Today am here to write an article on a special topic which is actually my first post.
I would like to share with you an incident that happened yesterday during my working hour in prime hospital.
That yesterday, work was less at some point and am kind of less busy around 3:45pm, suddenly a child of about 8 years old was rushed into the hospital with the aid of her parents screaming thinking she's dead already.
At the initial stage i thought it was cardiac problem until i got close and realized she makes a hissing sound while breathing which could be termed "wheezing" and she coughs on several occasions and chest became tight .I discovered this could be asthmatic attack.
Five minutes later,Doctor came to emergency room where she laid and helped her use the reliever inhaler(which relaxes the muscle, allowing the airways to expand and ease breathing ),he also advised her to breathe slowly and deeply while she managed to sit up.
Bronchodilator drugs was administered immediately through the nebulizer to open her airways, also corticosteroid drugs was given as well intravenously to lower lungs inflammation. Extra oxygen was induced as well ,several precautions was taken until she became stabilized .
Yeah!!! I ghat you,this is becoming interesting.
At this point i would like to take you guys on what asthma is all about.
Asthma is a disease affecting the airways that carry air to and fro the lungs. people who suffer from this chronic condition (long lasting or recurrent) are said to be asthmatic. The inside walls of an asthmatic airways are swollen or inflammed ,this swelling or inflammation makes the airways extremely sensitive to irritations and susceptibility to an allergic reaction.
Asthma attack can be mild,moderate or severe.
At onset an asthma attack does allow enough oxygen to get into the lungs but it does not let the carbon dioxide leave the lungs at a fast enough rate.
Carbon dioxide(poisonous if not expelled)can build up in the lungs during a prolonged attack ,lowering the amount of oxygen getting into the bloodstream.
However,several changes happen inside the airways in the lungs of people who have asthma....First,there is inflammation or swelling of the lining of the airways.
Secondly,
the swollen tissues makes a thick slippery substance called mucus .
Thirdly,
the muscles around the airways may squeeze tight causing the airways to narrow .These three processes -inflammation ,mucus production and muscle constriction combine to reduce the size of the airways ...Wow!!!
Now this would blow your mind ,the degree to which asthma interferes with a person daily life varies significantly.
Some people have ongoing problems, they may have attacks anywhere from a couple of times a week to almost constantly, Their ability to take part in physical activities may be limited until treatment is being given to regulate an efficient functions of the lungs.
Those with milder problems are usually able to do whatever they want to do as long as they reduce their environmental triggering factors,take medicine as directed and follow any other advice from Doctors.
Mechanism of Asthma
During an asthma episode,inflammed airways react to environmental triggers such as smoke ,dust or pollution. The airways narrow and produce excess mucus making it difficult to breath. In essence,asthma is the result of an immune response in the bronchial airways.
Probably,Asthma can be caused by contact with allergens,certain irritants,or exposure to viral infections as an infant or in early childhood when the immune system isn't fully matured .Exposure to certain chemicals and dust in a certain environment.
However,it can be prevented by
identifying asthma triggers which include air pollution ,cold air and smoke. It is vital to learn and identify your asthma triggers to take steps and avoid them.
Stay away from allergens ie things you are allergic to,allergen exposure can increase the inflammation on your airways for a while,making an attack more likely.
*Avoid smokes of any type,limit exposure to all sources of smoke including tobacco,incense,candles,fire and fire works ...smoking always make asthma worse
*prevent colds,do what you can to stay well,avoid close contact with people who have cold because catching it will make your asthma symptoms worse
*Take medications as prescribed.
In is not so much treated as it is "controlled" as a chronic long term disease ,however there are tools and medicines to help control asthma as well as benchmarks to guide the progress.
Thanks!!!