If you notice your child breathing rapidly coupled with a fast heart rate, prolonged expiration and over-inflation of the chest, then it would be wise to take him to a doctor. Your child may be suffering from asthma. A chronic respiratory disease, whose name was derived from the Greek word “ aazein” (sharp breath), asthma is characterized by inflamed, mucus-lined airway that eventually narrows or constricts, causing a person to wheeze, cough or breath rapidly. The disease is said to be triggered by a host of factors, the most common of which are allergens, exertion, cold air and stress. Some medical studies have linked asthma to genetics, while others consider the environment as the main contributor. Often recurring, asthma is believed to be a result of bronchial hyper-responsiveness. Asthma “attacks” can range form mild to serious. Severe asthma attacks are known to cause some patients to experience chest pains and lose consciousness. In cases where asthma patients were not immediately attended to during a severe attack, death can occur. When diagnosing asthma, a patient’s medical history is referred to. Any episode of allergy in the patient’s history is basis for the belief that the patient is pre-disposed to asthma. A peak flow meter is used to test airway restrictions to look at diurnal variation. This is accomplished by testing the peak flow while the patient is at rest and after strenuous exercise. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary aspiration is oftentimes mistaken as asthma because of the similarities of symptoms. A differential diagnosis will determine if a person has asthma or one of these diseases. Asthma, according to the US National Heart, lung and Blood Institute, can be categorized into four groups- mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent. Unfortunately, asthma is one of the few diseases that can not be cured. Its symptoms can only be managed or controlled to prevent any worsening of the person’s condition. Treatment for asthma symptoms varies and depends on severity and cause. Bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medicines are believed to be highly effective in relieving airway constriction. Long-acting beta-agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors and anti-cholinergics are also effective medications. Many medical experts believe that identifying the triggers could reduce the risk of an asthma attack. Cleaning the patient’s home regularly, avoiding furry animals, keeping the humidity low and using dust-proof material for furniture are good things a patient can do to lessen chances of an attack. Other preventive measures include avoidance of aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, non-prescription inhalers and certain cough medicines. People with asthma should not feel that they could not function normally. Aside from the patient’s immediate families and friends, many support and counseling groups are now available to help people with asthma manage the disease. Patients are advised to learn what to do in instances of a severe asthma attack to prepare them in situations where no immediate help is available. Establishing a good and long-term relationship with a licensed medical provider is also important for people with asthma. 

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