Asthma is a chronic airway disease characterized by reversible airway narrowing, with symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough that change over time and occur in attacks. Symptoms vary over time. This variability is related to allergic factors, exercise, weather change, respiratory infections, and seasonal variations.
Although it has been seen with increasing frequency in children and adults in the last century, its incidence was 4.3% in a study conducted in 70 countries that are members of the World Health Organization.
Personal, genetic and environmental factors are effective in the development of asthma. Genetic factors are among the leading risk factors. The risk of asthma is increased in children whose parents have asthma.
Obesity is another risk factor for asthma. Asthma is more common in those with a body mass index over 30 kg/m2 and is more difficult to control.
In terms of gender, asthma is more common in children and in males, while it is more common in adults and women.
< br /> Environmental factors include allergens, microorganisms, infections, smoking, indoor and outdoor air pollution, factors that cause occupational asthma, and diet. The most common allergens are house dust mites, cat and dog dander, fungi and cockroaches. While long-term exposure to allergen causes asthma; Exposure of asthmatic people to allergens causes symptoms to increase and exacerbation.
Exposure to cigarette smoke in the womb or after birth in infancy increases the risk of developing asthma.
Risk groups for occupational asthma are among the risk groups. The main fields are baking, dairy farming, farming, detergent manufacturing, fish products manufacturing, food processing, grain labor, health sector, poultry farming, carpentry, ship loading, silk business, beauty salon, coating, refinery, automobile painting and plastic industry. br />
It is known that breastfeeding reduces the risk of asthma. While eating ready-made foods increases the risk of asthma; Mediterranean type diet and fruit consumption rich in vitamins C, E and D are associated with the development of asthma. It is a protective factor.
Diagnosis of asthma begins with suspecting asthma based on the patient's complaints. Patients usually present with complaints of shortness of breath, wheezing, feeling of tightness in the chest and cough, which come in attacks that vary from time to time. The patient's history of allergy in childhood and a family history of asthma support the diagnosis. Runny nose, sinusitis, reflux, and drug allergy coexist with asthma in most patients. During the examination, wheezing can be heard from outside in patients. Apart from this, cyanosis on the lips, tendency to sleep, increase in heart rate, and use of accessory respiratory muscles may also be detected.
Respiratory function tests are helpful in diagnosing the disease. Allergy skin tests can be performed on patients in terms of allergies. Apart from this, lung x-ray and blood tests can also be helpful.
Long-acting breath-opening inhaler drugs and long-acting systemic asthma medications are used as controller drugs in the treatment of asthma. As symptom relievers. Short-acting breath-opening medications are used. Education of the asthmatic patient on the characteristics of the disease, the treatment method to be used, staying away from factors that may make asthma control difficult, and making changes in their treatment is very effective in improving the course of the disease. It is important to teach patients the answers to the questions when to increase treatment, how to increase treatment, how long to continue, and when to consult a doctor.
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