Asthma-related illness causes reduced class time and reduced work productivity. It is the leading chronic illness of children in the United States; more than eight million children are afflicted nationwide. Every year, asthma accounts for over 2.2 million doctor visits and 10 million missed school days.

Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a (rapid or slow) narrowing of the bronchials in the lungs, usually associated with inflammation of airway walls and increased production of mucus.

Asthma is characterized by coughing (when there is no infection), tightness in the chest, and wheezing.

Asthma Diagnosis

A diagnosis of asthma can be made only after a clinical examination that includes taking a history and testing for breath capacity.

When asthma is not easily recognized misdiagnosis can happen. At such times, inappropriate and ineffective treatment such as antibiotics and cough medications may be given. Some groups of people are particularly difficult to diagnose. Conditions that may be confused with asthma include localized obstruction of airways, laryngeal dysfunction, gastro-esophageal reflux, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and cystic fibrosis.

Misdiagnosis:
Conditions that may be confused with asthma include localized obstruction of airways, laryngeal dysfunction, gastro-esophageal reflux, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and cystic fibrosis.

A note about wheezing: This whistling sound made by difficult breathing can also occur in babies with viral respiratory infection and in children who have swallowed food (i.e., a peanut) without sufficient chewing.

Groups difficult to diagnose:
* CHILDREN commonly show asthma symptoms only with viral illness, with exercise, or as coughing at night. The presence of recurrent nocturnal cough in an otherwise healthy child should raise awareness of asthma as a probable diagnosis.

* INFANTS may have recurrent episodes of wheezing associated with acute viral respiratory infections.

* SMOKERS frequently suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and experience symptoms similar to those associated with asthma, such as cough, sputum production, and wheezing.

* SENIORS often remain undiagnosed because their asthma may be confused with or hidden by diseases such as bronchitis, emphysema, and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

* WORKERS who are exposed to inhalant chemicals or allergens in the workplace can develop occupational asthma which is often misdiagnosed as chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is not treated at all or treated inappropriately.

* PEOPLE with SEASONAL ASTHMA have the underlying airway inflammation that defines asthma, but their symptoms occur only at those times of the year that correspond, for example, to a grass, pollen, or ragweed season.

* PEOPLE with COUGH-VARIANT ASTHMA seldom wheeze but have coughing, generally nocturnal, as their main, if not only, symptom.

* PEOPLE with CONTINUING ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS (ARI), particularly children, may have undiagnosed asthma because ARI symptoms are similar to asthma symptoms.

Asthma Treatment

Asthma is a (rapid or slow) narrowing of the bronchials in the lungs, usually associated with inflammation of airway walls and muscle constriction and increased production of mucus. Although asthma is chronic and not curable, the disease is manageable and episodes are reversible.

Properly treated, people with asthma lead normal lives. A doctor and patient (and/or patient's family) should work together to decide about treatment goals and what is needed to control asthma. This information should be included in an Asthma Action Plan (AAP) that is unique to the patient. Every individual has his own. AAPs list what medications should be taken and other things necessary to keep asthma under control.

Asthma prevention includes:

* Avoiding triggers that bring on your asthma symptoms or make symptoms worse. Avoiding triggers is the best way to reduce the amount of medicine needed to control asthma. In some cases, allergy medicine and allergy shots may help control asthma.

* Using asthma medicines. Asthma medications target: inflammation, constriction and excess mucus production. There are two main types:

1. Long-term Control medicines are taken daily to control chronic symptoms (inflammation of airway walls) and to prevent asthma episodes or attacks. People with persistent asthma need long-term control meds. The full effects of these medicines will not be felt for a few weeks.

2. Quick Relief medicines that give rapid, short-term treatment and are taken when you have worsening asthma symptoms (muscle constriction and increased production of mucus) that can lead to an asthma attack. These medicines will bring relief within minutes.

With proper treatment, asthmatics should have these results:

* Their asthma should be controlled.
* They should be free of asthma symptoms.
* They should have fewer attacks.
* They should need to use short-acting bronchodilators less often.
* They should be able to do normal activities without having symptoms.

You can learn more about asthma treatment from the CDC website.