J.Surya Jikei Medical and Nursing University Asthma J.Surya Jikei Medical and Nursing University

Introduction Approximately 500,000 annual hospitalizations are due to asthma. The cost of illness related to asthma is around $6.2 billion. Each year, an estimated 1.81 million people require treatment in the emergency department.

What is Asthma? An inflammatory disorder of the airways, wheezing, shortness of breath chest tightness coughing.

The cause of Asthma Inhaled allergens Respiratory infection Exercise Cold air Tobacco smoke Drug allergies

The symptoms of Asthma Mucus(粘液) production is increased, muscles of the bronchial（気管支の） tube become tight, and the lining of the air passages swells, reducing airflow and producing the characteristic wheezing sound （ゼイゼイ音）

Emergency symptoms Extreme difficulty breathing Rapid pulse sweating

The Treatments of Asthma At this point in time there is no cure for asthma. The aim of asthma management is to reduce asthma symptoms, so that the person can lead a full and active life. The most common way of taking treatment is with an inhaler(吸入器)　or nebulizers(噴霧器) The two main types of medicine used in inhalers are relievers and preventers.

RELIEVERS（速救助用） : provides relief of asthma symptoms within minutes, reliever medication relaxes the tight muscles around the airways. PREVENTERS（予防用） : reduces swelling and inflammation in the airways, preventer medication may take up to three weeks to work. There are both steroid and non-steroidal Preventer medications available.

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