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What Is the Goal of Your Asthma Treatment Plan?


Asthma is a chronic disease of the passageways that carry air to the lungs. These "airways" become narrow and the linings become swollen, irritated and inflamed. In children with asthma, they may be especially sensitive to many irritants, such as viral infections, cigarette and other smoke, cold air, and particles or chemicals in the air.

Asthma is a chronic disease of the passageways that carry air to the lungs. These "airways" become narrow and the linings become swollen, irritated and inflamed. In children with asthma, they may be especially sensitive to many irritants, such as viral infections, cigarette and other smoke, cold air, and particles or chemicals in the air. Allergies to dust, animals, pollens and molds can also cause asthma.

Treatment for any disease should be aimed at achieving a specific outcome. Sometimes, as with cancer, treatment is aimed at a cure for the condition. Other times, it is simply to alleviate symptoms. Asthma treatment is aimed at specific goals, our outcomes too. Unfortunately, the goal of asthma treatment does not include a cure.

Tartrazine

Tartrazine, a yellow dye (FD&C Yellow Dye #5) that has been used in foods (for example, margarine) and medications has been demonstrated to cause asthmatic attacks in certain sensitive individuals. At this time it appears this is a rare reaction affecting only a few patients. Those who have experienced attacks after ingestion of tartrazine should avoid it and check carefully for the presence of this substance in foods and medications.

Do I Have to Change My Job?

When considering how an occupation impacts on bronchial asthma, you must consider several factors. The environment may have a substantial influence on asthma. Working outdoors in cold air may trigger asthmatic attacks. High degrees of air pollution with exposure to ozone, sulfur dioxide, and particulates may affect asthmatic workers with outdoor jobs. Patients with known allergies to pollens and mold spores as well as other allergens may have to work in air-conditioned environments.

This condition is created by a work exposure and must be distinguished from the worsening of a preexisting condition in the workplace. It is clear that allergic individuals may be likelier to develop occupational asthma. Asthmatic patients should research their occupations for the incidence of work related illnesses.

Since asthma may worsen with exercise, it is important for a patient to consider how much exertion is required by a particular occupation. Heavy exertion may have to be avoided to reduce the incidence of asthma attacks. Just as the athlete may benefit from premedication with a B2-agonist or cromolyn sodium before exercise, the worker may also use this approach if high degrees of exertion are required.

With the above precautions and adjustments, it should be possible to avoid changing a patient''s occupation due to the presence of bronchial asthma.

Achieving Your Asthma goals

One of the treatment goals of bronchial asthma is achieving as normal a lifestyle as you can. Patients who actively participate in their care will often achieve this goal. As noted previously, participation includes self-monitoring and education, avoidance and elimination of irritating sub. stances from your environment, adjustment of activity and diet, and communication with the physician. These steps require time and effort but the benefits of improvement will certainly be forthcoming.

Asthma Management Plan: It is important that you recognize the symptoms of asthma. When your child develops any symptoms of asthma it is important that you follow your asthma action(or management) plan. If you don''t know what your asthma action plan is, ask your pediatrician.

Avoid Triggers: History will determine what triggers your child''s asthma the worst. Below are some of the most ommon triggers for asthma.

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Article Details
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Author:Ricky Hussey
Publication:Health, general community
Geographic Code:1USA
Date:Sep 19, 2008
Words:642
Previous Article:The Asthma Diet
Next Article:Asthma - Learn What Is Asthma and It's Treatment



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