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What Is Cancer
What is Asthma?Asthma is a long-term lung disease that:Inflames and narrows the airways. Causes recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe). Causes chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing (often occurring at night or early in the morning). Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts in childhood. More than 32 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with asthma at some time; 7 million of these people are children. (4, 11, 13)In an asthma episode: (2)The lining of the airways swells and becomes more inflamed. Mucus clogs the airways. Muscles tighten around the airways. These changes narrow the airways until breathing becomes difficult and stressful, like trying to breathe through a straw stuffed with cotton. (3)
Cancer and AI-AN
Asthma and American Indian/Alaska Natives
Facts about AI/AN and Asthma: (4, 5, 6, 8)In 2008, AI/AN children were 40% more likely to have asthma than whites, and 25% more likely for those over the age of 18. (1) More than 1 in 5 AI/AN children and 1 in 5 AI/AN adults will be diagnosed with asthma in their lifetime.AI/AN populations living in the Southwest region had the highest asthma hospitalization rate among the Indian Health Service regions. (12)In Alaska Native children: (7, 9)40% reported chronic respiratory disease.7.4 % reported physician-diagnosed asthma.11.4% reported asthma-like symptoms without an asthma diagnosis. 21.5% reported a chronic cough without an asthma diagnosis.
Lung Cancer
Causes of AsthmaAsthma symptoms can be triggered by several factors, including: (2, 3)Allergens: (any substance that triggers allergies)Allergic rhinitis, or "hay fever," is a risk factor for asthma. Symptoms of both allergic rhinitis and asthma can be triggered by allergens. These include: -Pollens -Molds -House dust mite -Foods -Cockroach droppings -Animal dander Irritants: Irritants are things that can affect asthma -Tobacco -Smoke Perfumes -Strong Odors -Air Pollutions -Viral or sinus infections Exercise: Strenuous physical exercise can also trigger attacks. Mouth breathing, exercising in cold, dry air, or prolonged, strenuous activities such as medium- to long-distance running can increase the likelihood of exercise-induced asthma (EIA). Weather changes: Extremely hot or cold temperatures, changes in barometric pressure or humidity, air quality and wind can trigger reactions and make asthma conditions worse. Reflux disease: (Stomach acid flowing back up the esophagus, or food pipe)Medications: Some adults with asthma may experience an asthma attack as a result of taking certain medications. These can include aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen; and beta-blockers (used to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, or glaucoma). Before taking any over-the-counter medications, those with asthma should consult their physicians. Foods Foods can activate and irritate symptoms of asthma. Allergic reactions to foods can make asthma symptoms more intense. Emotional anxietyAnxiety and nervous stress can cause fatigue, which may also increase asthma symptoms and aggravate an attack. As with any other chronic health condition, proper rest, nutrition, and exercise are important to overall well-being and can help in managing asthma.
Signs of Lung Cancer
Risk Factors
Risk FactorsThere are many factors that can increase a person's risk of asthma including:Family history of asthmaEnvironmental risks: allergens and exposure to second hand smokeRespiratory infectionsBorn with a low birth weight Having a mother who smoked or was exposed to tobacco smoke during pregnancy. Allergic skin condition: eczemaObesityStress
Treatment-Survival-Support
Asthma PreventionCurrently there is no cure for asthma. However, you can prevent asthma attacks by following your physicians prescribed medication orders and avoiding asthma triggers. Some common triggers are as follows: (3) •Second hand smoke •Mold •Dust mites •Perfume •Outdoor air pollution •Pets Asthma attacks can be treated and prevented with either long-term control or quick relief medications.Long-term control - prevents asthma symptoms and is taken every day.Quick-relief - increase airways to make it easier to breathe when symptoms of asthma occur. Tips for controlling asthma: (14) •Avoid triggers •Take controllers everyday •Be prepared, keep asthma medication with you •Know the signs of an asthma attack and act fast, use quick-relief medication
References
1. U.S. Health & Human Services NIoH. Native American Health. 2009; http://health.nih.gov/topic/NativeAmericanHealth.2. CDC 2009. Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: 2008. Table 43. CDC 2006. The State of Childhood Asthma, United States, 1980–2005. Table B4. Association TAL. Racial and Ethnic Differences. 2009; http://www.lungusa.org/site/c.dvLUK9O0E/b.313456/k.6348/RacialEthnic_Differences.htm 5. Survey CNHI. California National Health Interview Survey. 2003; http://www.chis.ucla.edu/main/.6. Lewis TC, Stout JW, Martinez P, et al. Prevalence of asthma and chronic respiratory symptoms among Alaska Native children. Chest. May 2004;125(5):1665-1673.7. Brim SN, Rudd RA, Funk RH, Callahan DB. Asthma prevalence among US children in underrepresented minority populations: American Indian/Alaska Native, Chinese, Filipino, and Asian Indian. Pediatrics. Jul 2008;122(1):e217-222.8. Dixon AE, Yeh F, Welty TK, et al. Asthma in American Indian adults: the Strong Heart Study. Chest. May 2007;131(5):1323-1330.9. Hisnanick JJ, Coddington DA, Gergen PJ. Trends in asthma-related admissions among American Indian and Alaskan native children from 1979 to 1989. Universal health care in the face of poverty. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. Apr 1994;148(4):357-363.10. Liu LL, Stout JW, Sullivan M, Solet D, Shay DK, Grossman DC. Asthma and bronchiolitis hospitalizations among American Indian children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. Oct 2000;154(10):991-996.11. Asthma: Controller and Quick Relief Medicine. 2008; http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/asthma/medications/665.html. Accessed June 17, 201012. Singleton RJ, Holman RC, Cobb N, Curns AT, Paisano EL. Asthma hospitalizations among American Indian and Alaska Native people and for the general US population. Chest. Nov 2006;130(5):1554-1562.13. American Academy of Allergy AaI. Tips to Remember: Asthma triggers and management. 2007; http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/asthmatriggersandmgmt.stm 14. American Academy of Allergy AaI. Introduction to Asthma. 2009; http://www.aaaai.org/professionals/SchoolTools_Asthma.pdf.
What Is Cancer
Cancer and AI-AN
Lung Cancer
Signs of Lung Cancer
Risk Factors
Treatment-Survival-Support
References
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