Know the Facts About
ASTHMA
If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, here are answers to some of the most common questions about the condition:
Getting Ready for
SPRING ACTIVITIES Now that the weather is getting warmer, you may be itching to get out and do all the outdoor activities you haven’t been able to enjoy during the winter months. However, since you probably haven't done these activities for quite a while, it’s important to start slowly to avoid injuries. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy as you get back into your favorite outdoor activities: Start slowly: Overuse injuries are very common at the start of spring, so take time now to prepare your body before you overexert yourself. Stretch and warm up before any physical activity: Take 5–10 minutes to elevate your heart rate and increase blood flow to your muscles. Warmups can include lunges, jumping jacks or light jogging. Stay hydrated: Although this is good advice anytime, it’s especially important when you’re engaging in physical activity. When dehydrated, your muscles and tendons are less flexible, which can increase your risk of muscle strain. Listen to your body: If you feel any discomfort, stop the activity and assess why you may be feeling pain. If the pain doesn’t subside after using conservative measures like ice, heat and elevation, see your doctor.
What causes asthma?
In many cases, patients are born with asthma. Often, children’s asthma improves after puberty, but it can return in later life. Some patients develop asthma during adulthood, perhaps due to an acute lung infection like pneumonia or bronchitis, or due to exposure to noxious chemicals. In some cases, however, asthma has no apparent cause.
What treatment options are available?
Asthma is treated with various inhaled medications, and treatment is based on the frequency of symptoms. If a patient is having symptoms at night or more than once a week, they are usually placed on a daily medicine to prevent and control asthma symptoms. For acute asthma symptoms, patients are normally instructed to use a rescue inhaler to help open their airways and allow them to relax. In addition, patients also may be placed on medications for allergies, postnasal drip and heartburn.
Are there ways to avoid or minimize attacks?
Using inhalers appropriately; minimizing exposure to triggers like smoke, dust and other allergens; and monitoring your symptoms are a few ways to minimize the frequency and severity of attacks. In addition, therapies may need to be escalated with changes of season, so it’s important to talk to your physician about preventive options. sentara.com
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