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Tips for Dealing With Impulse-Control Behaviors in Parkinson’s Disease
Stopping the Spread of Germs
Microbes are tiny organisms that live in plants, animals, and even the human body. Microbes that cause infectious diseases are commonly referred to as germs or bugs. Infectious diseases are responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other single cause. Health care experts estimate about $120 billion is spent in the U.S. on medical costs annually for treating infectious diseases.
What is an infectious disease?
Some common diseases and infections include:
- Common cold
- Genital herpes
- Influenza (flu)
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia
- Shingles
- Strep throat
- Urinary tract infection
How do I know if I’m at risk?
Different types of germs spread in different ways. For example, viruses that cause colds or flu are often passed through the air by coughing or sneezing. Close contact through kissing can spread oral bacteria, and bacteria that cause HIV and genital herpes can be transmitted during sexual contact. Other sources of germs may include:
- Touching infectious material, such as feces
- Household pets, which can spread meningitis through their saliva
- Small animals and insects, such as rats, mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks
- Contaminated food or water, such as undercooked meat or water infected by animal waste
- Transplanted animal organs, such as pig hearts used in humans
Although anyone can spread or catch an infectious disease, including healthy people, those with a weakened immune system (eg, taking steroids, have HIV/AIDS, very old or very young in age) may be more likely to get sick.
What are the symptoms?
Each sickness comes with its own specific set of symptoms. The most common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
Are there complications?
Some infections can make you very sick quickly and then not bother you again, whereas others can damage body tissues and last forever.
- Acute infections are usually very severe and last a short time. Once the body’s immune system has successfully fought off the infection, it doesn’t come back.
- Chronic infections often develop from acute infections and can last for days to months to a lifetime. Because some people with chronic infections are unaware they are infected, they may be able to pass the germ to others.
- Latent infections are “hidden” or “silent” and may cause symptoms that come and go for many months or years.
Some infections—such as pneumonia, AIDS, and meningitis—can become life-threatening. A few types of infections, like human papillomavirus, Helicobacter pylori, and Epstein-Barr virus, have been linked to a long-term increased risk of cancer.
How can I prevent it?
To decrease the risk of infecting yourself or others:
- Wash your hands, especially before and after preparing food, before eating, and after using the toilet.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose, and mouth, which can spread airborne germs.
- Get vaccinated to drastically reduce your chances of contracting many diseases. If you plan to travel outside of the U.S., getting recommended immunizations is very important.
- Stay home from work, school, and errands if you are vomiting, have diarrhea, or are running a fever.
- Prepare food safely by keeping counters and other kitchen surfaces clean. Always cook foods to the proper recommended temperature, and promptly refrigerate any leftovers.
- Practice safe sex. Always use condoms if you or your partner has a history of sexually transmitted infections or high-risk behavior.
- Don’t share personal items, such as a toothbrush, razor, drinking glass, or dining utensil.
When should I see a doctor?
You should seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Have been bitten by an animal
- Are having trouble breathing
- Have been coughing for more than a week
- Have a fever over 100°F
- Have episodes of rapid heartbeat
- Experience a rash or swelling
- Have sudden vision problems
- Have been vomiting
What tests will I need?
Your doctor may order lab work or imaging scans to help determine what’s causing your symptoms.
Laboratory tests
Many infectious diseases have similar signs and symptoms. Samples of your body fluids can sometimes reveal evidence of the particular microbe that’s causing your illness. This helps your doctor choose the right treatment for you.
- Blood tests. A technician obtains a sample of your blood by inserting a needle into a vein, usually in your arm.
- Urine tests. This test requires you to urinate into a container.
- Swabs. Samples from your throat or other areas of your body may be obtained with a sterile swab.
- Stool sample. You may be instructed to collect a stool sample so a lab can check the sample for parasites and other organisms.
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). During this procedure a sample of your cerebrospinal fluid is obtained through a needle carefully inserted between the bones of your lower spine.
Imaging scans.
- Imaging procedures—such as X-rays, CT (computerized tomography), and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)—can help pinpoint diagnoses and rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
Biopsies
- During a biopsy, a tiny sample of tissue is taken from an internal organ for testing.
How is it treated?
Knowing what type of germ is causing your illness makes it easier for your doctor to choose appropriate treatment.
- Antibiotics are reserved for bacterial infections, because these types of drugs have no effect on illnesses caused by viruses.
- Antiviral drugs have been developed to treat some, but not all, viruses, including AIDS, herpes, hepatitis B and C, and influenza (flu).
- Antifungals are drugs that treat severe fungal infections, which can affect the lungs or the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
- Antiparasitics are used to treat diseases, such as malaria, caused by tiny parasites.
In addition to visiting your doctor and taking any prescribed medications, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest.
The best way to prevent the spread of germs is to practice good hand hygiene. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing.
Microbes are tiny organisms that live in plants, animals, and even the human body. Microbes that cause infectious diseases are commonly referred to as germs or bugs. Infectious diseases are responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other single cause. Health care experts estimate about $120 billion is spent in the U.S. on medical costs annually for treating infectious diseases.
What is an infectious disease?
Some common diseases and infections include:
- Common cold
- Genital herpes
- Influenza (flu)
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia
- Shingles
- Strep throat
- Urinary tract infection
How do I know if I’m at risk?
Different types of germs spread in different ways. For example, viruses that cause colds or flu are often passed through the air by coughing or sneezing. Close contact through kissing can spread oral bacteria, and bacteria that cause HIV and genital herpes can be transmitted during sexual contact. Other sources of germs may include:
- Touching infectious material, such as feces
- Household pets, which can spread meningitis through their saliva
- Small animals and insects, such as rats, mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks
- Contaminated food or water, such as undercooked meat or water infected by animal waste
- Transplanted animal organs, such as pig hearts used in humans
Although anyone can spread or catch an infectious disease, including healthy people, those with a weakened immune system (eg, taking steroids, have HIV/AIDS, very old or very young in age) may be more likely to get sick.
What are the symptoms?
Each sickness comes with its own specific set of symptoms. The most common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
Are there complications?
Some infections can make you very sick quickly and then not bother you again, whereas others can damage body tissues and last forever.
- Acute infections are usually very severe and last a short time. Once the body’s immune system has successfully fought off the infection, it doesn’t come back.
- Chronic infections often develop from acute infections and can last for days to months to a lifetime. Because some people with chronic infections are unaware they are infected, they may be able to pass the germ to others.
- Latent infections are “hidden” or “silent” and may cause symptoms that come and go for many months or years.
Some infections—such as pneumonia, AIDS, and meningitis—can become life-threatening. A few types of infections, like human papillomavirus, Helicobacter pylori, and Epstein-Barr virus, have been linked to a long-term increased risk of cancer.
How can I prevent it?
To decrease the risk of infecting yourself or others:
- Wash your hands, especially before and after preparing food, before eating, and after using the toilet.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose, and mouth, which can spread airborne germs.
- Get vaccinated to drastically reduce your chances of contracting many diseases. If you plan to travel outside of the U.S., getting recommended immunizations is very important.
- Stay home from work, school, and errands if you are vomiting, have diarrhea, or are running a fever.
- Prepare food safely by keeping counters and other kitchen surfaces clean. Always cook foods to the proper recommended temperature, and promptly refrigerate any leftovers.
- Practice safe sex. Always use condoms if you or your partner has a history of sexually transmitted infections or high-risk behavior.
- Don’t share personal items, such as a toothbrush, razor, drinking glass, or dining utensil.
When should I see a doctor?
You should seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Have been bitten by an animal
- Are having trouble breathing
- Have been coughing for more than a week
- Have a fever over 100°F
- Have episodes of rapid heartbeat
- Experience a rash or swelling
- Have sudden vision problems
- Have been vomiting
What tests will I need?
Your doctor may order lab work or imaging scans to help determine what’s causing your symptoms.
Laboratory tests
Many infectious diseases have similar signs and symptoms. Samples of your body fluids can sometimes reveal evidence of the particular microbe that’s causing your illness. This helps your doctor choose the right treatment for you.
- Blood tests. A technician obtains a sample of your blood by inserting a needle into a vein, usually in your arm.
- Urine tests. This test requires you to urinate into a container.
- Swabs. Samples from your throat or other areas of your body may be obtained with a sterile swab.
- Stool sample. You may be instructed to collect a stool sample so a lab can check the sample for parasites and other organisms.
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). During this procedure a sample of your cerebrospinal fluid is obtained through a needle carefully inserted between the bones of your lower spine.
Imaging scans.
- Imaging procedures—such as X-rays, CT (computerized tomography), and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)—can help pinpoint diagnoses and rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
Biopsies
- During a biopsy, a tiny sample of tissue is taken from an internal organ for testing.
How is it treated?
Knowing what type of germ is causing your illness makes it easier for your doctor to choose appropriate treatment.
- Antibiotics are reserved for bacterial infections, because these types of drugs have no effect on illnesses caused by viruses.
- Antiviral drugs have been developed to treat some, but not all, viruses, including AIDS, herpes, hepatitis B and C, and influenza (flu).
- Antifungals are drugs that treat severe fungal infections, which can affect the lungs or the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
- Antiparasitics are used to treat diseases, such as malaria, caused by tiny parasites.
In addition to visiting your doctor and taking any prescribed medications, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest.
The best way to prevent the spread of germs is to practice good hand hygiene. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing.
Microbes are tiny organisms that live in plants, animals, and even the human body. Microbes that cause infectious diseases are commonly referred to as germs or bugs. Infectious diseases are responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other single cause. Health care experts estimate about $120 billion is spent in the U.S. on medical costs annually for treating infectious diseases.
What is an infectious disease?
Some common diseases and infections include:
- Common cold
- Genital herpes
- Influenza (flu)
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia
- Shingles
- Strep throat
- Urinary tract infection
How do I know if I’m at risk?
Different types of germs spread in different ways. For example, viruses that cause colds or flu are often passed through the air by coughing or sneezing. Close contact through kissing can spread oral bacteria, and bacteria that cause HIV and genital herpes can be transmitted during sexual contact. Other sources of germs may include:
- Touching infectious material, such as feces
- Household pets, which can spread meningitis through their saliva
- Small animals and insects, such as rats, mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks
- Contaminated food or water, such as undercooked meat or water infected by animal waste
- Transplanted animal organs, such as pig hearts used in humans
Although anyone can spread or catch an infectious disease, including healthy people, those with a weakened immune system (eg, taking steroids, have HIV/AIDS, very old or very young in age) may be more likely to get sick.
What are the symptoms?
Each sickness comes with its own specific set of symptoms. The most common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
Are there complications?
Some infections can make you very sick quickly and then not bother you again, whereas others can damage body tissues and last forever.
- Acute infections are usually very severe and last a short time. Once the body’s immune system has successfully fought off the infection, it doesn’t come back.
- Chronic infections often develop from acute infections and can last for days to months to a lifetime. Because some people with chronic infections are unaware they are infected, they may be able to pass the germ to others.
- Latent infections are “hidden” or “silent” and may cause symptoms that come and go for many months or years.
Some infections—such as pneumonia, AIDS, and meningitis—can become life-threatening. A few types of infections, like human papillomavirus, Helicobacter pylori, and Epstein-Barr virus, have been linked to a long-term increased risk of cancer.
How can I prevent it?
To decrease the risk of infecting yourself or others:
- Wash your hands, especially before and after preparing food, before eating, and after using the toilet.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose, and mouth, which can spread airborne germs.
- Get vaccinated to drastically reduce your chances of contracting many diseases. If you plan to travel outside of the U.S., getting recommended immunizations is very important.
- Stay home from work, school, and errands if you are vomiting, have diarrhea, or are running a fever.
- Prepare food safely by keeping counters and other kitchen surfaces clean. Always cook foods to the proper recommended temperature, and promptly refrigerate any leftovers.
- Practice safe sex. Always use condoms if you or your partner has a history of sexually transmitted infections or high-risk behavior.
- Don’t share personal items, such as a toothbrush, razor, drinking glass, or dining utensil.
When should I see a doctor?
You should seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Have been bitten by an animal
- Are having trouble breathing
- Have been coughing for more than a week
- Have a fever over 100°F
- Have episodes of rapid heartbeat
- Experience a rash or swelling
- Have sudden vision problems
- Have been vomiting
What tests will I need?
Your doctor may order lab work or imaging scans to help determine what’s causing your symptoms.
Laboratory tests
Many infectious diseases have similar signs and symptoms. Samples of your body fluids can sometimes reveal evidence of the particular microbe that’s causing your illness. This helps your doctor choose the right treatment for you.
- Blood tests. A technician obtains a sample of your blood by inserting a needle into a vein, usually in your arm.
- Urine tests. This test requires you to urinate into a container.
- Swabs. Samples from your throat or other areas of your body may be obtained with a sterile swab.
- Stool sample. You may be instructed to collect a stool sample so a lab can check the sample for parasites and other organisms.
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). During this procedure a sample of your cerebrospinal fluid is obtained through a needle carefully inserted between the bones of your lower spine.
Imaging scans.
- Imaging procedures—such as X-rays, CT (computerized tomography), and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)—can help pinpoint diagnoses and rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
Biopsies
- During a biopsy, a tiny sample of tissue is taken from an internal organ for testing.
How is it treated?
Knowing what type of germ is causing your illness makes it easier for your doctor to choose appropriate treatment.
- Antibiotics are reserved for bacterial infections, because these types of drugs have no effect on illnesses caused by viruses.
- Antiviral drugs have been developed to treat some, but not all, viruses, including AIDS, herpes, hepatitis B and C, and influenza (flu).
- Antifungals are drugs that treat severe fungal infections, which can affect the lungs or the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
- Antiparasitics are used to treat diseases, such as malaria, caused by tiny parasites.
In addition to visiting your doctor and taking any prescribed medications, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest.
The best way to prevent the spread of germs is to practice good hand hygiene. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing.
Tips for Dealing With Chronic Pain
Chronic Asthma Control
Asthma (az-muh) is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs. Inflammation makes the airways swollen and very sensitive. This swelling causes the muscles around the airways to tighten and narrow, allowing less air to flow into the lungs. As a result, the airways make more mucus than usual, making it even harder for air to flow through them. When this chain reaction results in intense asthma symptoms, you are having an asthma attack, also called a flareup or exacerbation (eg-zas-er-bay-shun).
More than 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma, including 7 million children. For some, asthma causes only minor symptoms and is easily managed. For others, asthma can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.
What causes it?
Asthma can flare up in different situations. Exercise-induced asthma occurs during physical activity and can be made worse when the air is cold and dry. Occupational (ock-you-pay-shun-uhl) asthma is triggered by workplace irritants, such as chemical fumes, gases, or dust. Allergy-induced asthma is triggered by allergens, such as animal fur, mold, cockroaches, or pollen. Other triggers include:
- Lung infections, such as a cold or the flu
- Smoke inhalation
- Certain medications, including beta-blockers, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
- Strong emotions and stress
- Preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Menstrual cycle in some women
How do I know if I'm at risk?
Most, but not all, people with asthma develop it during childhood. Children who wheeze or have respiratory infections are at the highest risk of developing asthma that continues beyond age 6 years. Additional risk factors include:
- Having a blood relative with asthma
- Having another allergic condition
- Obesity
- Being a smoker
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Having a mother who smoked during pregnancy
- Exposure to certain types of pollution
- Exposure to chemicals, such as those used in farming, hairdressing, and manufacturing
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary based on the severity of your asthma and can change over time. Common asthma symptoms include:
- Coughing that is worse at night or in the morning
- Wheezing, which is a whistling or squeaky sound that occurs when you breathe
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness or chest pain
When do I need medical attention?
Seek immediate medical attention by calling your doctor, local emergency number, or 911 if you experience shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity or if you have a rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing with no improvement of symptoms, even after using a quick-relief inhaler. These are all signs of an asthma attack, which can be life-threatening.
If you have not been diagnosed with asthma but are having frequent coughing or wheezing that lasts more than a few days, make an appointment with your primary care doctor. Treating asthma early can help prevent long-term damage to your airways.
What tests will I need?
Your doctor will take your medical and family history, perform a physical examination, and conduct certain tests to determine the severity of your asthma.Tests your doctor may give you include:
- Lung function tests. A spirometry (spy-rom-ehtree) test estimates the narrowing of your bronchial tubes by checking how much air you can exhale and how fast you can breathe out. A peak flow meter measures how hard you breathe out.
- Allergy testing. This test can be performed by a skin or blood test to determine any allergies.
- Bronchoprovocation (brong-ko-prov-uh-kayshun) test. This measures your lung function during physical activity or after you receive doses of cold air or a special chemical to breathe in.
- Chest X-ray or CT scan. Imaging tests can identify any diseases or foreign objects in the lungs or sinuses that may worsen breathing problems.
- Methacholine (meth-uh-koh-leen) challenge. If you react after inhaling methacholine, you likely have asthma. This test may be performed if your
first asthma test is normal. - Sputum eosinophils (spew-tum ee-oh-sin-ohfils). This test looks for certain white blood cells in the saliva/mucus that you discharge during coughing.
How is it treated?
Asthma cannot be cured, but with the right treatment, symptoms can be well controlled. Over time, your doctor may adjust your treatment to help you maintain the best control possible with the least amount of medicine necessary.
Medicines frequently prescribed for asthma control fall into 3 categories. The first is long-term control medicines, which help reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms:
- Inhaled corticosteroids (kor-tih-ko-stehr-oids) are the most effective option for long-term relief of inflammation and swelling.
- Leukotriene (loo-ko-try-een) modifiers help relieve asthma symptoms for up to 24 hours.
- Long-acting beta agonists are inhaled and open the airways. These medications should only be used with inhaled corticosteroids and should not be used during an asthma attack.
- Combination inhalers contain a long-acting beta agonist and a corticosteroid.
- Theophylline (thee-ohf-uh-lin) is a pill that helps keep the airways open by relaxing the muscles around them.
The second category is quick-relief medicines, used as needed for symptom relief during an asthma attack or before physical exercise:
- Short-acting beta agonists can be taken using a portable, handheld inhaler or a nebulizer (a machine that converts medicines to a fine mist).
- Ipratropium (ip-ruh-troh-pee-um) can be used to immediately relax the airways.
- Oral and IV corticosteroids relieve airway inflammation caused by severe asthma.
The third category is allergy medications, prescribed if your symptoms are triggered or made worse by allergies (most people with asthma have allergies):
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy) gradually reduce your immune system’s reaction to allergens.
- Omalizumab (oh-ma-liz-you-mab) is an injection that alters your immune system.
- Allergy medications include oral and nasal spray antihistamines (an-tie-his-tuh-meens) and decongestants (dee-cun-jes-tunts) as well as corticosteroid and cromolyn nasal sprays.
You should also work with your doctor to create an asthma action plan, which describes your daily treatments, the medicines to take, when to take them, and when you need to call your doctor or visit the emergency department.
It is important to track how well your asthma is controlled and to share this information with your doctor during regular asthma checkups. For more information on creating an asthma action plan, visit http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/asthma_actplan.pdf.
Asthma (az-muh) is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs. Inflammation makes the airways swollen and very sensitive. This swelling causes the muscles around the airways to tighten and narrow, allowing less air to flow into the lungs. As a result, the airways make more mucus than usual, making it even harder for air to flow through them. When this chain reaction results in intense asthma symptoms, you are having an asthma attack, also called a flareup or exacerbation (eg-zas-er-bay-shun).
More than 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma, including 7 million children. For some, asthma causes only minor symptoms and is easily managed. For others, asthma can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.
What causes it?
Asthma can flare up in different situations. Exercise-induced asthma occurs during physical activity and can be made worse when the air is cold and dry. Occupational (ock-you-pay-shun-uhl) asthma is triggered by workplace irritants, such as chemical fumes, gases, or dust. Allergy-induced asthma is triggered by allergens, such as animal fur, mold, cockroaches, or pollen. Other triggers include:
- Lung infections, such as a cold or the flu
- Smoke inhalation
- Certain medications, including beta-blockers, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
- Strong emotions and stress
- Preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Menstrual cycle in some women
How do I know if I'm at risk?
Most, but not all, people with asthma develop it during childhood. Children who wheeze or have respiratory infections are at the highest risk of developing asthma that continues beyond age 6 years. Additional risk factors include:
- Having a blood relative with asthma
- Having another allergic condition
- Obesity
- Being a smoker
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Having a mother who smoked during pregnancy
- Exposure to certain types of pollution
- Exposure to chemicals, such as those used in farming, hairdressing, and manufacturing
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary based on the severity of your asthma and can change over time. Common asthma symptoms include:
- Coughing that is worse at night or in the morning
- Wheezing, which is a whistling or squeaky sound that occurs when you breathe
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness or chest pain
When do I need medical attention?
Seek immediate medical attention by calling your doctor, local emergency number, or 911 if you experience shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity or if you have a rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing with no improvement of symptoms, even after using a quick-relief inhaler. These are all signs of an asthma attack, which can be life-threatening.
If you have not been diagnosed with asthma but are having frequent coughing or wheezing that lasts more than a few days, make an appointment with your primary care doctor. Treating asthma early can help prevent long-term damage to your airways.
What tests will I need?
Your doctor will take your medical and family history, perform a physical examination, and conduct certain tests to determine the severity of your asthma.Tests your doctor may give you include:
- Lung function tests. A spirometry (spy-rom-ehtree) test estimates the narrowing of your bronchial tubes by checking how much air you can exhale and how fast you can breathe out. A peak flow meter measures how hard you breathe out.
- Allergy testing. This test can be performed by a skin or blood test to determine any allergies.
- Bronchoprovocation (brong-ko-prov-uh-kayshun) test. This measures your lung function during physical activity or after you receive doses of cold air or a special chemical to breathe in.
- Chest X-ray or CT scan. Imaging tests can identify any diseases or foreign objects in the lungs or sinuses that may worsen breathing problems.
- Methacholine (meth-uh-koh-leen) challenge. If you react after inhaling methacholine, you likely have asthma. This test may be performed if your
first asthma test is normal. - Sputum eosinophils (spew-tum ee-oh-sin-ohfils). This test looks for certain white blood cells in the saliva/mucus that you discharge during coughing.
How is it treated?
Asthma cannot be cured, but with the right treatment, symptoms can be well controlled. Over time, your doctor may adjust your treatment to help you maintain the best control possible with the least amount of medicine necessary.
Medicines frequently prescribed for asthma control fall into 3 categories. The first is long-term control medicines, which help reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms:
- Inhaled corticosteroids (kor-tih-ko-stehr-oids) are the most effective option for long-term relief of inflammation and swelling.
- Leukotriene (loo-ko-try-een) modifiers help relieve asthma symptoms for up to 24 hours.
- Long-acting beta agonists are inhaled and open the airways. These medications should only be used with inhaled corticosteroids and should not be used during an asthma attack.
- Combination inhalers contain a long-acting beta agonist and a corticosteroid.
- Theophylline (thee-ohf-uh-lin) is a pill that helps keep the airways open by relaxing the muscles around them.
The second category is quick-relief medicines, used as needed for symptom relief during an asthma attack or before physical exercise:
- Short-acting beta agonists can be taken using a portable, handheld inhaler or a nebulizer (a machine that converts medicines to a fine mist).
- Ipratropium (ip-ruh-troh-pee-um) can be used to immediately relax the airways.
- Oral and IV corticosteroids relieve airway inflammation caused by severe asthma.
The third category is allergy medications, prescribed if your symptoms are triggered or made worse by allergies (most people with asthma have allergies):
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy) gradually reduce your immune system’s reaction to allergens.
- Omalizumab (oh-ma-liz-you-mab) is an injection that alters your immune system.
- Allergy medications include oral and nasal spray antihistamines (an-tie-his-tuh-meens) and decongestants (dee-cun-jes-tunts) as well as corticosteroid and cromolyn nasal sprays.
You should also work with your doctor to create an asthma action plan, which describes your daily treatments, the medicines to take, when to take them, and when you need to call your doctor or visit the emergency department.
It is important to track how well your asthma is controlled and to share this information with your doctor during regular asthma checkups. For more information on creating an asthma action plan, visit http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/asthma_actplan.pdf.
Asthma (az-muh) is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways in the lungs. Inflammation makes the airways swollen and very sensitive. This swelling causes the muscles around the airways to tighten and narrow, allowing less air to flow into the lungs. As a result, the airways make more mucus than usual, making it even harder for air to flow through them. When this chain reaction results in intense asthma symptoms, you are having an asthma attack, also called a flareup or exacerbation (eg-zas-er-bay-shun).
More than 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma, including 7 million children. For some, asthma causes only minor symptoms and is easily managed. For others, asthma can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.
What causes it?
Asthma can flare up in different situations. Exercise-induced asthma occurs during physical activity and can be made worse when the air is cold and dry. Occupational (ock-you-pay-shun-uhl) asthma is triggered by workplace irritants, such as chemical fumes, gases, or dust. Allergy-induced asthma is triggered by allergens, such as animal fur, mold, cockroaches, or pollen. Other triggers include:
- Lung infections, such as a cold or the flu
- Smoke inhalation
- Certain medications, including beta-blockers, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
- Strong emotions and stress
- Preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Menstrual cycle in some women
How do I know if I'm at risk?
Most, but not all, people with asthma develop it during childhood. Children who wheeze or have respiratory infections are at the highest risk of developing asthma that continues beyond age 6 years. Additional risk factors include:
- Having a blood relative with asthma
- Having another allergic condition
- Obesity
- Being a smoker
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Having a mother who smoked during pregnancy
- Exposure to certain types of pollution
- Exposure to chemicals, such as those used in farming, hairdressing, and manufacturing
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary based on the severity of your asthma and can change over time. Common asthma symptoms include:
- Coughing that is worse at night or in the morning
- Wheezing, which is a whistling or squeaky sound that occurs when you breathe
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness or chest pain
When do I need medical attention?
Seek immediate medical attention by calling your doctor, local emergency number, or 911 if you experience shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity or if you have a rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing with no improvement of symptoms, even after using a quick-relief inhaler. These are all signs of an asthma attack, which can be life-threatening.
If you have not been diagnosed with asthma but are having frequent coughing or wheezing that lasts more than a few days, make an appointment with your primary care doctor. Treating asthma early can help prevent long-term damage to your airways.
What tests will I need?
Your doctor will take your medical and family history, perform a physical examination, and conduct certain tests to determine the severity of your asthma.Tests your doctor may give you include:
- Lung function tests. A spirometry (spy-rom-ehtree) test estimates the narrowing of your bronchial tubes by checking how much air you can exhale and how fast you can breathe out. A peak flow meter measures how hard you breathe out.
- Allergy testing. This test can be performed by a skin or blood test to determine any allergies.
- Bronchoprovocation (brong-ko-prov-uh-kayshun) test. This measures your lung function during physical activity or after you receive doses of cold air or a special chemical to breathe in.
- Chest X-ray or CT scan. Imaging tests can identify any diseases or foreign objects in the lungs or sinuses that may worsen breathing problems.
- Methacholine (meth-uh-koh-leen) challenge. If you react after inhaling methacholine, you likely have asthma. This test may be performed if your
first asthma test is normal. - Sputum eosinophils (spew-tum ee-oh-sin-ohfils). This test looks for certain white blood cells in the saliva/mucus that you discharge during coughing.
How is it treated?
Asthma cannot be cured, but with the right treatment, symptoms can be well controlled. Over time, your doctor may adjust your treatment to help you maintain the best control possible with the least amount of medicine necessary.
Medicines frequently prescribed for asthma control fall into 3 categories. The first is long-term control medicines, which help reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms:
- Inhaled corticosteroids (kor-tih-ko-stehr-oids) are the most effective option for long-term relief of inflammation and swelling.
- Leukotriene (loo-ko-try-een) modifiers help relieve asthma symptoms for up to 24 hours.
- Long-acting beta agonists are inhaled and open the airways. These medications should only be used with inhaled corticosteroids and should not be used during an asthma attack.
- Combination inhalers contain a long-acting beta agonist and a corticosteroid.
- Theophylline (thee-ohf-uh-lin) is a pill that helps keep the airways open by relaxing the muscles around them.
The second category is quick-relief medicines, used as needed for symptom relief during an asthma attack or before physical exercise:
- Short-acting beta agonists can be taken using a portable, handheld inhaler or a nebulizer (a machine that converts medicines to a fine mist).
- Ipratropium (ip-ruh-troh-pee-um) can be used to immediately relax the airways.
- Oral and IV corticosteroids relieve airway inflammation caused by severe asthma.
The third category is allergy medications, prescribed if your symptoms are triggered or made worse by allergies (most people with asthma have allergies):
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy) gradually reduce your immune system’s reaction to allergens.
- Omalizumab (oh-ma-liz-you-mab) is an injection that alters your immune system.
- Allergy medications include oral and nasal spray antihistamines (an-tie-his-tuh-meens) and decongestants (dee-cun-jes-tunts) as well as corticosteroid and cromolyn nasal sprays.
You should also work with your doctor to create an asthma action plan, which describes your daily treatments, the medicines to take, when to take them, and when you need to call your doctor or visit the emergency department.
It is important to track how well your asthma is controlled and to share this information with your doctor during regular asthma checkups. For more information on creating an asthma action plan, visit http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/asthma_actplan.pdf.
