Asthma Quiz

Asthma is a common, chronic respiratory disease that causes difficulty breathing. Both inflammation and narrowing of the airways make it hard to breathe. About 26 million adults and children in the U.S. suffer from this common condition.

There is no cure for asthma, but it can be effectively managed and controlled.
- Avoid asthma triggers
- Use effective asthma control medications including quick-relief medicines for immediate relief, and long-term control medicines. Allergy shots (immunotherapy) may also help
- See an allergist (asthma specialist) for a treatment program
Effective control of asthma will help patients prevent symptoms, reduce the need for quick-relief medicines, maintain good lung function, help you keep your normal activity levels, and prevent asthma attacks.

When asthma symptoms become suddenly worse than usual, a person is said to be having an asthma attack. Severe asthma attacks can close the airways so much that vital organs do not get enough oxygen.

An asthma attack occurs when asthma symptoms worsen acutely, and patients feel as if they cannot breathe. Asthma is inflammation and narrowing of the airways (bronchi), and during an attack the muscles around the bronchial tubes constrict and make it very difficult to breathe. Other symptoms may include wheezing or a rattling sound in the chest. Severe asthma attacks (status asthmaticus) are considered a medical emergency and a delay in care may result in cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, or death.

Asthma attacks occur when a person is exposed to "triggers," or conditions that can set off an attack. Common asthma triggers include:

cAllergens (trees, pollen, dust, animal dander, cockroaches, etc.)
- Air irritants (smoke, chemical fumes, strong odors)
- Some illnesses (such as the flu, sinus infection, or upper respiratory tract infection)
- Strenuous exercise
- Extreme weather conditions
- Strong emotions that may change your normal breathing patterns
Before an asthma attack some common warning signs include an increased need for quick-relief medications (rescue medications), worsening cough, shortness of breath, and lower exercise

Respiratory failure occurs when insufficient oxygen passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, or when the lungs can no longer remove carbon dioxide (a waste product) from the blood. A severe asthma attack (called status asthmaticus) that does not respond to fast-acting medications can lead to respiratory failure.

There is no cure for asthma, but the disease can be controlled in most patients with good medical care. The condition should be taken seriously, since uncontrolled asthma may result in emergency hospitalization and possible death.