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Asthma
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a disease in which the airways or the tubes in the lungs that carry air get swollen. These swollen air tubes are more sensitive to certain things. See the picture below
How do I know that I have asthma?
If you have asthma then you will get ‘Asthma Attacks’. During an
asthma attack you will have
*Coughing
*Wheezing or whistling sound coming from your lungs
*Shortness of breath
*Chest tightness
How can I find out if I have asthma?
Who gets asthma?
who have asthma are at risk for asthma.
My doctor told me that I have asthma. What do I need to do?
Second take the medications and inhalers that your doctor gives you.
What are the things my lungs may be sensitive to?
*Cockroaches
*Pollen which comes from plants
*Animals
*Cigarette smoke
*Air pollution
*Paints, bleach, sprays
*Infection such as cold
*Exercise
*Drugs such as over-the-counter
pain pills.
*Strong emotions
My doctor told me that I have asthma. What do I need to do?
First you should avoid the things which your lungs are sensitive to.
Second take the medications and inhalers that your doctor
gives you.
What types of inhalers are used for Asthma?
There are 2 types of inhalers that are used in Asthma
One is the rescue inhaler. You use it when you have an asthma attack.
The other type is used to decrease the swelling of your airways. This is
used on a daily basis.
What do I need to do if I have an asthma attack?
Use the rescue inhaler that your doctor gave you for an asthma attack.
See a doctor as soon as possible if
*If your attack gets worse.
*If the pills and inhalers don’t help.
What is a peak flow meter?
Peak flow meter is a small tube in which you blow air. This gives you a
score on the tube. The higher the score, the better is your lung
function. Your doctor may ask you to write the score down.
When your score falls then it tells you that you may be having an
asthma attack.