Welcome to our occasional series from our Parish Nurse Ministry! These articles will provide snippets of useful information for your physical and mental health and wellness.
Asthma Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may occur a few times a day or a few times a week. Depending on the person, asthma symptoms may become worse at night or with exercise. Common misconceptions surrounding asthma include: ·Asthma is a childhood disease; and individuals will grow out of it as they age. ·Asthma is infectious ·Asthma suffers should not exercise ·Asthma is controllable only with high doses of steroids
The truth is: ·Asthma can occur at any age ·Asthma is not infectious. However viral respiratory infections (such as the common cold and the flu) can cause asthma attacks. ·In children, asthma is frequently associated with an allergy, but asthma that starts in adulthood is less often due to an allergy. ·When asthma is well controlled, patients are able to exercise and even perform in sport activities. Discuss with your health care provider before staring any exercise program. Asthma is most often controllable with low dose inhaled steroids. If you or a loved one has any of these symptoms, schedule a visit with your health care provider.