asthma
Are you at a greater risk of death from asthma?
Risk factors for death from asthma You may be at greater risk of death from asthma if you: have a past history of sudden, severe asthma attacks or a family history of such attacks. have been admitted to an intensive care unit for asthma. ...read more
Are you at risk for asthma and how can you tell ?
Who is at risk for asthma? In the United States, about 20 million people have been diagnosed with asthma; nearly 9 million of them are children. Asthma is closely linked to allergies. Most, but not all, people with asthma have allergies. Children with a family history of al...read more
Asthma & altitude sickness
What is altitude sickness ? People who are not used to living at high altitudes can become unwell (known as altitude sickness) when they visit mountainous areas. While their body acclimatises to the shortage of oxygen they can suffer symptoms, including light-headedness, he...read more
Asthma & exercise
Some people with asthma find that exercise triggers their asthma symptoms. However, exercise is good for everyone, including people with asthma. If your asthma is well controlled, you should be able to join in, have fun and keep fit. If your asthma symptoms ...read more
Asthma & older people
Some people who have had asthma all their life may find that it starts affecting them in different ways when they get older. For example, they may have coughed or wheezed previously, but as they get older, they may notice they become more breathless. Changing triggers In ...read more
Asthma & women
As a woman your body will go through changes that can affect your asthma. Here we answer questions about puberty, menstruation, the pill, menopause, osteoporosis and HRT.PubertyHormonal changes can affect asthma in adolescent girls. Some girls find their asthma is worse arou...read more
Asthma and acupuncture
The incidence of asthma has been steadily increasing in industrialised countries in the past decades. In spite of the introduction of several new drugs for the treatment of asthma, it is still by far the most common chronic debilitating disease in childhood. Some researchers...read more
Asthma and children: as they grow
As your child grows their asthma may change its symptoms, treatment and severity. Your involvement will also change. For example, you will have to be responsible for your toddler taking their medication, but as the child grows, this responsibility is gradual...read more
Asthma and illness
Everyone gets sick sometimes. Not being well adds stress to your life and you already know that when you are under stress your asthma plays up. Asthmatics get asthma in 89% of the colds they catch. To make your illness have a minimal effect on your asthma try the following t...read more
Asthma and pregnancy
Having a child is a time of great joy and this shouldn’t be diminished if you’re asthmatic. However, many women worry that taking asthma drugs will have a negative effect of their developing child and some even stop taking their medication regularly. This is not ...read more
Asthma and related conditions
Asthma goes hand in hand with rhinitis, hay fever, nasal polyps and sinusitis.Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is said to be asthma of the nose because the same three things develop which occur in an asthma attack: smooth muscle tightens, the passage lining s...read more
Asthma and surgery
Asthmatics who undergo surgery may face several problems and so it must approached cautiously.It is useful to carry with you information about your health in case you need emergency surgery and are unable to tell any one that you are asthmatic. This could st...read more
Asthma and the elderly
Don’t be fooled into thinking asthma is only a childhood disease.It can occur for the "first" time in your thirties or forties or even in your sixties or seventies. It is regularly diagnosed as a new condition in the elderly. But according to the latest resea...read more
Asthma and women
Asthma is definitely not just a childhood disease. You can develop it at any age. Many women are diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 55 but, unfortunately, few women realise that they are vulnerable. Specialists are concerned about the increased rate of sev...read more
Asthma control at home
Asthma control can be a juggling act and obviously the rules willvary according to your severity. Remember, that almost anything can trigger asthma. Triggers in the home may make asthma symptoms worse or keep you from getting better. While it's important to ...read more
Asthma emergency: don't waste time!
Rush to your closest hospital if: Your symptoms get worse even after taking extra medication. You’re having a hard time breathing (or your peak flow has dropped below 50%) You’re struggling to walk or talk. Your lips and fingernails ...read more
Asthma friendly and unfriendly sports
Asthma-friendly sports fulfill a number of requirements. When weighing up which sport to begin ask the following questions: When participating in this sport are you able to control your breathing rate and depth? Can you breathe through your n...read more
Asthma in elderly
Elderly asthmatics need to take special care of themselves because asthma-related deaths are highest in the 75 year plus age group.There are a number of possible reasons for this: As we age our body loses its flexibility and elasticity. The airways...read more
Asthma in pregnancy
When you are pregnant, you are breathing for two. Managing your asthma is essential at this time in your life. Asthma in pregnancy varies a great deal from woman to woman. During pregnancy a third of women find their asthma worsens, while the rest improve or remain the same....read more
Asthma management plan
Once your child has been diagnosed asthmatic, you and your doctor should write up an Asthma Management Plan. These plans vary according to the child and the severity of their asthma.The plan should cover: how to recognise the signs of an attack, and w...read more
Asthma symptoms in children
Symptoms in children are similar to that of adults. Your child may experience wheezing or breathlessness, especially when playing or running around with their friends. Persistent coughing is common at night or after exercise. A tight-chested feeling may be described as somet...read more
Asthma treatments for children
If you have read our treatment section you will know that there are two types of drugs: relievers and preventers. The first type - relievers - open the airway and treat the attack, bringing relief. The second type of drug - preventers - help...read more
Asthma, a leading cause of school absenteeism
Allergies are a common condition that occurs in about 20 percent of children in the United States. Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses of childhood, affecting more than 3 million children in the United States alone. Allergies and asthma are leading causes of s...read more
Asthma, the elephant sitting on your chest...
"Asthma" comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "panting"and, if you've experienced an asthma attack, you'll understand why. For some, an asthma attack feels as though an elephant is sitting on their chest, while for others breathing becomes so laboure...read more
Asthma: emergency situations
What Happens in an Acute Attack? In an acute attack, the airways are greatly narrowed by swelling, bronchoconstriction and mucus plugging. It's like running on the spot for a few minutes and breathing through a straw. Your diaphragm and chest walls become e...read more
previous 25 articles - 
