The cause of asthma is not generally known but abnormal conditions occur in the body that can cause the symptoms of tightness in the chest, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Early signs may surface after a person has had bouts of reoccurring bronchitis. Onset can happen to any age group but is more common in children than adults. Allergy related attacks may include swelling of the throat and narrowing of air passage ways. Abnormal conditions associated with attacks are contractions of the muscles, as well as inflammation and fluid in the airways. Over the counter asthma medication can reduce the swelling and inflammation as well as opening the airways.
Epinephrine is a medication that relaxes muscles located in the airways making it easier to breathe. In addition to the epinephrine an expectorant may be included in some OTC solutions. Expectorants help to open the airway by loosening mucus. Loratadine or other antihistamines may provide allergy asthma relief but should be taken on a daily basis for it to work effectively. Antihistamines are often used as a preventive treatment and will minimize symptoms associated with allergens that lead to an attack. Nasal sprays that contain steroids are often prescribed to patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma to help prevent episodes.
Some medications can bring on an attack and should be avoided by patients. Others can react with over the counter asthma medication used to open the airways. Some of the main ones to avoid are beta-blockers and monoamine oxidase inhibitors normally prescribed for blood pressure patients and tricyclic anti-depressants normally prescribed to patients suffering from depression and anxiety. Some patients are sensitive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and may have an attack after taking them. Children with the condition should be watched carefully after giving NSAIDs and other analgesics to make sure that the medication doesn’t trigger an attack. Parents who have children that have the condition may worry and feel extreme stress. One important thing to remember is that God loves children and is watching over them. “But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14)
Management of asthma includes being aware of substances that trigger attacks. Common allergens are pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, cigarette smoke, latex, detergents, perfumes, dyes, cleaning solutions that contain toxic chemicals, and foods such as peanuts, dairy products, eggs, and wheat. Other triggers may include weather changes, indoor and outdoor pollution, exercise, changes in hormones, and stress. Attacks may be more prevalent in the morning or at night and during times of extreme stress. When a patient has frequent episodes finding out what is causing them should be paramount for allergy asthma relief.
Asthma is more prominent in children than adults and sometimes a child will seem to outgrow the bad symptoms by the time he or she reaches age 5 but that does not mean that it won’t reoccur later on. The condition seems to run in families and oftentimes children who have it will also have other conditions such as hay fever or eczema. There are some disorders that have similar symptoms as asthma so seeing a doctor for a diagnosis is important even if over the counter asthma medication seems to help. Medical tests can help a physician rule out other possible causes for symptoms and make an informed diagnosis. Other conditions that have similar symptoms may include tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute bronchitis, and respiratory infection.
A physician may need to know a few details especially when the patient is being evaluated for the condition for the first time. Keeping track of symptoms for a short period of time before a doctor’s appointment will be useful in the kind of treatment that is prescribed. Write down any over the counter asthma medication that were used to treat the symptoms and how often they were used. The doctor will need to determine the severity of the condition in order to determine how much medication may need to be prescribed. Pay attention to when episodes occur, if sleep is disrupted, if attacks have occurred during exercise, and any known triggers that seem to make attacks worse.
Treatment should decrease inflammation thereby making attacks less frequent and less uncomfortable when they do happen. Allergy asthma relief will also help the patient who is fearful and stressed over his or her condition to remain calm and composed. Current prescribed treatments usually include controlled drugs called glucocorticoids and bronchodilators. Both of these drugs can be prescribed to be given orally or by using an inhaler. Doctors often recommend that children use a breathing machine until they can learn to use an inhaler. The medication is put into the breathing mask and held over the child’s face for optimal intake. Side effects of prolonged exposure to prescription drugs may include growth retardation in children, hypertension, diabetes, muscle weakness, and obesity.
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