Asthma: A common lung disorder in which inflammation causes the bronchi to swell and narrow the airways, creating breathing difficulties that may range from mild to life-threatening. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness. The diagnosis of asthma is based on evidence of wheezing and is confirmed with breathing tests. Many allergens and irritants can precipitate attacks of asthma. Avoidance of precipitating factors can be helpful. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, activity reduction, allergy shots, and medications to prevent or reverse the bronchospasm.

Solutions Medical offers a wide range of products to help you manage asthma, allergy and chronic lung conditions.

Asthma Can Be Deadly

Asthma causes millions of visits to doctors each year and nearly 2 million emergency room visits. And, tragically, asthma can kill. Most people who die from asthma are over age 50, but children sometimes die of the condition.

Asthma inhalers and nebulizers have advantages over oral medications and injections in that they deliver medicine directly to your airways. They also have fewer side effects than other forms of asthma medication.

People with asthma may become overly sensitive (hyperreactive) to certain inhaled allergens or irritants. These are called triggers of asthma, and these triggers can cause inflammation and narrowing of your airways. This occurs because some people's bodies are immunologically inclined to overreact to certain substances. The precise substance that may cause such a reaction varies from person to person. In the next three slides, we'll review asthma triggers in more detail.