What happens during an episode of asthma

Asthma occurs when the airflow moving in and out of the lungs are blocked by muscle squeezing, swelling, and excess mucus. In response to a trigger, an asthmatic’s airways become narrowed and inflamed, causing blocking of the airways that result in wheezing and/or coughing symptoms. Air becomes trapped in the air sacs, not allowing for the proper exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This trapped air leads to a low oxygen level in the body, thus, triggering an asthma attack. During an asthma attack, the mucus-producing cells within the airway increase their output, causing excess mucus that blocks the airway. Parts of the airway become entirely blocked with the combination of airway narrowing, mucus plugging, and airway inflammation. These attacks vary in length. A single episode can be over in minutes, or continue for hours or even days. In between asthma episodes the patient may be totally symptom free. Other patients may have slight symptoms such as chest tightness or a hacking cough.

Should people with Asthma Exercise?
Answer to this question is positive only if they are feeling well exercising. Everyone who is physically able to do so can benefit from exercise. It is generally advisable to consult a physician before beginning any exercise program. Persons with asthma may need to take special precautions in cold weather or during seasons when pollen is in the air. They may be able to prevent exercise-induced asthma symptoms by using an inhaled bronchodilator before exercise.

Asthma itself can cause side effects?
Lot of people focus on the side effects of treatment of asthma, so much that they forget that asthma if not treated properly can also cause side effects. Apart from the risk of dying from asthma, there is also a risk that lung function will deteriorate over the years and that you will become disabled by chronic asthma as you age. Children with poorly treated asthma do not grow properly and pregnant women with poorly controlled asthma have a higher risk of complications.

Treatment for Asthma.
Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with proper asthma management.
The first step in asthma management is environmental control. Asthmatics cannot escape the environment, but through some changes, they can control its impact on their health.
Listed below are some ways to change the environment in order to lessen the chance of an asthma attack:

* Clean the house at least once a week and wear a mask while doing it
* Avoid pets with fur or feathers
* Wash the bedding (sheets, pillow cases, mattress pads) weekly in hot water
* Encase the mattress, pillows and box springs in dust-proof covers
* Replace bedding made of down, kapok or foam rubber with synthetic materials
* Consider replacing upholstered furniture with leather or vinyl
* Consider replacing carpeting with hardwood floors or tile
* Use the air conditioner
* Keep the humidity in the house low

The second step is to monitor lung function. Asthmatics use a peak flow meter to gauge their lung function. Lung function decreases before symptoms of an asthma attack - usually about two to three days prior. If the meter indicates the peak flow is down by 20 percent or more from your usual best effort, an asthma attack is on its way.

The third step in managing asthma involves the use of medications. There are two major groups of medications used in controlling asthma - anti-inflammatories (corticosteroids) and bronchodilators.