Cronic Disease Paper: Asthma

Asthma is a condition where the patient’s airways are narrow and swell to produce extra mucus. This makes breathing difficult and in turn triggers coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. For certain people asthma is a minor thing but for other people it can be major and a life-threatening situation. Asthma can be cured and controlled; because asthma is a changing disease make sure the patient works with the doctor so he/she can keep their asthma under control. “In the U.S. more than 25 million people have asthma, 7 million are children” (What Causes Asthma). If a patient has asthma they may experience an asthma attack also called asthma exacerbation, an asthma attack occurs when your airways become swollen and inflamed, the muscles around the airways contract causing the bronchial tubes to narrow and then causing an asthma attack. During an asthma attack the patient may experience coughing, wheezing, and having trouble catching their breath. A minor attack can be treated at home but a serious attack can be life-threatening and may require the patient to go to the emergency room. To stop having an attack or prevent an attack the patient needs to treat it early before the airways get flared up. There is exercise- induced asthma also called exercise-induced bronchospasm which occurs during or after and exercise or strenuous activity which produces coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath or trouble catching breath. If the patient is pregnant and has asthma both the baby and the patient is at risk. If a patient is pregnant they will need to know how to avoid triggers. If a patient’s asthma is controlled during pregnancy there is little or no risk to the baby although if uncontrolled the patient increase issues such as oxygen ...

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...ort-acting asthma inhaler some side effects of this medication include more common- shakiness, trembling or shaking of hands and feet; less common- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heart beat or pulse; rare- hives or welts, skin rash, swelling of mouth or throat, and difficulty breathing. Another asthma medication is Advair a long-acting asthma inhaler with some side effects like the common ones blurred vision, eye pain, hives or welts, sore throat, and swollen glands; some unknown side effects include bruising, height decrease, difficulty moving, fractures, and muscle wasting. (Advair Diskus Side Effects)

Asthma is a chronic disease that restricts patient’s airways and restricts them from breathing to the fullest of their ability. Asthma varies in severity but regardless of the fact the patient must speak with a doctor and find a treatment that works for them.