Understanding Asthma

Asthma is a condition that affects the respiratory system. This respiratory system includes the airways, the bronchi, and the lungs. Most people with an asthmatic condition have some sort of problem with their airways or the bronchi in their lungs. There are some who are affected by the bronchial tubes and others that have problems with their spleen.
The symptoms of asthma can be quite severe for those who suffer from it. It can cause shortness of breath, heavy coughing, wheezing, and fast and regular pulse. Some of these people may even have difficulty breathing. Asthma affects about 4 million people in the United States alone. Many people with asthmatic conditions often have to stay indoors due to the fact that they simply cannot take a normal walk outdoors.
Many different things can cause an asthmatic condition. These causes include: allergies, eczema, weather conditions, smoking, exercise, and family history. Many of these conditions can be controlled by simply following a few guidelines. It is important to know what you are reacting to and how your body is reacting to it. When you know what you are dealing with, it will be easier to treat.
Many children suffer from asthma as well. They usually outgrow it as they get older. Children who suffer from asthma often have trouble sleeping at night. They also tend to wake up during the night in a cold sweat and wet clothes. It is very important for children to get enough sleep and to make sure that their room is clean, or at least relatively clean.
If you suspect that you are suffering from asthma, you should immediately seek medical attention. An asthma test is one way to find out if you have this condition or not. Asthma testing is usually performed by your physician or other health care professional. Once the results of the test are in you should be able to determine whether or not you have asthma.
The good news about asthma is that there are a lot of different ways to treat the disease. There are medications available both over the counter and by prescription. You can even take homeopathic remedies to help control the symptoms of asthma. Remember that prevention is always key for controlling asthma.
You should try to avoid triggering the asthma symptoms. For example, if you have an asthma attack when you are around pets, you should keep them out of your home. Pet hair can trigger the onset of an attack. Other triggers that are outside of your control include pollen, cold air and car exhaust.
If you smoke, you should quit. This will prevent you from experiencing the symptoms. There are many different types of inhalers that you can use to control the symptoms of asthma. You should talk with your physician about these types of inhalers to see which ones will work best for you.