What Do You Know About Asthma?

By Martina Chukwuma-Ezike

Asthma affects 300 million people in the world, more than 25 million people in the United States have asthma and about 5.4 million people in the United Kingdom are currently being treated for asthma. Despite the prevalence of asthma, there is very little knowledge about the disease.

What do you know about asthma is a practical guide that will help you understand asthma, what you can do as a sufferer or what support you as parent, family, friend or carer can give to someone living with asthma to enable them learn how to manage their symptoms so they could live healthy, active and symptom-free lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Jun 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483657769

Martina Chukwuma-Ezike

Martina Chukwuma-Ezike is an MBA graduate of the University of Aberdeen and Chief Executive of Asthma and Allergy Foundation. Having lived with very severe asthma since childhood, Martina understands the many challenges asthmatics face and has devoted her life to support asthma sufferers. She resides in Aberdeen, Scotland with her husband, Uchenna who work in the oil & gas sector, and their adorable daughter. For each book purchased a contribution of 30% of the purchase price will be donated to the charity “Asthma and Allergy Foundation”.

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by Martina Chukwuma-Ezike.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 06/24/2013

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

800-056-3182

www.Xlibrispublishing.co.uk

[e-mail]

306457

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1 What is Asthma?

i. What causes asthma?

ii. What are the symptoms of asthma?

iii. Asthma triggers

iv. Conditions linked to asthma

Chapter 2 Diagnosing Asthma

i. Medical and family histories

ii. Physical examination

iii. Lung function test

iv. Other tests

Chapter 3 Categories of Asthma

i. Mild asthma

ii. Mild persistent asthma

iii. Moderate asthma

iv. Severe asthma

Chapter 4 Treatments

i. Inhalers

ii. Spacers

iii. Corticosteroids

iv. Other medicines

v. Emergency care

Chapter 5 Asthma Control

i. Peak flow meter

ii. Signs that your asthma is not well-controlled

iii. Good asthma control

iv. Factors limiting good asthma control

Chapter 6 Living with Asthma

i. Self care

ii. Take your medication

iii. Regular reviews

iv. Avoid triggers

v. Stop smoking

vi. Asthma action plan

vii. Peak flow meters and maintaining diaries

viii. Inhaler technique

ix. Exercise

Chapter 7 Asthma Concerns

i. Asthma and pregnancy-breathing for two

ii. Occupational asthma

iii. Travelling with asthma

Chapter 8 Asthma Attack

i. Signs and symptoms

ii. Asthma first aid

Chapter 9 Asthma Myths

i. Asthma is often imagined

ii. Asthma can be cured

iii. Asthma symptoms are the same for everyone with asthma

iv. One only has asthma when he or she has difficulty in breathing

v. One only needs to take his or her medication when he or she has difficulty in breathing

vi. People with asthma should avoid sports and physical activities

vii. Children do outgrow their asthma

viii. Taking steroids will stunt a child’s growth

ix. One should stop taking his or her controller medication once he or she feels better

x. Steroids will harm unborn children

xi. Asthma medicine is addictive

xii. Children with asthma should not participate in exercise and sports

xiii. Asthma is contagious

References and Further Reading

The information contained in this book is only a guide; the reader is advised to consult their health-care provider for adequate medical care.

Products mentioned in this book are trademarks of Glaxo Wellcome group of companies, Ventolin, Easi Breathe, and Volumatic.

While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate to the best of the author’s knowledge, neither the author nor the publisher