Sandy Crest Medical Centre - Health Tips
Asthma
Asthma is a disease of the lungs that involves
constriction of the muscles around the small airways as well as an
inflammatory response within these airways. These reactions occur in
response to environmental agents like dust, smoke etc or exercise.
This constriction and inflammation greatly reduces the passage
through which air flows and may cause a high pitched sound known as
wheezing. This gives the characteristic symptoms of chest tightness,
shortness of breath and cough. Management is aimed at dilating the
airway and reducing the inflammation. This is achieved by use of
inhalers or nebulisations. In addition the inflammatory aspect is
treated by using a steroid medication. The steroid may be
administered in an inhaled, liquid or tablet formulation. In people
who have frequent attacks the steroid inhaler is used twice daily
and this prevents inflammation from building up in the airways.
However, if an attack occurs, then the rescue inhaler (Ventolin /
Barotec) or nebulisations are used to treat the sudden onset of
symptoms. There is no cure for asthma.
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