Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Diagnosing Asthma.
Asthma diagnosis is based on repeated, careful measurements of how efficiently the patient can force air out of the lungs and on a thorough medical history and laboratory tests to find out what triggers the patient's acute attacks. People with asthma react to external irritants in a way that non-asthmatics don't. Many, but not all, sufferers have allergies that cause their bodies to produce an abnormal array of chemicals in response to environmental allergens. In that sense, asthma is like pollen allergies, hives, and eczema. But in asthma, the allergic reaction contributes to inflammation of the airways rather than of skin, eyes, or nose and throat. An acute asthma attack may come on rapidly after exposure to an irritant or develop slowly over several days or weeks, which can complicate the job of identifying a patient's asthma triggers. Which drugs asthma patients need, when to use them, and how much to use depend largely on the character of their illness, as shown by the degree of breathing impairment and the frequency and severity of acute attacks. Many docotors and researchers agree that the first line of defense is avoidance of whatever brings on an acute asthma episode. In some asthmatics, attacks can be brought on by strenuous exercise, exposure to cold outdoor air, industrial or household chemicals and food additives such as sulfites. Influenza or even cold viruses can also trigger asthma episodes. There are many cases where triggers cannot be identified, even after a thorough investigation.
Asthma attack .
Knowing what provokes an asthma attack is critically important in prevention, but it's often difficult or impractical to avoid contact with triggering irritants. Today, however, doctors can prescribe drugs to lessen the risk of acute attacks after exposure to an offending irritant, as well as halt attacks that can't be prevented.
The drugs used to treat asthma fall into two broad categories: controllers to prevent acute attacks and relievers that check acute symptoms when they occur. Some drugs do both.
In light of mounting evidence that asthma is fundamentally an inflammatory disease, asthma authorities today regard inhaled corticosteroids--marketed under numerous brand names as the most effective agents for controlling airway inflammation and thus preventing acute asthma attacks. Corticosteroids in pill or tablet form and in liquid form for children are prescribed long-term for some patients with severe asthma, or short-term for patients with a serious asthma episode.
Bronchodilators work to help open the breathing tubes (bronchi), but do not treat the underlying inflammation. There are both short-acting and long-acting bronchodilators. Long-acting inhaled bronchodilators, and long-acting oral bronchodilators, are often used in conjunction with anti-inflammatory agents to control symptoms. They don't provide immediate relief of symptoms, but their preventive action persists for many hours, which makes them useful in controlling attacks that might occur during hours of sleep.
Drugs to bring quick relief in acute asthma attacks are chiefly short-acting inhaled bronchodilators that act rapidly but for a relatively brief time to relax bronchial constriction. Although these drugs are effective in treating asthma, there is some controversy about their safety, especially when they are overused. Scientific debate makes it clear, however, that an increasing need for inhaled bronchodilators, or a decreasing response to each dose, is a signal that the patient's asthma is not being adequately controlled. Patients who have an increasing need for short-acting inhaled bronchodilators should be reevaluated promptly by their physicians.
Both prescription and over-the-counter short-acting bronchodilators are available. Like the prescription drugs, the OTC drugs act only to provide symptom and relief, and they are generally effective for a shorter period. They may be useful, therefore, as temporary treatment for mild asthma attacks. Ready availability in drugstores makes the OTC products potentially helpful as a "stopgap" for patients who do not have their prescription medication at hand when an asthma attack occurs. More importantly, patients who use OTC inhalers should still seek advice from a health professional about the long-term treatment of their asthma.
The key to effective, long-term treatment of asthma is finding the drugs and dosage plan most effective in dealing with or preventing acute episodes. But effective treatment depends as well on the patient and the care-giver knowing what the various anti-asthma drugs do, when and in what amount each drug should be used, when a change in symptoms or in the response to a particular drug requires a call or visit to the physician, and when to get emergency help. Physicians who specialize in treating asthmatics go over these points in detail as part of an overall treatment plan designed and, as necessary, adjusted to meet the needs of each individual patient.
A cure for asthma is judged by experts to be still a far-off possibility. But the majority of asthma sufferers can lead essentially normal, symptom-free lives by understanding and sticking to a well-planned strategy to keep clear of asthma triggers and to use the right drugs in the right way.
The drugs used to treat asthma fall into two broad categories: controllers to prevent acute attacks and relievers that check acute symptoms when they occur. Some drugs do both.
In light of mounting evidence that asthma is fundamentally an inflammatory disease, asthma authorities today regard inhaled corticosteroids--marketed under numerous brand names as the most effective agents for controlling airway inflammation and thus preventing acute asthma attacks. Corticosteroids in pill or tablet form and in liquid form for children are prescribed long-term for some patients with severe asthma, or short-term for patients with a serious asthma episode.
Bronchodilators work to help open the breathing tubes (bronchi), but do not treat the underlying inflammation. There are both short-acting and long-acting bronchodilators. Long-acting inhaled bronchodilators, and long-acting oral bronchodilators, are often used in conjunction with anti-inflammatory agents to control symptoms. They don't provide immediate relief of symptoms, but their preventive action persists for many hours, which makes them useful in controlling attacks that might occur during hours of sleep.
Drugs to bring quick relief in acute asthma attacks are chiefly short-acting inhaled bronchodilators that act rapidly but for a relatively brief time to relax bronchial constriction. Although these drugs are effective in treating asthma, there is some controversy about their safety, especially when they are overused. Scientific debate makes it clear, however, that an increasing need for inhaled bronchodilators, or a decreasing response to each dose, is a signal that the patient's asthma is not being adequately controlled. Patients who have an increasing need for short-acting inhaled bronchodilators should be reevaluated promptly by their physicians.
Both prescription and over-the-counter short-acting bronchodilators are available. Like the prescription drugs, the OTC drugs act only to provide symptom and relief, and they are generally effective for a shorter period. They may be useful, therefore, as temporary treatment for mild asthma attacks. Ready availability in drugstores makes the OTC products potentially helpful as a "stopgap" for patients who do not have their prescription medication at hand when an asthma attack occurs. More importantly, patients who use OTC inhalers should still seek advice from a health professional about the long-term treatment of their asthma.
The key to effective, long-term treatment of asthma is finding the drugs and dosage plan most effective in dealing with or preventing acute episodes. But effective treatment depends as well on the patient and the care-giver knowing what the various anti-asthma drugs do, when and in what amount each drug should be used, when a change in symptoms or in the response to a particular drug requires a call or visit to the physician, and when to get emergency help. Physicians who specialize in treating asthmatics go over these points in detail as part of an overall treatment plan designed and, as necessary, adjusted to meet the needs of each individual patient.
A cure for asthma is judged by experts to be still a far-off possibility. But the majority of asthma sufferers can lead essentially normal, symptom-free lives by understanding and sticking to a well-planned strategy to keep clear of asthma triggers and to use the right drugs in the right way.
Bronchitis symptoms.
This is not a difficult task, especially if you are a healthy person, your only problem being bronchitis. Antibiotics are not one of the medication that work in case of bronchitis. Furthermore, if there is already a problem with your lungs, or with your heart, the bronchitis treatment will be a little more aggressive.
There are two types of bronchitis that one can have: acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. The acute bronchitis case is more easy to treat. Most of all the acute bronchitis cases go away in about two to three weeks. There is no special treatment necessary in cases of acute bronchitis, in almost all cases of bronchitis home treatment being the only one that is needed. This home treatment against bronchitis includes:
- realiving the cough, which is the trade mark for bronchitis; this is done by drinking a lot of fluids, taking cough drops and staying away from any irritants that may irritate your lungs even more if you have acute bronchitis; a person can also use in cases of bronchitis cough suppressants; these may help you from coughing; another way to go is using expectorants in cases of bronchitis, because these make coughing much easier and also bring up the mucus that is create when having bronchitis;
- if you have a case of acute bronchitis, the best thing to do is avoid alcohol and caffeine; these products may case the loose of fluid in your body;
- if you are a smoke and also suffer from bronchitis, the best thing to do is cut back on the daily number of cigarettes or even stop smoking, if possible;
- because acute bronchitis is an infection, there is a lot of energy used by your body to fight against bronchitis; so in this period you should get a lot of rest and give your body a chance to recuperate and develop the necessary strength to fight bronchitis;
- to fight against fever and the body aches that you might have when suffering from acute bronchitis, you should take aspirin or ibuprofen; however, be careful not to give aspirin to any bronchitis patient that is under twenty years old;
These are some of the things that need to be made at home in order to heal from bronchitis. However, if your doctor considers that in your bronchitis case, there is the need for medication, these may often include the following:
- beta agonists, which can dialate your airways, thus realiving the bronchitis symptom, coughing; but the bad thing about this bronchitis medication is that it may have some side effects, which include tremor or shaking;
- antibiotics are only used in cases of bronchitis where there is the risk of complications.
There are two types of bronchitis that one can have: acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. The acute bronchitis case is more easy to treat. Most of all the acute bronchitis cases go away in about two to three weeks. There is no special treatment necessary in cases of acute bronchitis, in almost all cases of bronchitis home treatment being the only one that is needed. This home treatment against bronchitis includes:
- realiving the cough, which is the trade mark for bronchitis; this is done by drinking a lot of fluids, taking cough drops and staying away from any irritants that may irritate your lungs even more if you have acute bronchitis; a person can also use in cases of bronchitis cough suppressants; these may help you from coughing; another way to go is using expectorants in cases of bronchitis, because these make coughing much easier and also bring up the mucus that is create when having bronchitis;
- if you have a case of acute bronchitis, the best thing to do is avoid alcohol and caffeine; these products may case the loose of fluid in your body;
- if you are a smoke and also suffer from bronchitis, the best thing to do is cut back on the daily number of cigarettes or even stop smoking, if possible;
- because acute bronchitis is an infection, there is a lot of energy used by your body to fight against bronchitis; so in this period you should get a lot of rest and give your body a chance to recuperate and develop the necessary strength to fight bronchitis;
- to fight against fever and the body aches that you might have when suffering from acute bronchitis, you should take aspirin or ibuprofen; however, be careful not to give aspirin to any bronchitis patient that is under twenty years old;
These are some of the things that need to be made at home in order to heal from bronchitis. However, if your doctor considers that in your bronchitis case, there is the need for medication, these may often include the following:
- beta agonists, which can dialate your airways, thus realiving the bronchitis symptom, coughing; but the bad thing about this bronchitis medication is that it may have some side effects, which include tremor or shaking;
- antibiotics are only used in cases of bronchitis where there is the risk of complications.
Bronchitis cure.
No matter who gets bronchitis in the family (and we hope it just doesn’t happen), there are many natural remedies out there that are safe and effective. The smell of this remedy may make everyone hungry, but it’s sure to help break up the lung congestion from the bronchitis.
It’s simple really: Fry up some onions and let them cool until they’re not too hot to handle. Rub the bronchitis sufferer’s chest with olive oil, the lay the onions on the chest. Cover the onions with a thick cloth, preferably an old cotton towel or a piece of flannel. Use a hot water bottle to lay over the towel; please be extra careful with the heat, especially in young children. Of course, this one requires your constant supervision with the young ones, but onions are a very effective treatment for lung congestion.
It’s simple really: Fry up some onions and let them cool until they’re not too hot to handle. Rub the bronchitis sufferer’s chest with olive oil, the lay the onions on the chest. Cover the onions with a thick cloth, preferably an old cotton towel or a piece of flannel. Use a hot water bottle to lay over the towel; please be extra careful with the heat, especially in young children. Of course, this one requires your constant supervision with the young ones, but onions are a very effective treatment for lung congestion.
Bronchitis children.
Before getting into the treatment of bronchitis, it would be better to understand how the condition first. Bronchitis is a respiratory infection that can be mistakenly similar with ordinary colds or pneumonia. This is brought about by a number of factors including air pollution, smoking, rapid climate changes and exposure to certain chemicals. In children this is mostly caused by bacterial or viral contact.
Bronchitis happens when the air passages of your child's lungs gets irritated and swollen, causing coughing and breathing problems. Bronchitis usually starts from a simple upper respiratory infection (usually colds or flu) that was not given proper attention. From there, the infection spreads from your child's nose and throat going down further to infect the windpipe and airways resulting in bronchitis.
The most common sign of bronchitis is frequent coughing which starts off unproductive at first then turns into productive coughing a few days afterwards (presence of mucus) which tends to get worse during the night. The coughing can sometimes cause your child to gag and vomit because of the amount of mucus his/her body is producing. As time goes on chest pains and wheezing will start to manifest as well and can last several weeks long. Some of the other symptoms include sore throat, fever, chills, and fatigue.
Thankfully bronchitis is the type of illness that with proper treatment just goes away on its own. In order to ensure safety though it would be best to have your child checked in order to eliminate any possibility of other infections. Bronchitis is usually caused by viruses making antibiotics useless. Even doctors actually suggest that you just continue to give home treatments the same as you did when your child had the cold in treating bronchitis. Letting them drink plenty of water (not soda, juice, or tea just plain lukewarm water) will help, over the counter medications such as cough syrup and operating a humidifier can also help.
To prevent your child from acquiring bronchitis teach them the value of cleanliness. Hand washing or sanitizing is one of the best ways to prevent illnesses from spreading. If you have other people watching over your child from time to time it would also be better to suggest that they wash their hands as well. Also teach your child to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and tell him to do the same when other person around him/her coughs or sneezes.
Bronchitis just goes away on its own with proper care. If you think your child may have bronchitis it would be best to have him/her checked because there might be an underlying cause other than bronchitis.
Bronchitis happens when the air passages of your child's lungs gets irritated and swollen, causing coughing and breathing problems. Bronchitis usually starts from a simple upper respiratory infection (usually colds or flu) that was not given proper attention. From there, the infection spreads from your child's nose and throat going down further to infect the windpipe and airways resulting in bronchitis.
The most common sign of bronchitis is frequent coughing which starts off unproductive at first then turns into productive coughing a few days afterwards (presence of mucus) which tends to get worse during the night. The coughing can sometimes cause your child to gag and vomit because of the amount of mucus his/her body is producing. As time goes on chest pains and wheezing will start to manifest as well and can last several weeks long. Some of the other symptoms include sore throat, fever, chills, and fatigue.
Thankfully bronchitis is the type of illness that with proper treatment just goes away on its own. In order to ensure safety though it would be best to have your child checked in order to eliminate any possibility of other infections. Bronchitis is usually caused by viruses making antibiotics useless. Even doctors actually suggest that you just continue to give home treatments the same as you did when your child had the cold in treating bronchitis. Letting them drink plenty of water (not soda, juice, or tea just plain lukewarm water) will help, over the counter medications such as cough syrup and operating a humidifier can also help.
To prevent your child from acquiring bronchitis teach them the value of cleanliness. Hand washing or sanitizing is one of the best ways to prevent illnesses from spreading. If you have other people watching over your child from time to time it would also be better to suggest that they wash their hands as well. Also teach your child to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and tell him to do the same when other person around him/her coughs or sneezes.
Bronchitis just goes away on its own with proper care. If you think your child may have bronchitis it would be best to have him/her checked because there might be an underlying cause other than bronchitis.
Finding a bronchitis cure
Finding a bronchitis cure can be a tricky thing since so many doctors want to just prescribe an antibiotic when it is normally not even needed.
The reason being it is not needed is due to the fact that more bronchitis cases are caused by viral infections, not bacterial.
Bronchitis is a respiratory condition that affects the bronchi. They become inflamed and full of mucous. Bronchitis usually occurs when you have a cold. It will normally go away on its own in a few days, but the cough will linger for a few weeks.
If antibiotics won’t help you, then what will? One of the most widely used natural remedies to cure bronchitis is aromatherapy. Eucalyptus oil is one of the best to inhale which provides relief to inflammation.
Another great bronchitis cure is cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper helps break up the congestion in your lungs to help you produce a better cough.
Another natural remedy you can try is preparing a tea with a garlic and ginger mixture. Drinking this tea 3-4 times a day will help cure your bronchitis.
Another bronchitis cure you can try is a tea made from creosote bush. This is an herb that is widely used for respiratory problems.
If you want to get rid of some that phlegm, try making a tea with pleurisy root. Coltsfoot, another herb, is known for its expectorant properties.
This herb stimulates the cilia to move mucous out of the airways. It also suppresses the production of the protein that triggers bronchial spasms.
There are a few other bronchitis cures that are really helpful. One that specifically soothers the throat and stops the spasms that causes cough is an herb called mullien. This herb also has expectorant properties.
You can also break up congestion in the lungs with massage. This is a bronchitis cure that is probably the most enjoyable.
You can simply massage the chest and back with special massage oil or vegetable oil, or have someone else do it for you. It is also a good idea to take additional supplements of vitamins A and C. These two vitamins will help heal the inflammation in your bronchial tubes.
The reason being it is not needed is due to the fact that more bronchitis cases are caused by viral infections, not bacterial.
Bronchitis is a respiratory condition that affects the bronchi. They become inflamed and full of mucous. Bronchitis usually occurs when you have a cold. It will normally go away on its own in a few days, but the cough will linger for a few weeks.
If antibiotics won’t help you, then what will? One of the most widely used natural remedies to cure bronchitis is aromatherapy. Eucalyptus oil is one of the best to inhale which provides relief to inflammation.
Another great bronchitis cure is cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper helps break up the congestion in your lungs to help you produce a better cough.
Another natural remedy you can try is preparing a tea with a garlic and ginger mixture. Drinking this tea 3-4 times a day will help cure your bronchitis.
Another bronchitis cure you can try is a tea made from creosote bush. This is an herb that is widely used for respiratory problems.
If you want to get rid of some that phlegm, try making a tea with pleurisy root. Coltsfoot, another herb, is known for its expectorant properties.
This herb stimulates the cilia to move mucous out of the airways. It also suppresses the production of the protein that triggers bronchial spasms.
There are a few other bronchitis cures that are really helpful. One that specifically soothers the throat and stops the spasms that causes cough is an herb called mullien. This herb also has expectorant properties.
You can also break up congestion in the lungs with massage. This is a bronchitis cure that is probably the most enjoyable.
You can simply massage the chest and back with special massage oil or vegetable oil, or have someone else do it for you. It is also a good idea to take additional supplements of vitamins A and C. These two vitamins will help heal the inflammation in your bronchial tubes.
Are you trying to find a cure for bronchitis?
Sometimes it can be rather frustrating when you have a nasty, mucous-producing cough.
It is very tempting to go to your doctor and have him/her prescribe an antibiotic. Antibiotics won’t cure bronchitis unless it is caused by a bacterial infection (which doesn’t happen very often). Antibiotics will hurt you more than help you in the long run.
Bronchitis happens when your bronchial tubes get infected. Infection will cause additional phlegm to build up, which obstructs your airways. Your body’s natural response to an obstruction is to cough it out. However, the more you cough the more inflamed your bronchial tubes get.
Instead of receiving a prescription of antibiotics that is easy to fill and not explain, you will get some great information from an alternative doctor.
Please understand that if you need a cure for bronchitis that is only prescribed by medical doctors, you should go seek that type of advice. Bronchitis caused by bacterial infections is a great example of needing a prescription.
Sometimes to cure bronchitis you need to call on your common sense. Drinking a lot of fluid and resting is probably the best medicine, but if you feel like you need to see a doctor, go see one.
It is very tempting to go to your doctor and have him/her prescribe an antibiotic. Antibiotics won’t cure bronchitis unless it is caused by a bacterial infection (which doesn’t happen very often). Antibiotics will hurt you more than help you in the long run.
Bronchitis happens when your bronchial tubes get infected. Infection will cause additional phlegm to build up, which obstructs your airways. Your body’s natural response to an obstruction is to cough it out. However, the more you cough the more inflamed your bronchial tubes get.
Instead of receiving a prescription of antibiotics that is easy to fill and not explain, you will get some great information from an alternative doctor.
Please understand that if you need a cure for bronchitis that is only prescribed by medical doctors, you should go seek that type of advice. Bronchitis caused by bacterial infections is a great example of needing a prescription.
Sometimes to cure bronchitis you need to call on your common sense. Drinking a lot of fluid and resting is probably the best medicine, but if you feel like you need to see a doctor, go see one.
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