Health Education

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the bronchial tubes, causing the airways to narrow and reducing the flow of air into and out of the lungs. This triggers recurrent asthma attacks of breathlessness and wheezing in the chest, accompanied by cough after being exposed to allergic triggers or pulmonary irritants. Such asthma attacks vary from one person to another, in terms of their recurrence and severity. It is one of the most common diseases among children.

Triggers of Asthma:

- Tobacco.

- Allergies from chemicals, bird feathers, animal fur, pollen, dust, certain foods or liquids or preservatives.

- Viral inflammation of the respiratory system.

- Certain medications can trigger asthma: aspirin and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

- Extreme Emotional arousal such as anger or fear.

- Harsh physical exercise.

- Hormonal changes, like the menstrual cycle of some women.

- Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease.

Symptoms indicating asthma:

Symptoms range from mild to acute, varying from one person to another:

- Shortness of breath.

- Chest pain.

- Sleep disorders owing to the shortness of breath.

- Whistling sound when breathing or exhaling.

- Frequent cough, accompanied by sniffles and sneezing, especially in case of a viral infection of the respiratory tract.

Persons at Risk: 

Following are some of the factors believed to increase the risk of asthma incidence:

- Medical history of asthma in the family.

- Overweight and obesity.

- Smoking (or passive smoking).

- Exposure to irritants (such as the chemicals used in hair transplantation and hairdressing).

- Pollution (especially air pollution: factory smoke, vehicle exhaust, etc.)

Tips for prevention and control of asthma:

Asthma patients have a crucial role to play in controlling the disease, by following these tips:

- Avoid triggers of internal and external allergy.

- Cooperate with the doctor, and follow a comprehensive therapeutic plan, including medications, basic tests and examinations, as well as scheduled appointments for follow-up.

- Follow up with the doctor of the family, and comply with his instructions.

- Keep a medical file for you at the hospital or health center.

- Cooperate with the doctor of the family at the health center, as well as at the hospital (through the Referral System).

- Keep with you a card indicating the medications you take.

- Don’t buy medications from the pharmacy by yourself, without consulting your doctor.

- Don’t use the medications prescribed for others.

- Pay attention to public health, fitness, health food and exercise.

- Quit smoking, and avoid being close to smokers, as well as the triggers of asthma.

- Take the seasonal influenza vaccine, to curb the possibility of being infected by influenza.

It is recommended to head to the emergency sections in the following cases:

- Acute or ongoing symptoms, such as whistling breathe, shortness of breath and chest pain. 

- When there is no response to bronchodilators.

- Exacerbation of symptoms, and failure to breathe or speak.

- Chest clenching, shortness of breath, and increase the rate of breathing and heartbeat.

- When the limbs turn blue, and the general health condition deteriorates, accompanied fainting in advanced cases.