World Asthma Day

As we observe World Asthma Day on May 5, I here contribute a little in order to lowdown the disease which can prove to be deadly in many situations.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway which causes widespread,variable and often reversible narrowing of the air passage.The commonest symptom of asthma in children is cough.

The basic mechanism of asthma is the hyper responsiveness of the airway to various allergens in a genetically predisposed person.The common allergens are are house dust mite, pollens of plants , change in environmental temperature and humidity.Allergy to food items is uncommon trigger of asthma in children.The allergens cause release of various inflammatory mediators from eosinophills and mast cellos leading to airway narrowing by swelling of inner lining of airway ,constriction of muscles of bronchi and collection of thick tenacious sputum in air passage leading to obstruction to the air flow ,mainly during exhalation when the airway is otherwise is also narrow.

Prevention

Altough there is no cure of asthma but it can be effectivelt controlled in most patients intervening to supress and reverse inflammation as well as treating spam of airway muscles. Early intervention to stop exposure to the risk factors may help in controlling asthma and reduce medication needs. The major intervention are at reducing exposure to indoor allergens like house dust,pet fur and excreata,strong perfumes etc. and avoiding tobbaco,alcohol consumption.viral infections like influenza play important role in asthma development in infants and young children.

Management Of Asthma

The management of asthma is two pronged :-

• reliever medications from relief from acute and severe asthma are short acting inhaled b2 agonists like salbutamol and terbutaline anti cholingeric ipratropium bromide, theophylline and short acting oral b2 agonists.

• Medication for long term control inhaled corticosteroids like fluticasone and budesonides,leukotriene modifier montelukast ,long acting inhaled b2 agonists like salmaterol and formoterol and theophyllines.

Asthmatic facts

• Asthma can effect all age group people including young infants.

• Poorly controlled asthma can effect growth and school performance of children.

• Inhalation therapy is safe and effective in long term control of asthma and easy to administer.

• There are some myths regarding inhalers that they are costly ,habit forming and strong.

• Various alternative forms of medicine like Ayurveda,Homeopathy,Naturopathy and Yoga can help in achieving control but their claim to cure asthma is wrong.

• Child with controlled asthma can enjoy the games.

• Food allergy is uncommon cause of asthma in children.

• Long term treatment with corticosteroids as long as 13 years has not been shown to be associated with any sustained side affects.