Asthma, the Silent Killer

Asthma The Silent Killer: How many different ways it can Affect an Individuals life

Michael Poulos

Cornell University

Asthma: The Silent Killer

Abstract

As of 2009 the percentage of Americans who have been diagnosed with asthma has grown to 8%

of the population. That percentage has increased by 1% since the year 2001. Also in 2008 53% of the

people with asthma. Another alarming fact is that the rate among black children that have been

diagnosed with asthma between 2001- 2009 has risen to around 50%. Asthma has also cost this

country billions in dollars. The CDC has stated the following (2011) “ Asthma costs in the US grew

from about $53 billion in 2002 to about $56 billion in 2007 , about a 6% increase” (para.2). The

number of people that have died from asthma has also risen. Since the 1980 's the death rates caused

by asthma has increased by 50% and women account for roughly 65% of those deaths. Asthma also

the leading cause of school absences in children ages 5 to 17. According to the Asthma and Allergy

Foundation of America “It accounts for annual loss of more than 14 million school days per year (

approximately 8 days for each student with asthma)” (para. 5). When it comes to adults asthma is the

fourth leading cause of sick days from work. This has lead to fifteen million misses or unproductive

workdays each year.

Asthma is a medical condition that causes recurrent attacks of Dyspnea. A persons airways

become inflamed, wheezing also occurs due to constriction of the bronchi. This can lead to chest

tightness, coughing, wheezing, a difficulty in breathing and if the condition becomes serious it can lead

to death. During a severe asthma attack, the persons airways can close shut to the point that your

vital organs do not receive enough oxygen. Also certain systems of the human body can be severely

affected by asthma.

The first organ that is affected is the human heart. Since a person with asthma

must work extremely hard to get O2 into their lungs this adds more stress on the heart. When a

person is in having an asthma attack it also can lead to tachycardia. In other words a rapid heart rate

of 120 bpm or more may occur during an asthma attack. Another heart issue that may occur is pulsus

paradoxus, also known as a drop in systolic blood pressure during inspiration. Also researchers

at East Carolina University have found that people with asthma have a more difficult time recovering

form a heart attack. The researchers discovered that inflammation associated with asthma has a

direct affect on hearts capability to recover from an acute myocardial infarction. The next organ that is

affected from asthma is the human brain. When an asthma attack occurs confusion and extreme

drowsiness can occur. This is a result from a lack of O2 being supplied to the brain. Also in more

serious cases a person may lose consciousness due to the lack of O2 . Another affect from a lack of

oxygen to the brain that might occur is hypoxic ischemic brain injury. When hypoxic-ischemic occurs

it is a result from a lack of O2 and low blood supply. Other clinical synonyms for hypoxic-ischemic

are anoxic brain injury, anoxic encephalopathy, and anoxic brain damage. The kidney is the another

organ that is affected by asthma. When a person is having an asthma attack rhabdomyolysis might

occur. This is when a myoglobin, a protein pigment is released from a damaged muscle resulting in

release of harmful compounds. Kidney damage will increase by the heavy increase of fluids from the

bloodstream straight into the damaged kidney muscles. This will result in a reduction of blood flow

throughout the kidney. Rhabdomyolysis can also lead to renal failure, which is a decrease in the

glomerular filtration rate. Also disseminated intravascular coagulation can occur as well from

rhabdomyolysis. DIC is a very serious condition since in which small clots develop in the blood

vessels, and in this case will cut off the blood supply to the kidney. These may cause damage to the

kidney and may stop from functioning all together.

Atopic Asthma can be caused by numerous factors. The first cause are allergies. This includes

pollen, mold, pets, mice and cockroach droppings, and dust mites. Many people who have asthma can

be affected by the same symptoms that cause allergies, this can also trigger an asthma attack. When a

individual has an allergic reaction the antibodies mistakenly attack the harmless substance since it 's pr-

programmed to protect the body from dangerous pathogens. The immune system than releases chemicals

into the body that lead to nasal congestion and runny eyes. In some people when a reaction occurs

this may affect their breathing which leads into an asthma attack. Bronchiolitis can also be passed

through genetics. Research conducted in 1996 found that at most two genes. The first gene group is

located on chromosome five, that influences a mediate inflammatory immune response. This group

consists of IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-13 and GM-CSF. The gene IL-4 has been especially

identified as a cause for the clinical manifestation of asthma. The other gene that has been seen as a

potential for passing asthma is locates on chromosome 11. Even though asthma has a genetic

predisposition, a person requires external triggers to initial the symptoms of asthma.

The treatment for treating bronchiolitis can be broken down into three categories.. The first form

is long term medication plan. This type of drugs are taken on a regular basis so the individual who

is suffering from asthma can control the attacks. In this category they are inhaled corticosteroids.

They work by reducing bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The drugs that are usually prescribed to

patients are Budesonide, Fluticasone, Ciclesonide, and QVAR. There a very few side effects while

taking any of these drugs. There include a sore throat, and a mild throat infection. A patient can cut

down on these minor side effects by using a spacer device with a pressurized MDI and rinsing out

their mouth with water immediately after every dose. The second category of medication that can

be prescribed are rescue medications. There are taken by a patient who is need of a short-term

relief or to prevent a asthma attack from occurring. The medications that are given oral and intravenous

corticosteroids, usually given when a serious asthma attacks takes place. Some of the drugs in this

category include Predisone and Prednislone. This two drugs either come in a tablet or liquid form. They

also have serious side effects if used long term. They include fractures, can alter a persons emotional

state, weight gain, an increase in appetite, and bruising. Another drug that falls in this category is

Albuterol. This medication can come in either tablet or syrup form. The tablet form is taken every hours and must be taken with plenty of water. The side effects for this medication are the following;

muscle cramps, difficulty sleeping, nausea, headaches, excessive tremors.

Asthma is a very serious condition that inflicts a great number of people in this country. The cases

of asthma has risen over the years which has lead to billions of dollars spent on treating this disease.

They are also external and genetic factors that play a significant role in someone developing

bronchiolitis. It begins by the passing of gene chromosome and then the disease will eventually

become apparent from allergens. If left untreated asthma may cause damage to the heart, the brain,

and also the kidneys. Also a person who 's heart has been affected by asthma has a more difficult

time recovering from a heart attack. When asthma affects the brain it can cause hypoxic-ischemic.

The kidneys once affected by asthma may cause severe damage to the kidneys. This can lead to

rhabdomyolysis and renal failure as well. Finally bronchiolitis can be treated by many different

medications. From long term medications that include QVAR to short-term medications which include

Pre-disone. The long term drugs have very little side effects while the short-term drugs if taken over

a long period of time can cause some very serious side effects.

References

Arciniegas, D. (2010) Hypoxic-Ischemic. Retrieved June 9, 2012, from the International Brain Injury Association website:http://www.internationalbrain.org/?q=node/131

Asthma Overview. Retrieved June 9, 2012, from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America website: http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&cont=6

Asthma and Genetics. Retrieved June 9, 2012, from the ACC.BrooklynCuny.edu website:http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~scintech/asthma/Genetics2.htm

Treatment Controllers. Retrieved. June 9, 2012, from the Asthma Society of Canada website: http://www.asthma.ca/adults/treatment/bronchodilators.php

Citing Website. Asthma in the US. Retrieved. June 9, 2012, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:http://www.cdc.gov/VitalSigns/Asthma/#Introduction

Boyd, D. (2005) Heart, Asthma Link Found. Retrieved June 9, 2012, from the East Carolina University website: http://www.ecu.edu/news/poearchives.cfm.

Eyal, M. (2012) Rhabdomyolysis. Retrieved June 9, 2012, from the Medscape References website:http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1007814-overview

Robin, S. (2010) WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF ASTHMA ON OTHER BODY SYSTEMS. Retrieved June 9, 2012, from the LIVESTRONG.COM website:http://www.livestrong.com/article/262381-what-are-the-effects-of-asthma-on-other-body-systems/

References: website:http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1007814-overview Robin, S. (2010) WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF ASTHMA ON OTHER BODY SYSTEMS. Retrieved June 9, 2012, from the LIVESTRONG.COM website:http://www.livestrong.com/article/262381-what-are-the-effects-of-asthma-on-other-body-systems/