About Asthma

• What is Asthma?
• What Causes Asthma?
• What are Warning Signs and Symptoms of Asthma
• What Triggers Asthma Attacks?
• Where to Find Help

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease involving inflammation (irritation) of the airways that makes breathing difficult. Asthma causes two things to happen:

1. The muscles on the outside of the airways tighten; and
2. Mucus builds up on the inside of the airways, causing the lining of the airways to become inflamed and swollen.

While asthma cannot be cured, it can be controlled. This brochure will give you life-saving information about how to identify asthma warning signs and symptoms, what triggers asthma attacks, how to control asthma, and where to go for help in Alameda County.

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What Causes Asthma?

Many different factors can trigger an asthma attack. In young children, vital infections such as a typical head cold, are the most common cause. Weather changes, allergies, and a variety of irritants such as a cigarette smoke or air pollution can all contribute. It is rare for a food allergy to cause asthma.

Asthma frequently runs in families. Some children who have asthma also suffer from eczema and hay fever.

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What are Warning Signs and Symptoms of Asthma

Children and Adults Look For:

Coughing – a cough that doesn’t clear mucus from the throat and lasts more than four weeks

Coughing at night – a funny little cough that sounds as if you’re clearing your throat

Wheezing – a high-pitched, whistle sound when breathing out

Shortness of breath – feeling as if you can’t breathe in as much air as you need; panting after exercise

Excess mucus – airways are clogged by large amounts of thick mucus, which restrict breathing

Chest tightness – chest feels as if it has been wrapped tightly; hard to catch a full breath

Fatigue – feeling weary, tired, or lack of energy

Breathy speech – cannot speak loudly or in full sentences

Difficulty exercising – unable to exercise at the same rate and level as others in your age group

In Infants and Small Children Look For:

Rapid, noisy breathing

Wheezing during a cold or flu

Coughing after running or crying, especially at night

Sucked-in looking chest (between ribs and at front of the neck; tightly pulled skin around the breast bone area)

Frequent attacks of pneumonia (lung infection) and bronchitis

Shortness of breath

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What Triggers Asthma Attacks?

Different things can trigger asthma attacks in different people. Many
“allergens” (objects that trigger allergic reactions) and “irritants” may not
cause an attack right away, but as they build up in the system one of them
can trigger an attack. Common triggers are:

Allergens

Pollens – most often in springtime; especially between 5:00 am and 10:00 am

Outdoor Molds – most plentiful in autumn

Indoor Molds – most common in bathrooms, basements, houseplants, and other damp areas of the house

Dust Mites – found in bed linens, rugs, drapes, and furniture covered in cloth; thrive in humid environments

Furry and feathered animal dander, urine, and saliva

Cockroach, mouse, and rat dander and droppings

Strong odors and chemicals in cleaning products

Food allergies

Irritants

Colds and flu

Cold weather or sudden weather changes

Perfumes (i.e. soaps, cleaning products, laundry soap, make-up, and hair products, etc.)

Air fresheners and products that are sprayed or plugged in

Any spray product in a metal can

Air pollution

Any smoke (i.e. tobacco, fireplace, incense, marijuana, etc.)

Fumes from gas, wood and kerosene stoves; heaters; and fireplaces

Wet paint, glues, and solvents

Certain spices

Other

Physical and mental stress

Exercise

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Where to Find Help

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Resources:
Asthma Resource Management Center
(510) 204-1586

Health Match
(510) 869-6777


Other Resources:
Alameda County Public Health Department Asthma Start Program
(510) 383-5181

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
(800) 822-2762

American Lung Association
(800) 586-4872

Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland - Bay Area Pediatric Pulmonary
(510) 428-3305

Regional Asthma Management & Prevention Institute
(510) 302-3365

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