Critical Care Respiratory Therapist Dona Rivera assists a patient during a pulmonary treatment.

Breathing, for most of us, is as natural and effortless as blinking our eyes or swallowing.

But for reasons that aren't well understood, more and more Americans are developing asthma -- a chronic, sometimes life-threatening lung disease that makes breathing difficult.

"The lungs get more exposure to the atmosphere than any organ in the body," says Nawaz Qureshi, MD, Medical Director and a pulmonary specialist at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. "People develop asthma when their lungs become hypersensitive to inhalants in the environment."

Symptoms
Usually Intermittent
Most people with asthma have symptom-free periods punctuated by episodes of asthma or asthma attacks.

Asthma attacks usually are triggered by something that bothers the lungs and causes the airways to constrict and become inflamed. During these attacks, people may cough, wheeze, become short of breath and feel tightness in the chest.

There is no cure for asthma, but the good news is that most people with mild to moderate asthma can learn to control the disease.

What You Can Do
If you have asthma, Dr. Qureshi says it is important to work with your doctor to prevent and minimize your symptoms. Your doctor may:

• Help you identify the triggers that cause your asthma attacks. Common triggers include pets, molds, dust mites, secondhand smoke, viral infections and exercise.
• Recommend strategies to control your environment.
• Recommend that you use a peak flow meter to monitor your airflow.
• Prescribe appropriate asthma medications.
• Develop an asthma management plan so you know what actions to take and when to take them.

To make an appointment with Dr. Qureshi, call Direct Doctors Plus at 388-4888.

Asthma Treatments
Medication makes it possible for many people with asthma to live full, active lives. The three main types of medicines prescribed for asthma are:

• Bronchodilators: These medications relax the muscles in the air tubes and offer quick relief when an asthma attack strikes. They also may help prevent some attacks when exposure to triggers, such as exercise, can't be avoided.
• Anti-inflammatories: These medications help prevent asthma attacks by controlling inflammation, reducing mucus and keeping the airways open.
• Oral medications: Newer medications can help prevent and minimize the symptoms of asthma attacks.

Did You Know?

• The number of people with asthma increased more than 60 percent since 1980. Pediatric asthma increased a dramatic 72 percent during that same period.
• About 17 million Americans of all ages have asthma.
• Nevada has the highest rate of asthma in the nation.
• Asthma is more common in children than adults. Some children outgrow their asthma.
• Asthma affects about one in 13 school-age children across the country.
• About 25,000 children in Nevada have asthma.
• Asthma is the number one cause of hospitalization among children under the age of 15.
• Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism related to a chronic disease.

Courtesy of the American Lung Association of Nevada

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106