Asthma
Asthma is a disease where the airways of a patient become inflammed (by an immune respose to a non-toxic stimulus) and thus causes obstruction in the airways. Asthma can be triggered by a variety of factors, commonly an enviromental stimulus such as smoke inhallation, cold air and traffic fumes. Asthma attacks are a widely known symptom of the disease where the patient has a rapid swelling of the lungs causing wheezing, difficulty breathing and a sense of panic in the patient.
Prevention
Asthma is easily treated using an inhalor. An inhalor is a small device which the patient places in the mouth, pushes to release the contents and inhales in the drug.
Commonly salbutamol and ipatropium are found in inhalors, which are used as a fast acting solution to stop asthma attacks when they happen.
We also prescribe drugs called preventers to stop asthma occurring in the first place, commonly found preventors are glucocorticoids however these may cause Cushing's syndrome.
What do I do if someone has an asthma attack?
According to www.emedicinehealth.com approximately 5000 people die in the United States each year from asthma and is one of the most common reasons why people visit A&E and call ambulances.
If somone has an asthma attack it may be life threatening if the situation isnt handled properly and quickly.
As we have developed preventor drugs
References