What Are The Risk Factors of Asthma

By: Omar Sanchez

Period 6

Standards

IE1m Students know how to investigate a science-based societal issue by researching the literature, analyzing data, and communicating the findings. Examples of issues include the irradiation of food, cloning of animals by somatic cell transfer, choice of energy sources, and land and water use decisions in California.

10c Students know how vaccination protects an individual from infectious diseases.

What is asthma

Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease involving recurrent breathing problems

Asthma affects people of all ages (Asthma affects more then 22 million Americans half are children)

Asthma Facts

asthma accounts for nearly one out of four emergency room visits, and nearly a half million hospitalizations each year.

nearly 11 people die from asthma per day in the United States.

At this point in time, there is no known cure for asthma

There are different types of medications used to treat asthma.

Types of Asthma

intrinsic asthma

extrinsic asthma

Intrinsic asthma

These asthma are caused by allergies

Extrinsic Asthma is not caused by allergies

Asthma Attack

Asthma may be experienced only from time to time.

An asthma attack is usually triggered by something in the environment, such as breathing in pollens, cold air, dust, or perfumes.

It can also be triggered by anxiety, stress, or exercise.

Symptoms of Asthma

Wheezing

Tightness in the chest

Difficulty breathing

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Asthma Inhaler

An asthma inhaler is a commonly used method of treatment used by asthma sufferers.

An asthma inhaler immediately getting the medication directly into your lungs.

There are two different types of asthma inhalers the first type is known as a metered dose inhaler & the second type of inhaler is called a dry powder inhaler

Family History of Asthma

Blame Mom or dad or both for your asthma

If your parents have asthma you have three to six times more likely to develop asthma then someone who does not have a parents with asthma

Three-fifths of all asthma cases are hereditary

Treatments for Asthma

There are two types of asthma medications used to treat asthma

Long-term control medication is usually taken every day to control asthma symptoms and to prevent the occurrence of asthma attacks.

Quick-relief medication is primarily taken to relieve the sudden onset of asthma symptoms (such as during an asthma attack),

Gender and Asthma

Boys may be more likely to have childhood asthma than girls, but they are also more likely to grow out of it

A young male's airway size is smaller when compared to the female's airway which may contribute to increased risk of wheezing after a cold or other viral infection.

Around age 20, the ratio of asthma between men and women is the same. At age 40, more females than males have adult asthma

More females die of asthma than males, and women account for nearly 65% of asthma deaths overall

Disparities of Asthma

The rates of hospitalizations and deaths due to asthma are both 3 times higher among African Americans than among whites.

Puerto Ricans have the highest rates of asthma attacks and deaths due to asthma

Women account for nearly two-thirds of all deaths due to asthma in the United States.

Resources

http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/asthma-risk-factors?page=2

http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/yourhealth/healthgate/getcontent.asp?URLhealthgate=%2219115.html%22 by Michelle Badash, MS Date: Unknow

http://www.bettermedicine.com/topic/asthma/overview Medical Reviewer: Jenkins, Lee Date: Dec 31, 2008

http://www.allaboutasthma.org/asthma-attack.html

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/lung/asthma/naci/discover/disparities.htm