Today, nearly 2.5 million Canadians suffer from asthma. In Quebec, it is estimated that over 600 000 people affected, more than 350,000 children and adolescents.
Each year, the country, the direct and indirect costs of asthma over a billion dollars. Thus, the disease causes approximately 70,000 emergency room visits, hospitalizations and 4000, unfortunately, between 150 and 300 deaths.
I/ Situation
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchi and durable.
While breathing is effortless for asthmatic crisis, these movements are extremely difficult. Crises cause difficulties to inspire and especially to …show more content…
Please note that the transmission of the disease (or its severity) is not the rule and it is more likely to talk about family and genetic predisposition. A number of genetic disorders are likely to increase the risk of asthma but not cause it to fail. Thus the development of a genetic test does not appear possible today;
An allergic component can be more frequently found in asthmatics. Or patients themselves have been victims of allergy (allergic rhinitis, eczema, allergic conjunctivitis.) Or members of their families were.
A crisis can occur because of many factors. The elements can trigger an asthma attack are many and vary from person to person but to one person over time. Among the main triggers are:
- Allergens: mold, dust mites, pollen, or food allergens of animal hair;
Polluting combustion products (automobile pollution), indoor pollutants (solvent, paint, etc.) or industrial (chimney smoke.)
- Cigarette smoke: in young children, passive smoking caused by parental smoking increases the risk of developing asthma;
- Exercise can occur after or during exercise. In the latter case, it is difficult to distinguish the breathlessness "normal";
- Stress or strong emotions can trigger seizures.
III/ Solution
When should I …show more content…
The diagnosis of asthma is based on the physician's clinical examination and on pulmonary function. Initially, the doctor will look for clues that can make you think asthma (symptoms characteristic, trigger, etc.). In a second step, in case of suspicion, pulmonary function tests (PFT) will be conducted to measure the breath. For more information on these exams, see our text "How carried the diagnosis of asthma."
What are the treatments for asthma?
There are two types of treatments:
The treatment of the crisis brings immediate relief. These bronchodilators short of the most often delivered by inhalation action (or injectable route in rare cases);
Background therapy can reduce or avoid symptoms and prevent deterioration of lung function over time. They include the treatment of inhaled cromones, of inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators long duration of action (the latter two compounds may be associated in some inhaled drugs) or anti-leukotrienes.
Thermal and climatic cures can be beneficial to the patient, but can not substitute for treatment. Desensitization can be addressed only some asthmatics.
IV/ Solution to the problem
Can it be