By:

Raul Lopez and Adrian Martinez

AsthmaAsthma Asthma is a disorder that causes the Asthma is a disorder that causes the

airways of the lungs to swell and airways of the lungs to swell and narrow, leading to wheezing, narrow, leading to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. and coughing.

CausesCauses Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways.

When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swells. This reduces the lining of the air passages swells. This reduces the amount of air that can pass by.amount of air that can pass by.

SymptompsSymptomps

Most people with asthma have attacks separated Most people with asthma have attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some people have by symptom-free periods. Some people have long-term shortness of breath with episodes of long-term shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Either wheezing or increased shortness of breath. Either wheezing or a cough may be the main symptom.a cough may be the main symptom.

Other symptomsOther symptoms::

-Cough-Cough

-Shortness of breath-Shortness of breath

-Chest pain-Chest pain

-Wheezing-Wheezing

Exam and TextsExam and Texts Allergy testing may be helpful to identify allergens in Allergy testing may be helpful to identify allergens in

people with asthmapeople with asthma..

The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs. Asthma-related sounds may be heard. lungs. Asthma-related sounds may be heard. However, lung sounds are usually normal between However, lung sounds are usually normal between asthma episodes.asthma episodes.

TreatmentsTreatmentsThe goal of treatment is to avoid the substances that trigger The goal of treatment is to avoid the substances that trigger

your your symptoms and control airway inflamation.symptoms and control airway inflamation.

Two basic kinds of medication:Two basic kinds of medication:

- Control drugs to prevent attacks- Control drugs to prevent attacks - Drugs for being used during attacks- Drugs for being used during attacks

We use control drugs to control the symptoms if we don’t We use control drugs to control the symptoms if we don’t have mild have mild

Asthma. We should take them even when you feel OK.Asthma. We should take them even when you feel OK.

We use quick-relief drugs when we suffer an asthma attack, We use quick-relief drugs when we suffer an asthma attack, having having

trouble breathing, coughing, etc.trouble breathing, coughing, etc.

The most common drugs for asthma are:The most common drugs for asthma are:

- Inhaled corticosteroids such as ‘Pulmicort’- Inhaled corticosteroids such as ‘Pulmicort’ - Short-acting bronchodilators (inhalers) like - Short-acting bronchodilators (inhalers) like

‘Ventolin’‘Ventolin’

PreventionPrevention

Asthma care at home:Asthma care at home:

- Know the asthma symptoms to watch - Know the asthma symptoms to watch out forout for

- Take care of triggers that make your - Take care of triggers that make your asthma worseasthma worse

- Avoid dust and pollution- Avoid dust and pollution

- Take medical tests regularly- Take medical tests regularly

- Healthy life - Healthy life

Outlook & Asthma around the Outlook & Asthma around the worldworld

No cure for asthmaNo cure for asthma People with asthma have normal lifesPeople with asthma have normal lifesAsthma could lead to complications that go from Asthma could lead to complications that go from

sleepingsleepingtroubles until even death if not controlled.troubles until even death if not controlled.

According to WHO (World Health Organization), According to WHO (World Health Organization), 235 million235 million

people suffer from asthma all around the world.people suffer from asthma all around the world.Asthma can affect toAsthma can affect to every every person in the world. person in the world.

Affected regionsAffected regions

ResourcesResources

http://http://health.nytimes.comhealth.nytimes.com//healthhealth//guidesguides//diseasedisease//asthmaasthma//overview.html#Outlookoverview.html#Outlook-Prognosis-Prognosis

http://http://caledoniyya.comcaledoniyya.com/2008/10/09//2008/10/09/asthmaasthma--thethe--silentsilent--killerkiller//

http://http://www.who.intwww.who.int//respiratoryrespiratory//asthmaasthma/en//en/