ASTHMA

Asthma is a long term disease that inflames and narrows the airways to the lungs

ABOUT 8% OF AMERICANS HAVE ASTHMA

ASTHMA WAS CONNECTED TO 3,404 AMERICAN DEATHS IN 2010

ASTHMA FACTS

• An asthmatic has swollen or inflamed airways
• This makes the airways sensitive to allergy
• The tightened airways make it harder to get air

ASTHMA SYMPTOMS

• Wheezing during breath
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in chest
• Symptoms appear most often late at night or early in the morning

CAUSES OF ASTHMA

• Asthma can be inherited from parents, and if it runs in a family, a child is more susceptible to struggle with the disease
• Environmental factors, however, can affect someone enough to give them asthma even without genetic history of it

SMOKING AMPLIFIES ASTHMA

ASTHMA TRIGGERS

• Allergens in the air (pollen)
• Respiratory infections
• Physical exercise
• Polluted air
• Cold air

ASTHMA TREATMENT

• Asthma medications that reduce swelling in airways
• Inhalers
• Nebulizer (mouthpiece or mask inhaler)

DEALING WITH ASTHMA

Do

• Eat and sleep well
• Keep home clean
• Wash your hands
• Get a flu shot
• Take medications as directed by your doctor

DON'T

• Smoke
• Hang around people while they are smoking
• Avoid anything connected to your allergies (if there is an allergic component)
• Allow it to limit your life (take medication if it does)

RESEARCH

• A lot of the research is related to what lifestyles are connected to asthma (environment, social life, etc.)
• Research is being done to find breathing exercises that help to calm asthma

CURRENTLY, THERE IS NO TRUE CURE FOR ASTHMA

ACTIVITY

The smaller basket is like the tightened airway of someone with asthma. Since it is more difficult to make it in this basket, it is worth three points and the other is worth one.

THE END