By Nurse Diane
A few years ago, a friend of
mine, my doctor, had an asthma attack.
It was so severe that he was flown to Jackson to the hospital and put in
ICU. He did not survive this attack. He was a young man, in his 40's, a well-known
physician, married to a nurse.
According to worldasthmaday.org,
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 300 million people suffer from
asthma and it’s the most common chronic disease among children. WHO also notes
that asthma affects people in all countries around the world regardless of
development although most deaths occur in lower income countries.
Asthma is a chronic disease of
the air passages (or bronchial) that lead to and from the lungs that makes
breathing difficult. Usually there is inflammation, which results in a temporary
narrowing of the passages that carry oxygen to the lungs.
Symptoms vary from person to
person and in intensity, but generally include coughing, wheezing, shortness of
breath, chest pain or pressure. Asthma sufferers often have recurrent attacks
of breathlessness and wheezing. Symptoms may occur several times a day or week
and may become worse during physical activity or during the night.
During an attack, the lining of
the bronchial tubes swells, causing airways to become narrow and reducing the
flow of air in and out of the lungs. These attacks can cause sleeplessness,
fatigue, reduced activity and absenteeism from work or school.
The basic causes of asthma are
not completely understood, but risk factors for developing the disease include
a genetic predisposition along with exposure to particles and substances that
irritate the air passages and cause allergic reactions. Some irritants include
dust in furnishings, pets, tobacco smoke, chemicals and air pollution.
Other causes include physical
exercise, medications (aspirin and beta blockers), cold air and even emotional
reactions such as stress, anger and fear.
Today is World Asthma Day. World Asthma Day is an annual event organized
by the Global Initiative for Asthma with a goal to improve asthma awareness and
care around the world. For ways you can
help get the news out about asthma, visit this site: http://worldasthmaday.org/support/
I can relate to your post, since I had a double lung transplant after many years of suffering from acute asthma. Your article nailed this one on the head. Well done Diane, and wishing a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you also!
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