1. Asthma

2. What is Asthma?  According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, asthma is a chronic disease involving the airways in the lungs, aka bronchial tubes, that allow air in and out of the lungs.  Asthma causes those airways to always be inflamed and become even more swollen when something triggers your symptoms.

3. Non-Allergic Triggers include:  Smoke  Cold air  Exercise Allergenic Triggers include:  Pet dander  Pollen  Mold What Triggers an Asthma Attack?

4.  Most common is wheezing.  Shortness of breath.  Chest tightness or pain.  Chronic coughing. Symptoms of Asthma, AKA, Asthma Attack

5. Two types of treatment: long term and quick relief. Long Term: Preventative take every day.  Inhaled corticosteroids.  Inhaled long-acting beta agonist.  Omalizumab (shots taken every 2-4 weeks). Quick Relief: Relieve asthma attacks.  Short-acting beta agonist.  Anticholinergics. Prevent an Asthma Attack

6. Exercise Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)  Exercise Induced Asthma  When we exercise, we breathe faster and deeper due to the increased oxygen demands.  Usually exercise causes us to inhale dryer, cooler air through our mouths which can trigger asthmatic symptoms.  Symptoms are similar to being out of shape, so it is important to speak with a physician if symptoms worsen.

7.  Cover mouth and nose when exercising in cold, dry environment.  Perform a proper warm up of 5-10 minutes.  Take medicine before exercising. Prevention of EIB

8. Asthma Facts  There is no cure for asthma.  It is hereditary.  Currently 26 million Americans have asthma.  Estimated economic cost is $20.7 billion annually.  Asthma mortality is almost 4,000 deaths per year.

9.  http://www.aaaai.org/ http://www.aaaai.org/  http://www.aafa.org/ http://www.aafa.org/  http://acaai.org/ http://acaai.org/ Sources