muscle weakness
The following steps can be taken to minimise the risks of oral steroids:
eating a healthy, balanced diet which includes plenty of calcium
maintaining a healthy body weight
stopping smoking
taking regular exercise
not partaking in more than the recommended daily units of alcohol
Causes of asthma
Asthma: An Autoimmune Disease Asthma is similar to COPD in the fact that both are lung diseases, both are exacerbated by chemicals of different types (in COPD the irritant is usually tobacco smoke), both are aided by the same drugs: broncho- dialators and anti-inflammatories such as steroids, and both are common. Infections tend to make them worse. Asthma, proper, seems to affect younger people and COPD older people, but perhaps asthmatic younger people evolve into people with COPD at times.
I will cut to the core of the issue and indicate that the cause for both is prior infection by Streptococcus pyogenese bacteria and the establishment of an autoimmune disease via the mechanism of antigenic mimicry occurs. This phenomenon can occur when the antigens of the bacteria mimic the structures and therefore the chemical features of macromolecules on the walls of the blood vessels and other structures of the body. If one gets repeated infections by that bacteria, and it is endemic in the populations of the vertebrates of the world (humans and domestic animals, for instance are the most important) the bacteria are spread around populations of people easily. Just a mild sniffle or what are erroneously termed "colds" can be caused by that germ. The idea that viruses cause all respiratory diseases, or colds, is simply not true, bacteria often cause mild respiratory diseases including the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. It also can cause tonsillitis, pharyngitis (strep throat), sinusitis, adenitis, bronchitis laryngitis, and pneumonia. Now, repeated infections by the above organism, Streptococcus pyogenes or Strep A as it is commonly caused, causes the immune system to be sensitized, to have immunological memory, and then infections in the future can develop a progressive, immunological, inflammatory response. Often this may be a week or two after an infection, or during a prolonged, mild, respiratory disease.
Respiratory disease means; tonsillitis, ear infections, periodontal infections, bronchitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia (lung abscess), etc. So, a person can even be a carrier of the bacteria, be developing an autoimmune response and not be sick. Other house hold members can be carriers and spread it to others without being sick. Schools, where children congregate in great numbers are great places for diseases to spread from one to another: a great reason to home school kinds on a computer!
Since lungs function to absorb oxygen and rid the body of carbon dioxide, the lungs have a very dense blood vessel network and a very dense capillary network. Inflammatory blood vessel disease causes inflammation of the small airways, and the inflammation causes increased mucous secretion, and those two phenomenon plus the abnormal airway diameter control due to the vasculitis which affects the autonomic nerves which control the lung airway musculature leads to the problems with breathing: excess mucous, inflammation and swelling of the small airways, and the abnormalities, via autoimmune vasculitis, of the autonomic nerves controlling bronchial dilation. The big three: excess mucous, bronchoconstriction, and inflammation of the airway walls causes most of the symptoms. Since the same underlying disease causes allergies, such patients often have notable allergic responses to food or outside allergens. Similarly, steroid anti-inflammatories aid asthma and allergies.
The condition is easy to test: do ASO titers, Anti-DNAse Titers and Anti-Hyaluronidase titers to those with asthma attacks and also those with COPD attacks. Also, C-Reactive Protein, RA factor, and Sedimentation Rates will be high in the group as a class of patients. That means if 1000 are tested a meaningful percent, such as 30% to 40% will be elevated, much higher than could be by chance alone. If patients are treated repeatedly, such as every three months a much higher fraction will be positive. I have done it already in my clinics and treated patients prophylactically.
Surprisingly, if patients took penicillin daily (500mg 2 X Day), antihistamines morning and night, (zyrtec and benadryl, for instance), and aspirin, 325mg. coated two times a day, they would probably improve over time: why? Because asthma is part of the old concept of rheumatism. Lots of people with it will have sciatic back pain which old time docs termed sciatic rheumatism, tendonitis, arthritis, palmar erythema (redness of the palms), plantar erythema( redness if the bottoms of the feet), and express a great amount of dermographism (scratch the skin of the inner forearm and red streaks appear after a few seconds).
The Greek physician Galen coined the term rheumatism for "rheum", the word-root means phlegm or expectorant (that which one coughs up), and coryza (chronic sinus drainage material), and he knew that respiratory diseases caused a chronic, often painful, and sickly human condition. Modern specialty docs have "lost the bubble" when it comes to systemic diseases. Asthma and COPD are simply versions of the same disease, but this fact is not understood in the modern medical world of specialty medicine, as part of a systemic disease. It is probably not unusual for someone with severe asthma to get sick and die of "respiratory failure" when it is really rheumatic fever with carditis and pulmonary edema, and cardiac arrhythmia. Rheumatic fever is the highest level of autoimmune disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenese. Scarlet fever is the same disease, really.
Probably, it is true, but I have not had the proper patient population to figure it out for sure, that a good percentage of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis will have asthma since it has the same source.
Cigarette smoking exacerbates asthma in youth and COPD in older people. Infection exacerbates asthma in younger people and COPD in older people. Older people have had the time to develop chronic lung and upper body changes, and younger people have not, but it is the same disease process and it is caused and exacerbated by the same mechanisms.
I will cut to the core of the issue and indicate that the cause for both is prior infection by Streptococcus pyogenese bacteria and the establishment of an autoimmune disease via the mechanism of antigenic mimicry occurs. This phenomenon can occur when the antigens of the bacteria mimic the structures and therefore the chemical features of macromolecules on the walls of the blood vessels and other structures of the body. If one gets repeated infections by that bacteria, and it is endemic in the populations of the vertebrates of the world (humans and domestic animals, for instance are the most important) the bacteria are spread around populations of people easily. Just a mild sniffle or what are erroneously termed "colds" can be caused by that germ. The idea that viruses cause all respiratory diseases, or colds, is simply not true, bacteria often cause mild respiratory diseases including the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. It also can cause tonsillitis, pharyngitis (strep throat), sinusitis, adenitis, bronchitis laryngitis, and pneumonia. Now, repeated infections by the above organism, Streptococcus pyogenes or Strep A as it is commonly caused, causes the immune system to be sensitized, to have immunological memory, and then infections in the future can develop a progressive, immunological, inflammatory response. Often this may be a week or two after an infection, or during a prolonged, mild, respiratory disease.
Respiratory disease means; tonsillitis, ear infections, periodontal infections, bronchitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia (lung abscess), etc. So, a person can even be a carrier of the bacteria, be developing an autoimmune response and not be sick. Other house hold members can be carriers and spread it to others without being sick. Schools, where children congregate in great numbers are great places for diseases to spread from one to another: a great reason to home school kinds on a computer!
Since lungs function to absorb oxygen and rid the body of carbon dioxide, the lungs have a very dense blood vessel network and a very dense capillary network. Inflammatory blood vessel disease causes inflammation of the small airways, and the inflammation causes increased mucous secretion, and those two phenomenon plus the abnormal airway diameter control due to the vasculitis which affects the autonomic nerves which control the lung airway musculature leads to the problems with breathing: excess mucous, inflammation and swelling of the small airways, and the abnormalities, via autoimmune vasculitis, of the autonomic nerves controlling bronchial dilation. The big three: excess mucous, bronchoconstriction, and inflammation of the airway walls causes most of the symptoms. Since the same underlying disease causes allergies, such patients often have notable allergic responses to food or outside allergens. Similarly, steroid anti-inflammatories aid asthma and allergies.
The condition is easy to test: do ASO titers, Anti-DNAse Titers and Anti-Hyaluronidase titers to those with asthma attacks and also those with COPD attacks. Also, C-Reactive Protein, RA factor, and Sedimentation Rates will be high in the group as a class of patients. That means if 1000 are tested a meaningful percent, such as 30% to 40% will be elevated, much higher than could be by chance alone. If patients are treated repeatedly, such as every three months a much higher fraction will be positive. I have done it already in my clinics and treated patients prophylactically.
Surprisingly, if patients took penicillin daily (500mg 2 X Day), antihistamines morning and night, (zyrtec and benadryl, for instance), and aspirin, 325mg. coated two times a day, they would probably improve over time: why? Because asthma is part of the old concept of rheumatism. Lots of people with it will have sciatic back pain which old time docs termed sciatic rheumatism, tendonitis, arthritis, palmar erythema (redness of the palms), plantar erythema( redness if the bottoms of the feet), and express a great amount of dermographism (scratch the skin of the inner forearm and red streaks appear after a few seconds).
The Greek physician Galen coined the term rheumatism for "rheum", the word-root means phlegm or expectorant (that which one coughs up), and coryza (chronic sinus drainage material), and he knew that respiratory diseases caused a chronic, often painful, and sickly human condition. Modern specialty docs have "lost the bubble" when it comes to systemic diseases. Asthma and COPD are simply versions of the same disease, but this fact is not understood in the modern medical world of specialty medicine, as part of a systemic disease. It is probably not unusual for someone with severe asthma to get sick and die of "respiratory failure" when it is really rheumatic fever with carditis and pulmonary edema, and cardiac arrhythmia. Rheumatic fever is the highest level of autoimmune disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenese. Scarlet fever is the same disease, really.
Probably, it is true, but I have not had the proper patient population to figure it out for sure, that a good percentage of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis will have asthma since it has the same source.
Cigarette smoking exacerbates asthma in youth and COPD in older people. Infection exacerbates asthma in younger people and COPD in older people. Older people have had the time to develop chronic lung and upper body changes, and younger people have not, but it is the same disease process and it is caused and exacerbated by the same mechanisms.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease (in other words, it lasts a long time) of the airways. It cannot by cured, and it can be fatal. However, there are plenty of Olympic athletes who suffer from it. It is an unpleasant disease to have, but it can be controlled.
In a person with asthma, the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and produces excess mucus, which narrows the airways. There may also be muscular contractions that make the condition worse.
The end result is that the patient finds it difficult to breathe, and may cough or make wheezing noises as the air tries to force its way through. The chest will feel tight during an attack. An episode can last for about an hour, or persist for a day or longer, especially if it is untreated. After the attack subsides, the airways return to their normal state and the sufferer feels perfectly OK.
Some people get an attack only once every week or so, whereas others can suffer daily attacks. In the worst cases, patients can suffer asthma symptoms for much of the day, every day, and their quality of life is affected very seriously. Night-time attacks are experienced by most sufferers, but again the frequency varies considerably from patient to patient. The frequency of attacks is not normally related to their severity; a very severe attack can be suffered by someone who only gets them rarely.
Asthma is a common complaint, without about 20 million people having been diagnosed with it in the United States. It can begin at any age, but it is usual for it to start in childhood. In developed countries, around 15% of children of school age are likely to have asthma attacks of a greater or lesser severity. Although there is no cure for asthma, many children "grow out of it" as they get older.
In most people, asthma is a severe form of allergy, as the attacks are brought on by the presence of one or more "triggers" to which the patient is sensitive. However, asthma also tends to run in families, so there are probably genetic causes as well. The substances to which the sufferer is allergic are typically such things as dust mites, animal fur and pollen. But attacks can also by triggered by tobacco smoke, bad air, perfumes and strong cooking smells.
Attacks can also arise from taking exercise, or viral infections.
It is therefore the case that asthma varies considerably from patient to patient, in terms of causes, triggers, frequency and severity of attacks. It is therefore vital that the individual's condition be analysed carefully, so that the treatments are correct and the sufferer is able to adjust their lifestyle so as to make attacks as infrequent and mild as possible.
People who are liable to suffer an attack should always carry an inhaler with them. This delivers a shot of a relieving drug directly to the airways, acting very quickly to relax the muscles that are constricting the flow of air into the lungs. A typical drug for this purpose is salbutamol or terbutaline. Teachers of children with asthma need to be able to recognize the symptoms and make sure that a child can use an inhaler when they need to.
There are also inhalers that can be used on a daily basis to help prevent an attack. These are steroid-based and work by reducing the inflammation in the airways, thus making the chance of mucus blockage much less likely.
Tablets can be prescribed in addition to inhaler use, as a preventative measure.
Proper diagnosis of an asthmatic condition is necessary so that the correct treatment can be offered. Diagnosis includes measuring the rate of airflow into and out of the lungs, and testing for allergic reactions.
Apart from medication, treatment includes the avoidance of potential triggers and making lifestyle adjustments. For example, bedsheets may need to be changed more often than normal, and mattresses and pillows covered in material that is impermeable to dust mites. Carpets in bedrooms can harbour mites, and may need to be removed.
It cannot be denied that living with asthma is a thorough nuisance, but, with careful management, the symptoms can be controlled and the frequency and severity of attacks reduced to a minimum.
In a person with asthma, the lining of the airways becomes inflamed and produces excess mucus, which narrows the airways. There may also be muscular contractions that make the condition worse.
The end result is that the patient finds it difficult to breathe, and may cough or make wheezing noises as the air tries to force its way through. The chest will feel tight during an attack. An episode can last for about an hour, or persist for a day or longer, especially if it is untreated. After the attack subsides, the airways return to their normal state and the sufferer feels perfectly OK.
Some people get an attack only once every week or so, whereas others can suffer daily attacks. In the worst cases, patients can suffer asthma symptoms for much of the day, every day, and their quality of life is affected very seriously. Night-time attacks are experienced by most sufferers, but again the frequency varies considerably from patient to patient. The frequency of attacks is not normally related to their severity; a very severe attack can be suffered by someone who only gets them rarely.
Asthma is a common complaint, without about 20 million people having been diagnosed with it in the United States. It can begin at any age, but it is usual for it to start in childhood. In developed countries, around 15% of children of school age are likely to have asthma attacks of a greater or lesser severity. Although there is no cure for asthma, many children "grow out of it" as they get older.
In most people, asthma is a severe form of allergy, as the attacks are brought on by the presence of one or more "triggers" to which the patient is sensitive. However, asthma also tends to run in families, so there are probably genetic causes as well. The substances to which the sufferer is allergic are typically such things as dust mites, animal fur and pollen. But attacks can also by triggered by tobacco smoke, bad air, perfumes and strong cooking smells.
Attacks can also arise from taking exercise, or viral infections.
It is therefore the case that asthma varies considerably from patient to patient, in terms of causes, triggers, frequency and severity of attacks. It is therefore vital that the individual's condition be analysed carefully, so that the treatments are correct and the sufferer is able to adjust their lifestyle so as to make attacks as infrequent and mild as possible.
People who are liable to suffer an attack should always carry an inhaler with them. This delivers a shot of a relieving drug directly to the airways, acting very quickly to relax the muscles that are constricting the flow of air into the lungs. A typical drug for this purpose is salbutamol or terbutaline. Teachers of children with asthma need to be able to recognize the symptoms and make sure that a child can use an inhaler when they need to.
There are also inhalers that can be used on a daily basis to help prevent an attack. These are steroid-based and work by reducing the inflammation in the airways, thus making the chance of mucus blockage much less likely.
Tablets can be prescribed in addition to inhaler use, as a preventative measure.
Proper diagnosis of an asthmatic condition is necessary so that the correct treatment can be offered. Diagnosis includes measuring the rate of airflow into and out of the lungs, and testing for allergic reactions.
Apart from medication, treatment includes the avoidance of potential triggers and making lifestyle adjustments. For example, bedsheets may need to be changed more often than normal, and mattresses and pillows covered in material that is impermeable to dust mites. Carpets in bedrooms can harbour mites, and may need to be removed.
It cannot be denied that living with asthma is a thorough nuisance, but, with careful management, the symptoms can be controlled and the frequency and severity of attacks reduced to a minimum.
HSP treatment
Henoch-Schonlein purpura or HSP is a condition seen mainly in children, with 75% of cases occurring between the ages of 2 and 11, although cases in adults do occur. It is more common in boys with a boy/girl ration of 2:1. HSP is not a common disease, in the USA there are 14 cases in every 100,000 children of school age.
It is a vasculitis caused by the deposition of immunoglobin A (IgA), C3 and immune complexes in the small blood vessels (arterioles, venules and capillaries). This causes purpura and nephritis (kidney inflammation).
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The main symptom of HSP is a red rash caused by point bleeding into the skin (purpura) this is particularly noticeable on the lower limbs. Other symptoms include a painful edema (in males this often involves the scrotum), joint pain (particularly the knees an ankles), abdominal pain and blood in the stools and urine. In less than 1% of cases, the patient will develop renal failure.
At present, the exact cause of HSP is unknown. Infections, insect bites, drugs and even certain foods may trigger the start of the condition. Clinical features, with a blood test to exclude idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), will diagnose HSP.
Treatment of HSP is a matter of treating the symptoms while monitoring the patient for complications such a renal failure or abdominal intussusceptions (abnormal folding of the bowel).
Most cases of HSP are treated with pain relieving non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). It is important to monitor the patient's kidney function when using NSAIDS in case they develop renal insufficiency. The NSAID of choice is ibuprofen (trade names Ibuprin, Advil or Motrin). Other NSAIDS of use in treating HSP include flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ketoprofen (Oruvail, Orudis or Actron) and naproxen (Anaprox, Naprelan or Naprosyn).
Severe cases of HSP can be treated with either intravenous or oral corticosteroids such as prednisone (Deltasone, Sterapred or Orasone) or methyloprednisolone (Solu-Medrol or Depo-Medrol). Steroid treatment is often combined with other therapeutic agents or procedures such as fish oil, azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), cyclosporine, dipyridamole, plasmapheresis or high-dose intra-venous immunoglobulin G (IgG).
Cases of renal failure in HSP will require dialysis treatment.
The best option for treatment of HSP is in doubt. To date there are no large-scale studies of treatment options for HSP in published literature. The small number of cases and many of the being children make performing full scale clinical trials of HSP medication a difficult task.
Most cases of HSP will resolve without any complications. 10 to 20 percent of patients will experience a subsequent bout of HSP while fewer than 5% will develop long term or chronic HSP.
It is a vasculitis caused by the deposition of immunoglobin A (IgA), C3 and immune complexes in the small blood vessels (arterioles, venules and capillaries). This causes purpura and nephritis (kidney inflammation).
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
The main symptom of HSP is a red rash caused by point bleeding into the skin (purpura) this is particularly noticeable on the lower limbs. Other symptoms include a painful edema (in males this often involves the scrotum), joint pain (particularly the knees an ankles), abdominal pain and blood in the stools and urine. In less than 1% of cases, the patient will develop renal failure.
At present, the exact cause of HSP is unknown. Infections, insect bites, drugs and even certain foods may trigger the start of the condition. Clinical features, with a blood test to exclude idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), will diagnose HSP.
Treatment of HSP is a matter of treating the symptoms while monitoring the patient for complications such a renal failure or abdominal intussusceptions (abnormal folding of the bowel).
Most cases of HSP are treated with pain relieving non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). It is important to monitor the patient's kidney function when using NSAIDS in case they develop renal insufficiency. The NSAID of choice is ibuprofen (trade names Ibuprin, Advil or Motrin). Other NSAIDS of use in treating HSP include flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ketoprofen (Oruvail, Orudis or Actron) and naproxen (Anaprox, Naprelan or Naprosyn).
Severe cases of HSP can be treated with either intravenous or oral corticosteroids such as prednisone (Deltasone, Sterapred or Orasone) or methyloprednisolone (Solu-Medrol or Depo-Medrol). Steroid treatment is often combined with other therapeutic agents or procedures such as fish oil, azathioprine (Imuran), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), cyclosporine, dipyridamole, plasmapheresis or high-dose intra-venous immunoglobulin G (IgG).
Cases of renal failure in HSP will require dialysis treatment.
The best option for treatment of HSP is in doubt. To date there are no large-scale studies of treatment options for HSP in published literature. The small number of cases and many of the being children make performing full scale clinical trials of HSP medication a difficult task.
Most cases of HSP will resolve without any complications. 10 to 20 percent of patients will experience a subsequent bout of HSP while fewer than 5% will develop long term or chronic HSP.
Common side effects of ACE inhibitors
ACE inhibitors are a popular and highly effective category of medications used to control hypertension (high blood pressure) and some types of heart failure. As a general rule they are well tolerated and have a limited set of side effects. However, like all medications there are some potential effects which are undesirable. This article will examine some of the more common and/or serious side effects of ACE inhibitors. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list.
Some commonly used ACE inhibitors include: captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, quinapril, benazepril, and ramipril.
The first and most common side effect seen with ACE inhibitors is a cough. Up to 20% of people can develop a cough, although this number can vary and many estimates place it somewhat lower. The cough seen with ACE inhibitor use typically takes a few weeks to develop after initiation of therapy. In some cases, this delay can be several months. For reasons that are not known, women are more commonly affected in men. If the ACE inhibitors are stopped, the cough will generally resolve within a week, although in some people it can take up to a month to see a complete resolution.
The reason the ACE inhibitors cause a cough is not well understood, although there are some theories (the details of which are not necessary to include here). Because of this risk, ACE inhibitors should be used with extreme caution in anyone with lung problems. It is preferable not to put people with lung problems on ACE inhibitors at all.
A decrease in blood pressure, known as hypotension, is often seen with ACE inhibitor use. This is not surprising considering they are used to lower high blood pressure. However, this hypotension can be significant, especially immediately following the first dose of the medication. This effect is often avoided by giving a very low first dose.
A decrease in kidney function can be seen with ACE inhibitor use. This is most commonly seen in people who have kidney diseases such as renal artery stenosis, chronic renal failure, or polycystic kidney disease. People with these kidney problems who are put on ACE inhibitors can have a significant decrease in their renal function due to decreased amounts of blood being pushed through the kidneys. People who are known to have any of these issues with their kidneys should not use ACE inhibitors.
ACE inhibitors will cause some mild electrolyte imbalances in about 10% of people. Specifically, they can cause an increase in the amount of potassium in your body.
They do this because they act on the biochemical pathway which regulates the levels of potassium in your body. By blocking this pathway your body retains excess potassium. In most cases this effect is not worrisome, however in people who already have high potassium levels or renal failure, which can also lead to high potassium levels, this effect can be significant.
The last significant side effect to mention here is a condition known as angioedema. Angioedema is a swelling of the skin, typically around the face, lips, throat, and mouth. It can be caused by many things, not just ACE inhibitor use. If the swelling as severe, it can block the ability to breathe and can be quite a dangerous condition. Fortunately, angioedema is a rare side effect with ACE inhibitor use. However, because it is potentially dangerous, it must always be watched for.
ACE inhibitors should not be used by women who are pregnant. There are known risks to the fetus if a woman uses ACE inhibitors while she is pregnant.
ACE inhibitors can only be used with a prescription by your doctor. You must work with your doctor to determine if ACE inhibitor therapy is appropriate for you. In addition, you should always discuss potential side effects for these (or any other) medications before you begin therapy. ACE inhibitors are generally well tolerated, but they are not appropriate for everyone.
Some commonly used ACE inhibitors include: captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, quinapril, benazepril, and ramipril.
The first and most common side effect seen with ACE inhibitors is a cough. Up to 20% of people can develop a cough, although this number can vary and many estimates place it somewhat lower. The cough seen with ACE inhibitor use typically takes a few weeks to develop after initiation of therapy. In some cases, this delay can be several months. For reasons that are not known, women are more commonly affected in men. If the ACE inhibitors are stopped, the cough will generally resolve within a week, although in some people it can take up to a month to see a complete resolution.
The reason the ACE inhibitors cause a cough is not well understood, although there are some theories (the details of which are not necessary to include here). Because of this risk, ACE inhibitors should be used with extreme caution in anyone with lung problems. It is preferable not to put people with lung problems on ACE inhibitors at all.
A decrease in blood pressure, known as hypotension, is often seen with ACE inhibitor use. This is not surprising considering they are used to lower high blood pressure. However, this hypotension can be significant, especially immediately following the first dose of the medication. This effect is often avoided by giving a very low first dose.
A decrease in kidney function can be seen with ACE inhibitor use. This is most commonly seen in people who have kidney diseases such as renal artery stenosis, chronic renal failure, or polycystic kidney disease. People with these kidney problems who are put on ACE inhibitors can have a significant decrease in their renal function due to decreased amounts of blood being pushed through the kidneys. People who are known to have any of these issues with their kidneys should not use ACE inhibitors.
ACE inhibitors will cause some mild electrolyte imbalances in about 10% of people. Specifically, they can cause an increase in the amount of potassium in your body.
They do this because they act on the biochemical pathway which regulates the levels of potassium in your body. By blocking this pathway your body retains excess potassium. In most cases this effect is not worrisome, however in people who already have high potassium levels or renal failure, which can also lead to high potassium levels, this effect can be significant.
The last significant side effect to mention here is a condition known as angioedema. Angioedema is a swelling of the skin, typically around the face, lips, throat, and mouth. It can be caused by many things, not just ACE inhibitor use. If the swelling as severe, it can block the ability to breathe and can be quite a dangerous condition. Fortunately, angioedema is a rare side effect with ACE inhibitor use. However, because it is potentially dangerous, it must always be watched for.
ACE inhibitors should not be used by women who are pregnant. There are known risks to the fetus if a woman uses ACE inhibitors while she is pregnant.
ACE inhibitors can only be used with a prescription by your doctor. You must work with your doctor to determine if ACE inhibitor therapy is appropriate for you. In addition, you should always discuss potential side effects for these (or any other) medications before you begin therapy. ACE inhibitors are generally well tolerated, but they are not appropriate for everyone.
Understanding a renal diet plan
A renal diet plan poses many daily challenges. When your kidneys are in stages of failure, there are definite foods that you can and cannot eat. In this article, I'd like to explain this special diet a little further and the basics of it.
The renal plan diet is low in potassium, phosphorous, sodium, and calcium. Since your kidneys are no longer cleaning out these things, your meal plan has to be tailored to fit that plan. You and your renal dietitian will work together to plan the best of food choices where those things are limited
In carbohydrates you can eat things that are lower in fiber and also no whole grains. Things such as white bread, popcorn, white buns, pasta and white rice are all usually acceptable on this diet plan. The problem with whole grains and high fiber foods is that there are higher amounts of phosphorous in those foods that you will need to strictly limit. Keep in mind that you will have to limit sodium, and look for foods that have lower sodium, going according to your sodium allowance.
Proteins are a bit more liberal on the renal diet. You can have fish, chicken, ground beef, pork, and eggs.You can have about 10 ounce serving sizes daily on these foods. Other protein sources such as peanut butter and nuts, are good in protein, but too high in phosphorous. Lentils and dried beans and other types of legumes are not really recommended on a kidney diet plan.
Dairy foods on a renal diet plan have a lot of restrictions. This is due to the fact that these contain a lot of calcium and especially phosphorous. Selecting foods such as sherbet, butter and margarine in tubs, cream cheese, heavy cream, non-dair whipped topping, and ricotta cheese. These dairy selections are safe in phosphorous levels. If you do eat a high phosphorous food, your phosphorous binder should help to counteract the extra.
Fruits that are not good for kidney patients are kiwi, honeydew, nectarines, prunes, bananas, raisins, and other melons will need to be eliminated. These all contain higher levels of potassium which is hard on failing kidneys.
Alternatives for your fruit choices are apples, pears, fruit cocktail drained, berries, pineapple, plums, cherries, watermelon, grapes, tangerines, and peaches. These are all fine in their selected portions on your diet plan. Eat only what is recommended, though.
Potatoes are okay with the process of leeching to get the potassium out. Ask your renal dietitian how to do this. It involves letting the peeled raw potatoes sit overnight.
Vegetables allowed are cucumbers, garlic, eggplant, zucchini and yellow squash. broccoli, carrots, spinach, lettuce of all types, green and wax beans, radishes, and peppers. Other vegetables that should be restricted or avoided altogethr are avocadoes, beets, asparagus, tomatoes,parsnips and pumpkin. These vegetables contain too much potassium.
Your fluid intake on a kidney diet all depends upon how much urine your kidneys are still putting out, if any. If there is some, the fluids will be a little less restriction. If there is none, then there will be many restrictions on fluids and how much you can have daily which is about 32 ounces. Fluids include not only water and other drinks, but gravy, soups, and gelatins. When you drink, you can have white colored colas usually, and not dark, tea, or water.
The renal plan diet is low in potassium, phosphorous, sodium, and calcium. Since your kidneys are no longer cleaning out these things, your meal plan has to be tailored to fit that plan. You and your renal dietitian will work together to plan the best of food choices where those things are limited
In carbohydrates you can eat things that are lower in fiber and also no whole grains. Things such as white bread, popcorn, white buns, pasta and white rice are all usually acceptable on this diet plan. The problem with whole grains and high fiber foods is that there are higher amounts of phosphorous in those foods that you will need to strictly limit. Keep in mind that you will have to limit sodium, and look for foods that have lower sodium, going according to your sodium allowance.
Proteins are a bit more liberal on the renal diet. You can have fish, chicken, ground beef, pork, and eggs.You can have about 10 ounce serving sizes daily on these foods. Other protein sources such as peanut butter and nuts, are good in protein, but too high in phosphorous. Lentils and dried beans and other types of legumes are not really recommended on a kidney diet plan.
Dairy foods on a renal diet plan have a lot of restrictions. This is due to the fact that these contain a lot of calcium and especially phosphorous. Selecting foods such as sherbet, butter and margarine in tubs, cream cheese, heavy cream, non-dair whipped topping, and ricotta cheese. These dairy selections are safe in phosphorous levels. If you do eat a high phosphorous food, your phosphorous binder should help to counteract the extra.
Fruits that are not good for kidney patients are kiwi, honeydew, nectarines, prunes, bananas, raisins, and other melons will need to be eliminated. These all contain higher levels of potassium which is hard on failing kidneys.
Alternatives for your fruit choices are apples, pears, fruit cocktail drained, berries, pineapple, plums, cherries, watermelon, grapes, tangerines, and peaches. These are all fine in their selected portions on your diet plan. Eat only what is recommended, though.
Potatoes are okay with the process of leeching to get the potassium out. Ask your renal dietitian how to do this. It involves letting the peeled raw potatoes sit overnight.
Vegetables allowed are cucumbers, garlic, eggplant, zucchini and yellow squash. broccoli, carrots, spinach, lettuce of all types, green and wax beans, radishes, and peppers. Other vegetables that should be restricted or avoided altogethr are avocadoes, beets, asparagus, tomatoes,parsnips and pumpkin. These vegetables contain too much potassium.
Your fluid intake on a kidney diet all depends upon how much urine your kidneys are still putting out, if any. If there is some, the fluids will be a little less restriction. If there is none, then there will be many restrictions on fluids and how much you can have daily which is about 32 ounces. Fluids include not only water and other drinks, but gravy, soups, and gelatins. When you drink, you can have white colored colas usually, and not dark, tea, or water.
Chronic kidney disease causes
Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic renal failure, is a serious condition in which your kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste from your blood. It is technically defined as a functional deficit in the kidneys that lasts for at least three months. Chronic kidney disease can be an insidious problem, developing slowly over a long period of time and becoming worse as the years go by. There are many potential causes of chronic kidney disease, some of which are preventable and some of which are not.
Your kidneys serve several important functions in your body. They serve to filter waste products from her blood, as well as helping to maintain proper fluid and electrolyte balance in your system. It is important for your kidneys to function properly so that wastes can be excreted in your urine, and you retain the proper amount of water.
In order for the kidneys to function properly, and adequate blood supply must flow through the organs. The kidneys require sufficient blood pressure in order to maintain the ability to filter your blood. Any condition which lowers blood pressure below a certain point, or restricts the ability of blood to flow through the kidneys, can result in chronic kidney disease. In addition, any disorder involving the structures of the kidney itself can lead to chronic kidney disease.
The kidneys receive blood supply from arteries known as the renal arteries. This is a condition known as renal artery stenosis. This condition involves a narrowing of the renal arteries. When the renal arteries become too narrow, blood flow into the kidneys is restricted. This leads to a degeneration of the kidney tissue and consequently chronic kidney disease. Doctors sometimes refer to a condition such as this as pre-renal kidney failure. This simply means that the problem is not with the kidneys themselves, but rather with the blood supply leading to them.
One of the major causes of chronic kidney disease is diabetes. Diabetes can lead to a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy results in damage to the nephron so the kidneys. The nephron of the kidneys are the functional units which are involved in the filtration of the blood. When enough nephrons become damaged, they are no longer able to filter blood properly, and a person will consequently develop chronic kidney disease.
There are several conditions which can cause inflammation of the kidneys. This is known medically as glomerulonephritis. There are several different causes of glomerulonephritis, any one of which can lead to chronic kidney disease.
Another common cause of chronic kidney disease is high blood pressure. Hypertension can lead to chronic kidney disease by causing damage to the nephron's in the kidneys.
There is a genetic condition which can predispose a person to chronic kidney disease. This condition is known as polycystic kidney disease. People with polycystic kidney disease will develop a large number of fluid filled cysts on their kidneys. These cysts can eventually grow large enough to impair the function of the kidneys.
In addition to the causes listed above, there are a wide range of other medical conditions which can lead to chronic kidney disease. These can include the use of certain drugs and medications, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, infections in the body, urinary tract infections, obstructions to urinary flow, and a family history of chronic kidney disease.
A wide range of tests are available to determine if you have chronic kidney disease. If you suspect that you may be having issues with your kidneys, make an appointment to see your doctor. Treatments for chronic kidney disease depend entirely on the specific cause of the problem. If you work with your doctor, you can determine exactly what the cause of your chronic kidney disease is, and make a plan for proper treatment.
Your kidneys serve several important functions in your body. They serve to filter waste products from her blood, as well as helping to maintain proper fluid and electrolyte balance in your system. It is important for your kidneys to function properly so that wastes can be excreted in your urine, and you retain the proper amount of water.
In order for the kidneys to function properly, and adequate blood supply must flow through the organs. The kidneys require sufficient blood pressure in order to maintain the ability to filter your blood. Any condition which lowers blood pressure below a certain point, or restricts the ability of blood to flow through the kidneys, can result in chronic kidney disease. In addition, any disorder involving the structures of the kidney itself can lead to chronic kidney disease.
The kidneys receive blood supply from arteries known as the renal arteries. This is a condition known as renal artery stenosis. This condition involves a narrowing of the renal arteries. When the renal arteries become too narrow, blood flow into the kidneys is restricted. This leads to a degeneration of the kidney tissue and consequently chronic kidney disease. Doctors sometimes refer to a condition such as this as pre-renal kidney failure. This simply means that the problem is not with the kidneys themselves, but rather with the blood supply leading to them.
One of the major causes of chronic kidney disease is diabetes. Diabetes can lead to a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy results in damage to the nephron so the kidneys. The nephron of the kidneys are the functional units which are involved in the filtration of the blood. When enough nephrons become damaged, they are no longer able to filter blood properly, and a person will consequently develop chronic kidney disease.
There are several conditions which can cause inflammation of the kidneys. This is known medically as glomerulonephritis. There are several different causes of glomerulonephritis, any one of which can lead to chronic kidney disease.
Another common cause of chronic kidney disease is high blood pressure. Hypertension can lead to chronic kidney disease by causing damage to the nephron's in the kidneys.
There is a genetic condition which can predispose a person to chronic kidney disease. This condition is known as polycystic kidney disease. People with polycystic kidney disease will develop a large number of fluid filled cysts on their kidneys. These cysts can eventually grow large enough to impair the function of the kidneys.
In addition to the causes listed above, there are a wide range of other medical conditions which can lead to chronic kidney disease. These can include the use of certain drugs and medications, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, infections in the body, urinary tract infections, obstructions to urinary flow, and a family history of chronic kidney disease.
A wide range of tests are available to determine if you have chronic kidney disease. If you suspect that you may be having issues with your kidneys, make an appointment to see your doctor. Treatments for chronic kidney disease depend entirely on the specific cause of the problem. If you work with your doctor, you can determine exactly what the cause of your chronic kidney disease is, and make a plan for proper treatment.
Living with kidney disease, dialysis and transplantation
My Kidney Failure Treatment Choice / What Everyone Should Know
I have a lot of things to say, today - all relevant to tomorrow. I hope you'll read this and really try to understand what it all means. I feel its important not only to my friends and family, but to others who might be facing the same decisions in the near future.
I've always said that I believe no one should blindly go forward with a kidney transplant until they are at the point in their thinking that they can and will accept all possible outcomes. I've known several people in real life, and dozens of others online, who've erroneously and desperately convinced themselves that having a kidney transplant will cure them. These patients think (wish? hope? need?) that receiving a new kidney will mean a "normal" life and things can go back to the "way they were". Sometimes, tragically, transplants do not go as planned and patients can then fall into deep depression and feel as though their life is over or no hope can be had for the future. What these patients never realized was that a kidney transplant is not a cure, it is merely one of many treatment options for kidney failure.
Not a cure, you say? Nope, sorry to disappoint, but a transplant is not a cure for kidney failure; this is the key point that I feel many patients miss. In fact, there is no known cure for kidney disease and very few known, proved treatments to combat the effects of kidney disease to prevent the kidneys from failing. Other kidney disorders, such as kidney stones, are more easily treated and rarely end in failure - However, MOST kidney diseases like mine end in kidney failure. While it is true that some people with kidney disease never do reach the stage of failure, my unprofessional opinion (based on my years of self-research and study) is that avoiding eventual kidney failure is rare.
Before I go on, let me give you some quick facts about what causes kidney disease and failure:
* Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure.
* Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the second most common cause of kidney failure.
* African Americans are 4 times more likely to get kidney failure than Caucasians.
* People with a family member with kidney failure are more likely to develop kidney disease.
I don't fall into ANY of those categories, yet I've had kidney disease more than half my life (and kidney failure for three and a half years) So, even though many causes of kidney disease and failure can be avoided (or lessened) some just happen, without reason, such as in my case. I call this my "hand of cards I was dealt in life" or "my number was up" whenever someone asks me why I have kidney disease or how I feel about it. And I really do feel this way. I've never asked "why me" I just first learned to accept it (which took awhile!) and then learned to live my life anyway. Making choices about how to treat it came much easier for me by having this attitude than I'm sure it has been for others.
There are several ways to treat kidney disease and failure. Many people who are diagnosed with inevitable kidney failure choose to treat their disease by receiving a transplant before they need another form of renal replacement therapy (i.e. dialysis) I know several people who have gone this route with very successful results - never needing dialysis! Others, for personal, religious or circumstantial reasons that outright disqualify them for a transplant (age, other health problems, etc.) never apply for a transplant and instead choose dialysis as a life-long, permanent treatment. Others, unfortunately, have no treatment options available to them and without treatment for kidney failure they pass away.
Which brings us to deciding which treatment to choose - or more specifically how I chose my treatment path.
I have always been keenly aware of my options, the possible outcomes and the long-term prognosis for each. I was lucky in that I had more than 12 years to "think about" my inevitable kidney failure and decide what to do about it. My choice was very deliberate and thoroughly thought-through and researched prior to the point in which the decision needed to be made.
As you all know by now, my choice was hemodialysis which I've faithfully attended since January of 2004. Many along my journey have asked me why I didn't want or why I didn't get a transplant from the beginning. My answer is as simple as my original decision: I didn't want a transplant at the beginning because I wasn't ready to accept all possible outcomes of what a transplant entails. Sometimes this answer confuses those who don't live with kidney disease or really understand what its like to have a life-long chronic health issue. For those of you unfamiliar, let me outline the possible outcomes of a transplant from worst (rarest) to best case (more common) scenario:
1. Death during surgery as a result of complications of the surgery or other contributing pre-existing health conditions.
2. Death as a result of a secondary infection caused by the There are several ways to treat kidney disease and failure. Many people who are diagnosed with inevitable kidney failure choose to treat their disease by receiving a transplant before they need another form of renal replacement therapy (i.e. dialysis) I know several people who have gone this route with very successful results - never needing dialysis! Others, for personal, religious or circumstantial reasons that outright disqualify them for a transplant (age, other health problems, etc.) never apply for a transplant and instead choose dialysis as a life-long, permanent treatment. Others, unfortunately, have no treatment options available to them and without treatment for kidney failure they pass away.
Which brings us to deciding which treatment to choose - or more specifically how I chose my treatment path.
I have always been keenly aware of my options, the possible outcomes and the long-term prognosis for each. I was lucky in that I had more than 12 years to "think about" my inevitable kidney failure and decide what to do about it. My choice was very deliberate and thoroughly thought-through and researched prior to the point in which the decision needed to be made.
As you all know by now, my choice was hemodialysis which I've faithfully attended since January of 2004. Many along my journey have asked me why I didn't want or why I didn't get a transplant from the beginning. My answer is as simple as my original decision: I didn't want a transplant at the beginning because I wasn't ready to accept all possible outcomes of what a transplant entails. Sometimes this answer confuses those who don't live with kidney disease or really understand what its like to have a life-long chronic health issue. For those of you unfamiliar, let me outline the possible outcomes of a transplant from worst (rarest) to best case (more common) scenario:
1. Death during surgery as a result of complications of the surgery or other contributing pre-existing health conditions.
2. Death as a result of a secondary infection caused by the immune system being over-compromised.
3. Death as a result of toxic levels of anti-rejection pharmaceutical levels in the body.
4. The transplanted organ (known as the "graft") is successfully transplanted but then never begins working, therefore requiring other Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) a.k.a. dialysis.
5. Acute, early-onset graft rejection, ending in total rejection, and the need for other RRT.
6. Chronic graft rejection, eventually (over months, or years) ending in total rejection and the need for other RRT.
7. Re-occurrence of the original kidney disease that destroyed the native kidneys, eventually ending in the need for other RRT.
8. Short-term (less than 5 years) graft survival with an event or illness contributing to secondary kidney failure ending in the need for other RRT.
9. Long-term (longer than 5 years) graft survival with eventual secondary kidney failure ending in the need for other RRT.
10. Long-term graft survival with never needing additional RRT for the lifetime of the individual.
As this entry comes full-circle I will answer my own question: "Can I accept all possible outcomes of what happens tomorrow and in the coming weeks, months and years?"
YES I can. I'm ready, I'm at peace and I'm in a positive place. It took me a little over three years on dialysis to get here, but it was worth every treatment, every needle stick, every scar, every ache and pain and all the experiences of dialysis. Dialysis taught me that even if this transplant doesn't work, I can still live my life and continue being who I am. While I'm very optimistic about tomorrow, I am also realistic and I'll take what I get. Its out of my hands and into the hands of the doctors, and as some say, fate.
I have a lot of things to say, today - all relevant to tomorrow. I hope you'll read this and really try to understand what it all means. I feel its important not only to my friends and family, but to others who might be facing the same decisions in the near future.
I've always said that I believe no one should blindly go forward with a kidney transplant until they are at the point in their thinking that they can and will accept all possible outcomes. I've known several people in real life, and dozens of others online, who've erroneously and desperately convinced themselves that having a kidney transplant will cure them. These patients think (wish? hope? need?) that receiving a new kidney will mean a "normal" life and things can go back to the "way they were". Sometimes, tragically, transplants do not go as planned and patients can then fall into deep depression and feel as though their life is over or no hope can be had for the future. What these patients never realized was that a kidney transplant is not a cure, it is merely one of many treatment options for kidney failure.
Not a cure, you say? Nope, sorry to disappoint, but a transplant is not a cure for kidney failure; this is the key point that I feel many patients miss. In fact, there is no known cure for kidney disease and very few known, proved treatments to combat the effects of kidney disease to prevent the kidneys from failing. Other kidney disorders, such as kidney stones, are more easily treated and rarely end in failure - However, MOST kidney diseases like mine end in kidney failure. While it is true that some people with kidney disease never do reach the stage of failure, my unprofessional opinion (based on my years of self-research and study) is that avoiding eventual kidney failure is rare.
Before I go on, let me give you some quick facts about what causes kidney disease and failure:
* Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure.
* Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the second most common cause of kidney failure.
* African Americans are 4 times more likely to get kidney failure than Caucasians.
* People with a family member with kidney failure are more likely to develop kidney disease.
I don't fall into ANY of those categories, yet I've had kidney disease more than half my life (and kidney failure for three and a half years) So, even though many causes of kidney disease and failure can be avoided (or lessened) some just happen, without reason, such as in my case. I call this my "hand of cards I was dealt in life" or "my number was up" whenever someone asks me why I have kidney disease or how I feel about it. And I really do feel this way. I've never asked "why me" I just first learned to accept it (which took awhile!) and then learned to live my life anyway. Making choices about how to treat it came much easier for me by having this attitude than I'm sure it has been for others.
There are several ways to treat kidney disease and failure. Many people who are diagnosed with inevitable kidney failure choose to treat their disease by receiving a transplant before they need another form of renal replacement therapy (i.e. dialysis) I know several people who have gone this route with very successful results - never needing dialysis! Others, for personal, religious or circumstantial reasons that outright disqualify them for a transplant (age, other health problems, etc.) never apply for a transplant and instead choose dialysis as a life-long, permanent treatment. Others, unfortunately, have no treatment options available to them and without treatment for kidney failure they pass away.
Which brings us to deciding which treatment to choose - or more specifically how I chose my treatment path.
I have always been keenly aware of my options, the possible outcomes and the long-term prognosis for each. I was lucky in that I had more than 12 years to "think about" my inevitable kidney failure and decide what to do about it. My choice was very deliberate and thoroughly thought-through and researched prior to the point in which the decision needed to be made.
As you all know by now, my choice was hemodialysis which I've faithfully attended since January of 2004. Many along my journey have asked me why I didn't want or why I didn't get a transplant from the beginning. My answer is as simple as my original decision: I didn't want a transplant at the beginning because I wasn't ready to accept all possible outcomes of what a transplant entails. Sometimes this answer confuses those who don't live with kidney disease or really understand what its like to have a life-long chronic health issue. For those of you unfamiliar, let me outline the possible outcomes of a transplant from worst (rarest) to best case (more common) scenario:
1. Death during surgery as a result of complications of the surgery or other contributing pre-existing health conditions.
2. Death as a result of a secondary infection caused by the There are several ways to treat kidney disease and failure. Many people who are diagnosed with inevitable kidney failure choose to treat their disease by receiving a transplant before they need another form of renal replacement therapy (i.e. dialysis) I know several people who have gone this route with very successful results - never needing dialysis! Others, for personal, religious or circumstantial reasons that outright disqualify them for a transplant (age, other health problems, etc.) never apply for a transplant and instead choose dialysis as a life-long, permanent treatment. Others, unfortunately, have no treatment options available to them and without treatment for kidney failure they pass away.
Which brings us to deciding which treatment to choose - or more specifically how I chose my treatment path.
I have always been keenly aware of my options, the possible outcomes and the long-term prognosis for each. I was lucky in that I had more than 12 years to "think about" my inevitable kidney failure and decide what to do about it. My choice was very deliberate and thoroughly thought-through and researched prior to the point in which the decision needed to be made.
As you all know by now, my choice was hemodialysis which I've faithfully attended since January of 2004. Many along my journey have asked me why I didn't want or why I didn't get a transplant from the beginning. My answer is as simple as my original decision: I didn't want a transplant at the beginning because I wasn't ready to accept all possible outcomes of what a transplant entails. Sometimes this answer confuses those who don't live with kidney disease or really understand what its like to have a life-long chronic health issue. For those of you unfamiliar, let me outline the possible outcomes of a transplant from worst (rarest) to best case (more common) scenario:
1. Death during surgery as a result of complications of the surgery or other contributing pre-existing health conditions.
2. Death as a result of a secondary infection caused by the immune system being over-compromised.
3. Death as a result of toxic levels of anti-rejection pharmaceutical levels in the body.
4. The transplanted organ (known as the "graft") is successfully transplanted but then never begins working, therefore requiring other Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) a.k.a. dialysis.
5. Acute, early-onset graft rejection, ending in total rejection, and the need for other RRT.
6. Chronic graft rejection, eventually (over months, or years) ending in total rejection and the need for other RRT.
7. Re-occurrence of the original kidney disease that destroyed the native kidneys, eventually ending in the need for other RRT.
8. Short-term (less than 5 years) graft survival with an event or illness contributing to secondary kidney failure ending in the need for other RRT.
9. Long-term (longer than 5 years) graft survival with eventual secondary kidney failure ending in the need for other RRT.
10. Long-term graft survival with never needing additional RRT for the lifetime of the individual.
As this entry comes full-circle I will answer my own question: "Can I accept all possible outcomes of what happens tomorrow and in the coming weeks, months and years?"
YES I can. I'm ready, I'm at peace and I'm in a positive place. It took me a little over three years on dialysis to get here, but it was worth every treatment, every needle stick, every scar, every ache and pain and all the experiences of dialysis. Dialysis taught me that even if this transplant doesn't work, I can still live my life and continue being who I am. While I'm very optimistic about tomorrow, I am also realistic and I'll take what I get. Its out of my hands and into the hands of the doctors, and as some say, fate.
Causes of kidney failure
Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to excrete wastes and to help maintain the electrolyte balance.Kidney failure is of 2 types:Acute and Chronic.
1.Acute renal failure is caused by blockages of kidneys,physical injury and complications of surgery.There will be a sudden impairment in kidney function and build up of toxins in blood.
The causes are
a.Acute glomerulonephritis-It is an inflammatory disorder of the kidney.
b.Kidney stones that cause obstruction in the kidney.
c.Other reasons as heat stroke,fluid depletion,electrolyte imbalance,heart and liver failure and some complications of old age.
3.Chronic renal failure:It is the gradual decrease in function of kidneys.
The causes are:
a.Chronic glomerulonephritis of kidneys.
b.Hypertension,diabete s.
c.Tuberculosis of kidneys.
D.Toxic chemicals affecting the body.
Chronic renal failure is common and is usually diagnosed only at the end stages of disease.
The signs and symptoms depend on the type of renal failure.
Renal failure is treatable and disease can be prevented by prevention of causative risk factors as Cardiac failure.Control of blood sugar in diabetes,blood pressure,proper diet and exercise,avoiding smoking and drug overdose helps to
prevent the kidney failure.
1.Acute renal failure is caused by blockages of kidneys,physical injury and complications of surgery.There will be a sudden impairment in kidney function and build up of toxins in blood.
The causes are
a.Acute glomerulonephritis-It is an inflammatory disorder of the kidney.
b.Kidney stones that cause obstruction in the kidney.
c.Other reasons as heat stroke,fluid depletion,electrolyte imbalance,heart and liver failure and some complications of old age.
3.Chronic renal failure:It is the gradual decrease in function of kidneys.
The causes are:
a.Chronic glomerulonephritis of kidneys.
b.Hypertension,diabete s.
c.Tuberculosis of kidneys.
D.Toxic chemicals affecting the body.
Chronic renal failure is common and is usually diagnosed only at the end stages of disease.
The signs and symptoms depend on the type of renal failure.
Renal failure is treatable and disease can be prevented by prevention of causative risk factors as Cardiac failure.Control of blood sugar in diabetes,blood pressure,proper diet and exercise,avoiding smoking and drug overdose helps to
prevent the kidney failure.
Exercise and links to kidney failure
Exercise and Kidney Failure
Most exercise advice or programs contain the warning to start slow and add more weight, or increase your cardio workout, as you gain strength and stamina. Many of us probably assume that this advice is to prevent stressing our unprepared hearts and to avoid sore muscles. But did you know that extreme exercise with an untrained body can also lead to kidney failure?
The name of the condition is Rhabdomyolysis. It happens when damage occurs to skeletal muscles, causing them to break down and release myoglobin (the oxygen carrying pigment in muscle), creatine kinase, electrolytes and enzymes into the blood. Skeletal muscles are in the legs and arms. When they incur injury, the by-products from their destruction can collect in the renal tubules and produce Acute Renal Failure.
Along with muscle damage, some other causes of Rhabdomyolysis are electrical shock, crushing injuries and some cholesterol lowering medications. It is also a frequent complication for burn victims. Symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis include muscle stiffness, tenderness or weakness and dark red or cola colored urine. You may also experience rapid heartbeat, confusion, irritation, nausea, vomiting and difficulty breathing.
If you think you have Rhabdomyolysis, you need to go to your hospital's emergency department, as it is a life threatening condition. There they will draw blood to check for a high myoglobin level, the presence of creatine kinase, and other related labs, to get a diagnosis. After a confirmed diagnosis, they will likely admit you into the hospital for aggressive hydration, to help flush the myoglobin, and other harmful substances, from your body. The IV fluid may contain sodium bicarbonate to help alkalinize your urine. Urinary alkalinization increases myoglobin solubility in the urine, helping it to exit your body and decreasing the possible damage to your kidneys. The goal, of course, is to bring your system back into balance and to prevent renal failure.
IV hydration will often be enough to avoid severe complications. If IV fluids are not enough to reverse the chemical imbalance, you may need a blood transfusion, kidney dialysis or even surgery to relieve the pressure on blood vessels and nerves caused by swollen muscles. With prompt medical attention, though, you can normally expect a full recovery from Rhabdomyolysis and may be able to leave the hospital in only a day or two.
So remember, eat healthy and exercise smart. Start all new exercise regimes slowly and add more as you get stronger. Exercising the correct way makes your heart happy, lowers your blood pressure, helps you maintain an appropriate weight and helps to make, and keep, you healthy.
Most exercise advice or programs contain the warning to start slow and add more weight, or increase your cardio workout, as you gain strength and stamina. Many of us probably assume that this advice is to prevent stressing our unprepared hearts and to avoid sore muscles. But did you know that extreme exercise with an untrained body can also lead to kidney failure?
The name of the condition is Rhabdomyolysis. It happens when damage occurs to skeletal muscles, causing them to break down and release myoglobin (the oxygen carrying pigment in muscle), creatine kinase, electrolytes and enzymes into the blood. Skeletal muscles are in the legs and arms. When they incur injury, the by-products from their destruction can collect in the renal tubules and produce Acute Renal Failure.
Along with muscle damage, some other causes of Rhabdomyolysis are electrical shock, crushing injuries and some cholesterol lowering medications. It is also a frequent complication for burn victims. Symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis include muscle stiffness, tenderness or weakness and dark red or cola colored urine. You may also experience rapid heartbeat, confusion, irritation, nausea, vomiting and difficulty breathing.
If you think you have Rhabdomyolysis, you need to go to your hospital's emergency department, as it is a life threatening condition. There they will draw blood to check for a high myoglobin level, the presence of creatine kinase, and other related labs, to get a diagnosis. After a confirmed diagnosis, they will likely admit you into the hospital for aggressive hydration, to help flush the myoglobin, and other harmful substances, from your body. The IV fluid may contain sodium bicarbonate to help alkalinize your urine. Urinary alkalinization increases myoglobin solubility in the urine, helping it to exit your body and decreasing the possible damage to your kidneys. The goal, of course, is to bring your system back into balance and to prevent renal failure.
IV hydration will often be enough to avoid severe complications. If IV fluids are not enough to reverse the chemical imbalance, you may need a blood transfusion, kidney dialysis or even surgery to relieve the pressure on blood vessels and nerves caused by swollen muscles. With prompt medical attention, though, you can normally expect a full recovery from Rhabdomyolysis and may be able to leave the hospital in only a day or two.
So remember, eat healthy and exercise smart. Start all new exercise regimes slowly and add more as you get stronger. Exercising the correct way makes your heart happy, lowers your blood pressure, helps you maintain an appropriate weight and helps to make, and keep, you healthy.
Symptoms of chronic renal failure
Chronic Renal Failure will usually happen in stages and not all at once. The frequent causes of CRF are from:
1. Uncontrolled diabetes type 1 and type 2
2. Uncontrolled Hypertension
3. Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
4. Polycystic Kidney Disease
5. Glomerulonephritis is a chronic kidney destructive problem that gradually tears away at the glomeruli in the kidney.
When you are having chronic renal failure, your kidneys are slowly dying until your kidneys reach end-stage-renal failure. In the earliest stages of chronic renal failure, there will hardly be any symptoms that are noticed. As it continues to progress however, symptoms will slowly appear. The symptoms that are the most common as chronic renal failure progresses are:
1. Hiccups
2. Tiredness
3. Malaise (Unwell feeling)
4. Sick to your stomach and throwing up meals a lot
5. Weight loss that is unexplainable
6. Bad headache pain
7. Intensive itching that will drive you crazy
8. Hypertension
9. There is a high amount of protein in the urine
As chronic renal failure goes on, there will be some very debilitating symptoms that will continue. These prominent symptoms are those like:
1. You are vomiting up blood
2. Not producing very much if any urine, and what little produced is blood, (hematuria)
3. Not feeling anything, (the sensory nerves being affected)
4. Leg cramps
5. Urea on the skin and breath which is in the form of a chalky type of white substance
When urea is appearing on the skin, it means uremia, which is a fancy medical term for kidney failure.
Blood tests in chronic renal failure in the first stages will not be that bad. But as this process goes on, the blood tests will show some very poor results.
Creatnine blood levels will rise, and the glomerular filtration rate (gfr) will steadily drop. This is telling you that your kidneys want to perform less and less.
BUN, which is Blood Urea Nitrogen tells whether or not the urea is being processed well by the kidneys or not. A level that is starting to rise above 39 or more means trouble.
A blood test for potassium is going to be high, reflecting that the kidneys are not processing your potassium and letting it become toxic to you in your blood.
Sodium levels may also be out of sight in the bloodstream. This is another key factor that kidneys are not letting go of sodium properly, and therefore, this too builds up in the blood.
Calcium levels will be high too since kidneys will not process calcium either due to the fact that nephrons are being destroyed.
The whole goal of treating chronic renal failure is to slow down the process so that you can stay clear of actual kidney failure altogether for as long as possible.
Diuretics will be part of your care regime as well as potassium binders which hold back the potassium levels from going too high. The diuretic medications will get rid of excess water as long as you are still making urine. Calcium binders will be added as well since calcium is another substance that is going to build up extremely high from the kidneys failing to process it in the blood.
A special diet is a must for those with advanced stages of chronic renal failure. Part of the diet is fluid restrictions since urine production gradually declines. Your intake of sodium, potassium, and calcium will be limited to certain amounts daily. A specialized dietitian will need to sit down with you to work out your daily dietary plans according to your kidney doctor's recommendations.
Above all, chronic renal failure must be monitored carefully by your doctor in order for you to receive proper treatments. Dialysis will definitely occur in the later stages of chronic renal failure since that is the only way to survive when kidney function (gfr) is under 15% or less.
1. Uncontrolled diabetes type 1 and type 2
2. Uncontrolled Hypertension
3. Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
4. Polycystic Kidney Disease
5. Glomerulonephritis is a chronic kidney destructive problem that gradually tears away at the glomeruli in the kidney.
When you are having chronic renal failure, your kidneys are slowly dying until your kidneys reach end-stage-renal failure. In the earliest stages of chronic renal failure, there will hardly be any symptoms that are noticed. As it continues to progress however, symptoms will slowly appear. The symptoms that are the most common as chronic renal failure progresses are:
1. Hiccups
2. Tiredness
3. Malaise (Unwell feeling)
4. Sick to your stomach and throwing up meals a lot
5. Weight loss that is unexplainable
6. Bad headache pain
7. Intensive itching that will drive you crazy
8. Hypertension
9. There is a high amount of protein in the urine
As chronic renal failure goes on, there will be some very debilitating symptoms that will continue. These prominent symptoms are those like:
1. You are vomiting up blood
2. Not producing very much if any urine, and what little produced is blood, (hematuria)
3. Not feeling anything, (the sensory nerves being affected)
4. Leg cramps
5. Urea on the skin and breath which is in the form of a chalky type of white substance
When urea is appearing on the skin, it means uremia, which is a fancy medical term for kidney failure.
Blood tests in chronic renal failure in the first stages will not be that bad. But as this process goes on, the blood tests will show some very poor results.
Creatnine blood levels will rise, and the glomerular filtration rate (gfr) will steadily drop. This is telling you that your kidneys want to perform less and less.
BUN, which is Blood Urea Nitrogen tells whether or not the urea is being processed well by the kidneys or not. A level that is starting to rise above 39 or more means trouble.
A blood test for potassium is going to be high, reflecting that the kidneys are not processing your potassium and letting it become toxic to you in your blood.
Sodium levels may also be out of sight in the bloodstream. This is another key factor that kidneys are not letting go of sodium properly, and therefore, this too builds up in the blood.
Calcium levels will be high too since kidneys will not process calcium either due to the fact that nephrons are being destroyed.
The whole goal of treating chronic renal failure is to slow down the process so that you can stay clear of actual kidney failure altogether for as long as possible.
Diuretics will be part of your care regime as well as potassium binders which hold back the potassium levels from going too high. The diuretic medications will get rid of excess water as long as you are still making urine. Calcium binders will be added as well since calcium is another substance that is going to build up extremely high from the kidneys failing to process it in the blood.
A special diet is a must for those with advanced stages of chronic renal failure. Part of the diet is fluid restrictions since urine production gradually declines. Your intake of sodium, potassium, and calcium will be limited to certain amounts daily. A specialized dietitian will need to sit down with you to work out your daily dietary plans according to your kidney doctor's recommendations.
Above all, chronic renal failure must be monitored carefully by your doctor in order for you to receive proper treatments. Dialysis will definitely occur in the later stages of chronic renal failure since that is the only way to survive when kidney function (gfr) is under 15% or less.
Understanding heart disease
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is a number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart.
Types of heart disease include:
Coronary artery disease (CAD): Is the most common type and is the leading cause of heart attacks. When you have CAD, your arteries become hard and narrow. Blood has a hard time getting to the heart, so the heart does not get all the blood it needs. Heart gets less blood and less blood results in death.
CAD can lead to:
Angina. Angina is chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart does not get enough blood. It may feel like a pressing or squeezing pain, often in the chest, but sometimes the pain is in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. It can also feel like indigestion (upset stomach). Angina is not a heart attack, but having angina means you are more likely to have a heart attack. or Angina means that you are close to heart attack.
Heart attack. A heart attack occurs when an artery is severely or completely blocked, and the heart does not get the blood it needs for more than 20 minutes.
Heart failure occurs when the heart is not able to pump blood through the body as well as it should. This means that other organs, which normally get blood from the heart, do not get enough blood. It does NOT mean that the heart stops. Signs of heart failure include:
Shortness of breath (feeling like you can't get enough air)
Swelling in feet, ankles, and legs
Extreme tiredness
If you feel any problem or you get heart attack, call 911 right away
Heart disease is a number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart.
Types of heart disease include:
Coronary artery disease (CAD): Is the most common type and is the leading cause of heart attacks. When you have CAD, your arteries become hard and narrow. Blood has a hard time getting to the heart, so the heart does not get all the blood it needs. Heart gets less blood and less blood results in death.
CAD can lead to:
Angina. Angina is chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart does not get enough blood. It may feel like a pressing or squeezing pain, often in the chest, but sometimes the pain is in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. It can also feel like indigestion (upset stomach). Angina is not a heart attack, but having angina means you are more likely to have a heart attack. or Angina means that you are close to heart attack.
Heart attack. A heart attack occurs when an artery is severely or completely blocked, and the heart does not get the blood it needs for more than 20 minutes.
Heart failure occurs when the heart is not able to pump blood through the body as well as it should. This means that other organs, which normally get blood from the heart, do not get enough blood. It does NOT mean that the heart stops. Signs of heart failure include:
Shortness of breath (feeling like you can't get enough air)
Swelling in feet, ankles, and legs
Extreme tiredness
If you feel any problem or you get heart attack, call 911 right away
Congenital heart defects: Ventricular septal defects
A ventricular septal defect is the most common heart defect seen in newborns. They account for up to 25% of all cases of congenital heart disease seen in children. The severity of a ventricular septal defect can vary tremendously from child to child. In over 75% of cases these defects correct themselves by the age of 10. There are medical and surgical therapies available to fix the problems if they do not resolve on their own.
The heart begins development in a fetus at a very young age. Approximately twenty-two days after conception, the heart becomes sufficiently developed to be capable of beating. This corresponds roughly to the fifth week of pregnancy - pretty fast, isn't it? When it first begins forming in the fetus, the heart is a straight tube. This tube then twists and turns itself into the structure that we know as the heart. Sometimes these twists and turns do not form properly. This can lead to the development of a ventricular septal defect.
A fully formed heart has four chambers. The two upper chambers are called the atria. The two lower chambers are the ventricles. Separating the ventricles is a wall of heart muscle known as a septum. Ventricular septal defects occur when there is a small hole in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart. From time to time, this septum will not develop properly, leaving a small hole that blood can flow through.
There are several sub-types of ventricular septal defects, depending on the exact location of the hole. Sometimes one of the heart valves (usually the mitral or tricuspid valves) will be involved in the defect.
Most ventricular septal defects will close without medical intervention. By age 3, over 40% of ventricular septal defects will heal themselves. By age 10, over 75% of infants born with a ventricular septal defect will have complete resolution of the problem. In some cases it may be necessary to perform surgery to close the hole.
The severity of the ventricular septal defect is related to how large the hole is. Obviously, larger holes cause more problems than smaller holes. Small holes allow extra blood to flow from the left side of the heart, which is typically at higher pressures, to the right side. If the hole is large enough, a series of pressure alterations in the vasculature involving the heart and lungs can cause the blood to start flowing from the right side to the left. This is a more severe condition, which actually has a name - Eisenmenger's Syndrome.
(This is a great answer to an obscure trivia question - What is the name of the syndrome caused by a large VSD where the shunt of blood goes from right to left? Answer: Eisenmenger's Syndrome! Think of the hit you'll be at parties!)
Symptoms are also related to the size of the hole. Small holes will generally be unnoticed by the infant. If the heart of the effected infant is listened to, it is often possible to hear a murmur. Although murmurs are very common in newborns and distinguishing a harmful one from a transient "normal" murmur can be quite difficult. ECGs and echocardiograms are the most useful tests to find a ventricular septal defect in a newborn.
The heart begins development in a fetus at a very young age. Approximately twenty-two days after conception, the heart becomes sufficiently developed to be capable of beating. This corresponds roughly to the fifth week of pregnancy - pretty fast, isn't it? When it first begins forming in the fetus, the heart is a straight tube. This tube then twists and turns itself into the structure that we know as the heart. Sometimes these twists and turns do not form properly. This can lead to the development of a ventricular septal defect.
A fully formed heart has four chambers. The two upper chambers are called the atria. The two lower chambers are the ventricles. Separating the ventricles is a wall of heart muscle known as a septum. Ventricular septal defects occur when there is a small hole in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart. From time to time, this septum will not develop properly, leaving a small hole that blood can flow through.
There are several sub-types of ventricular septal defects, depending on the exact location of the hole. Sometimes one of the heart valves (usually the mitral or tricuspid valves) will be involved in the defect.
Most ventricular septal defects will close without medical intervention. By age 3, over 40% of ventricular septal defects will heal themselves. By age 10, over 75% of infants born with a ventricular septal defect will have complete resolution of the problem. In some cases it may be necessary to perform surgery to close the hole.
The severity of the ventricular septal defect is related to how large the hole is. Obviously, larger holes cause more problems than smaller holes. Small holes allow extra blood to flow from the left side of the heart, which is typically at higher pressures, to the right side. If the hole is large enough, a series of pressure alterations in the vasculature involving the heart and lungs can cause the blood to start flowing from the right side to the left. This is a more severe condition, which actually has a name - Eisenmenger's Syndrome.
(This is a great answer to an obscure trivia question - What is the name of the syndrome caused by a large VSD where the shunt of blood goes from right to left? Answer: Eisenmenger's Syndrome! Think of the hit you'll be at parties!)
Symptoms are also related to the size of the hole. Small holes will generally be unnoticed by the infant. If the heart of the effected infant is listened to, it is often possible to hear a murmur. Although murmurs are very common in newborns and distinguishing a harmful one from a transient "normal" murmur can be quite difficult. ECGs and echocardiograms are the most useful tests to find a ventricular septal defect in a newborn.
What is Myocarditis?
The myocardium, or muscle around the heart, can get infected or inflamed in the body. When this inflammation occurs, doctors call that myocarditis. It has clear signs and symptoms, if varied. If there is any strange feelings in the chest cavity area, one should see an emergency healthcare provider so that they can do a cardiac workup. Typically all the signs and symptoms will be due to an infection in the myocardium.
How many people that have myocarditis is unknown but usually it turns up in 1-9% of all autopsies that are reviewed. It is more common in young adults (20%) and those with HIV infections (50%). There are some treatments where the patient gets bed rest and ACE inhibitors, digoxin, and diuretics. If no response is from those items, some heart transplants are done.Getting fast treatment is a key to the prognosis of the condition.
Signs and Symptoms of Myocarditis
Some of the signs and symptoms will depend on what is causing the myocarditis. Basic symptoms include:
Congestive heart failure. Heart palpitations. Chest Pain Fever Sudden death
If caused by a viral condition there will be:
Rash Diarrhea Fatigue Joint pain
What Causes Myocarditis
There are several things that can cause myocarditis in people. Some of these are:
Fungal infections
Bacterial infections
Viral infections
Parasitic infections
Drug toxins (chemotherapy, antipsychotics)
Radiation
Electric Shock
Allergic Reaction
Heart Transplant rejection
Heavy metal toxins
Autoantigens (lupus, sarcoidosis)
Other Toxins
Myocarditis Diagnosed
The condition can be detected from raised C Reactive protein or with some ECG (electrocardiogram) results. If there is any debate on whether it is myocarditis or not, a biopsy can always be done where a small sample is taken and examined. There are times when a cMRI (a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging) can be used to diagnose. If there is any symptom that you are experiencing that could be an inflammation or infection in the chest wall, don't take chances and schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Myocarditis is a serious inflammation affecting the chest wall that can result in sudden cardiac death. If you have any heart palpitations, fever, and chest pain together, go see a healthcare professional immediately for a complete cardiac workup. Take a proactive view of your cardiac health and don't be guessing what is healthy and what is not. Better to be safe and it be indigestion, than sorry when it's a heart attack or myocarditis.
How many people that have myocarditis is unknown but usually it turns up in 1-9% of all autopsies that are reviewed. It is more common in young adults (20%) and those with HIV infections (50%). There are some treatments where the patient gets bed rest and ACE inhibitors, digoxin, and diuretics. If no response is from those items, some heart transplants are done.Getting fast treatment is a key to the prognosis of the condition.
Signs and Symptoms of Myocarditis
Some of the signs and symptoms will depend on what is causing the myocarditis. Basic symptoms include:
Congestive heart failure. Heart palpitations. Chest Pain Fever Sudden death
If caused by a viral condition there will be:
Rash Diarrhea Fatigue Joint pain
What Causes Myocarditis
There are several things that can cause myocarditis in people. Some of these are:
Fungal infections
Bacterial infections
Viral infections
Parasitic infections
Drug toxins (chemotherapy, antipsychotics)
Radiation
Electric Shock
Allergic Reaction
Heart Transplant rejection
Heavy metal toxins
Autoantigens (lupus, sarcoidosis)
Other Toxins
Myocarditis Diagnosed
The condition can be detected from raised C Reactive protein or with some ECG (electrocardiogram) results. If there is any debate on whether it is myocarditis or not, a biopsy can always be done where a small sample is taken and examined. There are times when a cMRI (a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging) can be used to diagnose. If there is any symptom that you are experiencing that could be an inflammation or infection in the chest wall, don't take chances and schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Myocarditis is a serious inflammation affecting the chest wall that can result in sudden cardiac death. If you have any heart palpitations, fever, and chest pain together, go see a healthcare professional immediately for a complete cardiac workup. Take a proactive view of your cardiac health and don't be guessing what is healthy and what is not. Better to be safe and it be indigestion, than sorry when it's a heart attack or myocarditis.
Myocarditis: Symptoms and what to look out for
What is this you ask? Well according to wikipedia myocarditis is defined as inflammation of the myocardium, the muscular part of the heart. It is generally due to infection (viral or bacterial). It may present with chest pain, rapid signs of heart failure, or sudden death.
Symptoms of myocarditis include chest pain (which can be described as a stabbing), palpitations or arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart beat, shortness of breath, joint pain, leg swelling, history of preceding viral illness, inability to lie flat, low urine output, sudden death*, and fever.
Often times myocarditis is caused by a viral illness, patients give symptoms consistent with recent viral infection, which includes fever, joint pains, diarrhea, and fatigue. It is common to have total lack of symptoms.
Tests to check for myocarditis include a chest x-ray, EKG, echocardiogram, white & red blood cell count.
Treatment for this disease include evaluation and treatment of underlying cause. This may include antibiotics, reduced activity, and low salt diet. If the heart muscle is very weak then medicines that treat heart failure are used as well. If there is abnormal heart beat detected then additional medications may be required. If a blood clot is present then a blood thinner is given as well. Some people may recover from this disease and others may have permanent damage.
If you show any signs of myocarditis please contact your healthcare provider especially if you have recently suffered from an infection.
If you are suffering from myocarditis contact your healthcare provider if you suffer from increased swelling, chest pain, difficulty breathing and or new symptoms.
If all of this doesn't sound bad enough my son was 4 months old when he developed this. Heart failure & baby are 2 words that should never be together. In this instance it was. I am happy to report that he is much better. He is followed by a cardiologist to make sure that this does not happen again. His cardiologist told us that once you have had this condition it is much easier to get it again.
*myocarditis causes up to 20% of all cases in young adults sudden death
http://en.wikipedia.org/w iki/Myocarditis
http://www.nlm. nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/artic le/000149.htm
Just a little bit of information for those that had never heard of this or didn't know what it was. Just so you know anyone that is in a weakened condition can develop this. Just like the article said my son was just getting over what appeared to be a cold and was being treated by his pediatrician for such. We had just been to his Dr for a follow up to be sure he was better from what appeared to be an average cold. He had just gotten off antibiotics when we took him into the ER for shortness of breath. What appeared to be an average cold turned out to be much worse. The Dr's explained to us that it turned and attacked his heart causing myocarditis.
Symptoms of myocarditis include chest pain (which can be described as a stabbing), palpitations or arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart beat, shortness of breath, joint pain, leg swelling, history of preceding viral illness, inability to lie flat, low urine output, sudden death*, and fever.
Often times myocarditis is caused by a viral illness, patients give symptoms consistent with recent viral infection, which includes fever, joint pains, diarrhea, and fatigue. It is common to have total lack of symptoms.
Tests to check for myocarditis include a chest x-ray, EKG, echocardiogram, white & red blood cell count.
Treatment for this disease include evaluation and treatment of underlying cause. This may include antibiotics, reduced activity, and low salt diet. If the heart muscle is very weak then medicines that treat heart failure are used as well. If there is abnormal heart beat detected then additional medications may be required. If a blood clot is present then a blood thinner is given as well. Some people may recover from this disease and others may have permanent damage.
If you show any signs of myocarditis please contact your healthcare provider especially if you have recently suffered from an infection.
If you are suffering from myocarditis contact your healthcare provider if you suffer from increased swelling, chest pain, difficulty breathing and or new symptoms.
If all of this doesn't sound bad enough my son was 4 months old when he developed this. Heart failure & baby are 2 words that should never be together. In this instance it was. I am happy to report that he is much better. He is followed by a cardiologist to make sure that this does not happen again. His cardiologist told us that once you have had this condition it is much easier to get it again.
*myocarditis causes up to 20% of all cases in young adults sudden death
http://en.wikipedia.org/w iki/Myocarditis
http://www.nlm. nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/artic le/000149.htm
Just a little bit of information for those that had never heard of this or didn't know what it was. Just so you know anyone that is in a weakened condition can develop this. Just like the article said my son was just getting over what appeared to be a cold and was being treated by his pediatrician for such. We had just been to his Dr for a follow up to be sure he was better from what appeared to be an average cold. He had just gotten off antibiotics when we took him into the ER for shortness of breath. What appeared to be an average cold turned out to be much worse. The Dr's explained to us that it turned and attacked his heart causing myocarditis.
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