Information Media Zone

Sinusitis and Asthma

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:58:00 +0000

Over the years, doctors have noted an association between asthma and sinusitis. In fact, 15% of patients with sinusitis also have asthma (as opposed to 5% of the normal population). An astounding 75% of severely asthmatic patients also have sinusitis. Additionally, asthmatic patients often report that their symptoms worsen when they develop sinusitis. Conversely, when the sinusitis is treated, the asthma improves.

Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:55:00 +0000

There is a clear association between allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma. The question of which comes first -- the allergic rhinitis or the asthma -- is not easily answered. Allergic rhinitis is considered a risk factor in developing asthma -- up to 78% of those with asthma also have allergic rhinitis.

Many people with asthma recall developing their asthma and nasal symptoms (sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, and itchiness in the nose) at or about the same time. Others developed their asthma either before or after the onset of their allergic rhinitis. We now know that almost all people with allergic asthma also have allergic rhinitis. Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma.

Additionally, roughly one third of persons with allergic rhinitis will develop asthma. People with both conditions can expect to suffer more severe asthma attacks and require stronger medications to prevent their asthma symptoms. People with allergic rhinitis should be vigilant about reporting any persistent coughing or wheezing to their doctors. Sometimes allergy tests are done to isolate allergy and asthma triggers and allergy shots (immunotherapy) are given to reduce asthma symptoms. In addition, the presence of asthma can easily be determined with lung function tests.

The possible reasons why allergic rhinitis and asthma are related are that:

The nasal and bronchial membranes are made up of almost the same type of tissue.
The nerves of the upper airway (nasal cavity) and the lower airway (bronchial tubes) are connected. Both the upper and lower airways are exposed to the same external environment during breathing. When allergens reach the nasal cavity there is stimulation of nerve endings in the nasal cavity. This stimulation causes reflex neural signals to be sent to the tissues of both the nasal cavity and the lower airways. In the nasal cavity, these signals cause accumulation of fluid and the formation of mucus, while in the bronchial tubes they cause bronchial constriction and possibly acute asthma. This is sometimes referred to as the naso-bronchial reflex.
Nasal congestion causes mouth breathing. During mouth breathing, air bypasses the nose. The air is not filtered for allergens and irritating particles, and it is not warmed or humidified. This non-conditioned air is more likely to cause bronchial hyper-reactivity and result in asthma symptoms.
Mucus from the nasal cavity may drip from the back of the nose into the throat, especially during sleep. This dripping mucus triggers bronchial inflammation and causes episodes of asthma at night.

Health Conditions That May Worsen Asthma

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:55:00 +0000

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is a common condition caused by the regurgitation (reflux) or backwash of stomach acid into the esophagus from the stomach. At times, the acid even may regurgitate into the back of the throat and reach the lungs. GERD usually -- but not always -- is associated with a burning discomfort under the breastbone, called heartburn, which occurs mostly after meals or when lying down. In some people the symptom of acid reflux is not heartburn. Instead, they experience coughing, wheezing, hoarseness, or sore throat.

The presence of acid in the esophagus or the passage of acid into the lungs (aspiration) may cause the bronchial tubes to constrict (bronchospasm), causing wheezing and coughing that may not respond to medications for asthma. Bronchospasm related to acid reflux tends to occur more frequently at night as a result of lying down. Interestingly, GERD is common among patients with asthma. Some doctors believe that asthma itself or asthma treatments in some way make people with asthma more susceptible to acid reflux. For example, theophylline, an oral asthma medication (bronchodilator) that's occasionally used to treat asthma, may promote acid reflux by relaxing the specialized muscles in the esophagus that normally tighten to prevent regurgitation of acid.

In people with nighttime asthma or difficult to control asthma, treating acid reflux may help relieve coughing and wheezing. Treatment of GERD involves elevating the head of the bed, losing weight, avoiding spicy food, caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes. Proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec, Protonix, Aciphex, Prevacid, and Nexium are potent inhibitors of production of acid in the stomach and are effective treatments for asthma aggravated or caused by acid reflux. Rarely, surgery is performed to prevent acid reflux for people with severe GERD that does not respond to medications.

Exercise-Induced Asthma

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:52:00 +0000

Exercise is a common trigger for asthma and may cause symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing in 80% to 90% of people with asthma. The asthma symptoms usually start about 10 minutes into the exercise or 5 to 10 minutes after completing the activity, although some people experience symptoms about four to eight hours after exercise. Exercise-induced asthma may affect all ages, but it's most common in kids with childhood asthma and young adults. All athletes, from weekend warriors to professionals and Olympians, can be affected by exercise-induced asthma.

For most asthma patients, exercise-induced asthma is treatable and preventable, allowing children and adults with asthma to fully participate in sports and exercise. Regular exercise is beneficial for the heart, circulatory system, muscles (including breathing muscles), and mental health. However, regular exercise is not a cure for asthma.

Exercise-induced asthma is diagnosed by a pattern of asthmatic symptoms prompted by exercise. When the diagnosis is unclear, it can be confirmed in a doctor's office by performing breathing tests at rest and after exercise.

Asthma and Other Allergic Reactions

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:51:00 +0000

Inhaled mold spores and particles from bird droppings and feathers (such as from parrots) can cause allergic reactions in the airways and lungs. For example, when the fungus Aspergillus causes an allergic reaction in the airways, the condition is called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Affected individuals usually have asthma. Treatment involves opening the airways with bronchodilators and decreasing inflammation with steroids over a prolonged period of time. When the lung tissues develop an allergic reaction to inhaled bacteria, fungi, or bird particles, the condition is called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This condition is differentiated from acute asthma by the lack of wheezing, the presence of a fever, and the pattern of pneumonia on the chest X-ray. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is treated by avoiding the allergens and taking steroids.

Cardiac Asthma

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 12:50:00 +0000

Cardiac asthma usually occurs in elderly people who have wheezing and shortness of breath because of heart failure. When the heart is too weak to pump blood effectively, fluid will accumulate in the lungs and cause shortness of breath and wheezing. A chest X-ray can help diagnose heart failure by showing an enlarged heart (usually a sign of heart failure) along with fluid in the tissues of the lung. Treatment of heart failure involves using diuretics (water pills) to rid the lungs of excess fluid and medications to help the heart muscle pump more effectively. When heart failure is controlled, the wheezing will stop. Some people may suffer from asthma and heart failure simultaneously. These patients require treatment for both health conditions to improve their quality of life.

Nighttime (Nocturnal) Asthma

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 12:47:00 +0000

Nighttime (nocturnal) asthma is a very common type of asthma, with more than 90% of asthma patients experiencing nighttime wheezing and coughing. Symptoms of asthma are most common between midnight and 8 a.m. and can cause insomnia and sleep deprivation among people with asthma. In fact, sleep disturbances in people with asthma usually mean that their asthma is inadequately controlled and warrants a visit to the doctor to re-evaluate the prescribed asthma medications.

Lung function in a person with asthma can decline by up to 50% during an episode of nocturnal asthma. The reasons are not clear, but possible explanations include:

Exposure to allergens at night such as dust mites or animal dander.
Changes in the levels of hormones such as cortisol, histamine, and epinephrine at night, resulting in increased reactivity of the airways.
Longer periods of exposure to asthma triggers within the bedroom.
Reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus (GERD) related to laying down (heartburn and asthma)
A late reaction to daytime asthma triggers.
Cooling of the airways that cause spasm of the major airways.
Sinusitis and postnasal drip.
Sleep apnea.

It is possible to test for nocturnal asthma by taking measurements of airflow out of the lungs while exhaling (peak flow) in the evening and again upon awakening in the morning. This is done with an asthma test called a peak flow meter -- a small, portable meter that measures the flow of air. (An asthma specialist can demonstrate the correct technique for making these measurements.) A greater than 20% decrease in the peak flow measurement from the evening to the morning suggests nocturnal asthma.

Can Cough Be the Only Symptom of Asthma?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Chronic cough or a cough that lasts longer than three weeks may be caused by the following:

asthma
postnasal drip
pneumonia
bronchitis
cigarette smoking
acid reflux
heart disease
medications such as ACE inhibitors used for treating high blood pressure
lung cancer

A chronic cough may be an unusual symptom of asthma. The cough may first appear after a cold or an upper respiratory tract infection. The cough may also start as a "tickle" in the throat. In some people with asthma, laughing or exercise triggers coughing. Other people cough at night while others cough at any time of day without a trigger.

Coughing due to asthma usually does not respond to cough suppressants, antibiotics, or cough drops but will respond to asthma medications. If you have a cough that does not get better on its own within 3 to 6 weeks, see your health care provider.

Unusual Asthma Symptoms

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:43:00 +0000

While most people consider "wheezing" the key sign of asthma, there are also other, more unusual asthma symptoms. For instance, a dry, hacking cough that persists may actually be a symptom of asthma. Chest tightness and difficulty breathing in the early morning hours can also be asthma symptoms. Likewise, constant sighing may be associated with asthma.

Unusual asthma symptoms may include:

rapid breathing
sighing
fatigue; inability to exercise properly
difficulty sleeping
anxiety; difficulty concentrating
chronic cough without wheezing (cough-variant asthma)

To complicate matters, asthma symptoms are not consistent and often vary from time to time in an individual. As an example, you might experience asthma primarily at night -- known as nocturnal asthma -- rather than during the day. Furthermore, episodes of asthma can be triggered by many different factors such as allergens, dust, smoke, cold air, exercise, infections, medications, and acid reflux. Finally, other health conditions such as heart failure, bronchitis, and dysfunction of the vocal cords can cause symptoms that mimic those of asthma, yet these conditions are not asthma. For these reasons, accurately diagnosing and effectively treating asthma can be a challenge for you and your asthma health care provider.

What Do I Do if I Have an Asthma Attack?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:36:00 +0000

Without immediate asthma treatment, asthma attack symptoms can worsen and become severe. If you experience asthma attack symptoms and your symptoms do not improve with treatment, contact your doctor. If you have an asthma action plan, follow the "Red Zone" or emergency instructions immediately. You need medical attention right away.

Preventing an Asthma Attack

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:36:00 +0000

The best way to prevent asthma attack symptoms is to manage your asthma daily. By following your asthma action plan and using your peak flow meter to measure breathing changes, you can treat your asthma with the proper medications before symptoms become noticeable. In doing so, you can prevent an asthma emergency and continue to live an active life.

Understanding Asthma Attack Symptoms

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:34:00 +0000

An asthma attack is a sudden worsening of asthma symptoms caused by the tightening of muscles of your airways (bronchospasm). During the attack, the lining of the airways becomes swollen or inflamed and more and thicker mucus than normal is produced. All of these factors -- bronchospasm, inflammation, and mucus production -- cause asthma attack symptoms. Asthma attack symptoms include:

Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or very rapid breathing
Severe wheezing when breathing both in and out
Coughing that won't stop
Chest pain or pressure
Tightened neck and chest muscles, called retractions
Difficulty talking and performing normal daily activities
Feelings of anxiety or panic
Pale, sweaty face
Blue lips or fingernails
Worsening symptoms despite use of your medications

If you have asthma, you may go for weeks to months without having any asthma attack symptoms. Then suddenly, when you least expect it, you might have asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. Sometimes allergies to seasonal pollen or weather changes can trigger asthma attack symptoms. Other times, a viral infection such as cold or flu can trigger asthma attack symptoms. Even exercise or sudden stress can cause asthma attack symptoms.

Symptoms of an Asthma Attack

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 12:32:00 +0000

Can you recognize the symptoms of an asthma attack? Being acutely aware of asthma attack symptoms is crucial to preventing an asthma emergency.

Some asthma attack symptoms such as wheezing are easy to identify. Yet other asthma attack symptoms such as feelings of anxiety or panic are not as well known. Some people may have an itchy chin before they start to feel short of breath and cough. Still others may only have symptoms at nighttime (called nocturnal asthma). As soon as you notice your asthma attack symptoms, seek quick treatment with your asthma medication to prevent an asthma emergency.

Know Why Infections Trigger Asthma Symptoms

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 12:31:00 +0000

Sometimes a virus or bacterial infection is an asthma trigger. For instance, you might have a cold virus that triggers your asthma symptoms. Or your asthma can be triggered by a bacterial sinus infection. Sinusitis with asthma is common.

It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of respiratory tract infections and to call your health care provider immediately for diagnosis and treatment. For instance, you might have symptoms of increased shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or wheezing with a bronchial infection. In people who don’t have asthma, the bronchial infection may not trigger the same debilitating symptoms. Know your body and understand warning signs that an infection might be starting. Then take the proper medications as prescribed to rid the infection and regain control of your asthma and health.

Know About Unusual Asthma Symptoms

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Not everyone with asthma has the usual symptoms of cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Sometimes individuals have unusual asthma symptoms that may not appear to be related to asthma. Some "unusual" asthma symptoms may include the following:

rapid breathing
sighing
fatigue
inability to exercise properly (called exercise-induced asthma)
difficulty sleeping or nighttime asthma
anxiety
difficulty concentrating
chronic cough without wheezing

Also, asthma symptoms can be mimicked by other conditions such as bronchitis, vocal cord dysfunction, and even heart failure.

It's important to understand your body. Talk with your asthma doctor and others with asthma. Be aware that asthma may not always have the same symptoms in every person.

Know the Asthma Symptoms in Children

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:27:00 +0000

Asthma affects as many as 10% to 12% of children in the United States and is the leading cause of chronic illness in children. For unknown reasons, the incidence of asthma in children is steadily increasing. While asthma symptoms can begin at any age, most children have their first asthma symptoms by age 5.

Not all children with asthma wheeze. Chronic coughing with asthma may be the only obvious sign, and a child’s asthma may go unrecognized if the cough is attributed to recurrent bronchitis.

Know the Symptoms of an Asthma Attack

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:25:00 +0000

An asthma attack is the episode in which bands of muscle surrounding the airways are triggered to tighten. This tightening is called bronchospasm. During the attack, the lining of the airways becomes swollen or inflamed and the cells lining the airways produce more and thicker mucus than normal.

All of these factors -- bronchospasm, inflammation, and mucus production -- cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty performing normal daily activities. Other symptoms of an asthma attack include:

Severe wheezing when breathing both in and out
Coughing that won't stop
Very rapid breathing
Chest pain or pressure
Tightened neck and chest muscles, called retractions
Difficulty talking
Feelings of anxiety or panic
Pale, sweaty face
Blue lips or fingernails

The severity of an asthma attack can escalate rapidly, so it's important to treat these asthma symptoms immediately once you recognize them.

Without immediate treatment, such as with your asthma inhaler or bronchodilator, your breathing will become more labored. If you use a peak flow meter at this time, the reading will probably be less than 50%.

As your lungs continue to tighten, you will be unable to use the peak flow meter at all. Gradually, your lungs will tighten so there is not enough air movement to produce wheezing. This is sometimes called the "silent chest," and it is an ominous sign. You need to be transported to a hospital immediately. Unfortunately, some people interpret the disappearance of wheezing as a sign of improvement and fail to get prompt emergency care.

If you do not receive adequate asthma treatment, you will eventually be unable to speak and will develop a bluish coloring around your lips. This color change, known as cyanosis, means you have less and less oxygen in your blood. Without aggressive treatment for this asthma emergency, you will lose consciousness and eventually die.

If you are experiencing an asthma attack, follow the "Red Zone" or emergency instructions in your asthma action plan immediately. These symptoms occur in life-threatening asthma attacks. You need medical attention right away.

Know the Early Symptoms of Asthma

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:23:00 +0000

Early warning signs are changes that happen just before or at the very beginning of an asthma attack. These signs may start before the well-known symptoms of asthma and are the earliest signs that your asthma is worsening.

In general, these signs are not severe enough to stop you from going about your daily activities. But by recognizing these signs, you can stop an asthma attack or prevent one from getting worse. Early warning signs of asthma include:

Frequent cough, especially at night
Losing your breath easily or shortness of breath
Feeling very tired or weak when exercising
Wheezing or coughing after exercise
Feeling tired, easily upset, grouchy, or moody
Decreases or changes in lung function as measured on a peak flow meter
Signs of a cold or allergies (sneezing, runny nose, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, and headache)
Trouble sleeping

If you have early warning signs or symptoms of asthma, you should take more asthma medication as described in your asthma action plan.

Asthma Symptoms

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:23:00 +0000

Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes with increased production of sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma experience symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus. Common asthma symptoms include:

Coughing, especially at night
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

Still, not every person with asthma has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your asthma symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one and severe during another.

Some people with asthma may go for extended periods without having any symptoms, interrupted by periodic worsening of their symptoms called asthma attacks. Others might have asthma symptoms every day. In addition, some people may only have asthma during exercise or asthma with viral infections like colds.

Mild asthma attacks are generally more common. Usually, the airways open up within a few minutes to a few hours. Severe attacks are less common but last longer and require immediate medical help. It is important to recognize and treat even mild asthma symptoms to help you prevent severe episodes and keep asthma under better control.

Asthma Attack

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 12:20:00 +0000

An asthma attack is a sudden worsening of symptoms. With an asthma attack, your airways tighten, swell up, or fill with mucus. Common symptoms include:

Coughing, especially at night
Wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing out)
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

Not every person with asthma has the same symptoms of an asthma attack. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one attack and severe during another.

Asthma Causes and Triggers

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 12:18:00 +0000

People with asthma have very sensitive airways that react to many different things in the environment called "asthma triggers." Contact with these triggers cause asthma symptoms to start or worsen. The following are common triggers for asthma:

Infections such as sinusitis, colds, and flu
Allergens such as pollens, mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites
Irritants such as strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions, and air pollution
Tobacco smoke
Exercise, called exercise-induced asthma
Weather; changes in temperature and/or humidity, cold air
Strong emotions such as anxiety, laughter or crying, stress
Medications, such as aspirin-sensitive asthma

Asthma in Children

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:16:00 +0000

Asthma is increasingly prevalent among children. Nearly one in 10 American children now has asthma, a sharp rise that still has scientists searching for a cause. An estimated 6.5 million children under age 18 (8.9%) are now diagnosed with the disease. The rate of childhood asthma has more than doubled since 1980, according to the CDC.

Asthma symptoms can vary from episode to episode in the same child. Signs and symptoms of asthma to look for include:

Frequent coughing spells, which may occur during play, at nighttime, or while laughing. It's important to know that coughing with asthma may be the only symptom present.
Less energy during play
Rapid breathing
Complaint of chest tightness or chest "hurting"
Whistling sound when breathing in or out. This whistling sound is called wheezing.
Seesaw motions in the chest from labored breathing. These motions are called retractions.
Shortness of breath, loss of breath
Tightened neck and chest muscles
Feelings of weakness or tiredness

Adult-Onset Asthma

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:14:00 +0000

Asthma may occur at any age, although it's more common in younger individuals (under age 40).

People who have a family history of asthma have an increased risk of developing the disease. Allergies and asthma often occur together. Smoking with asthma, a dangerous combination, is still seen commonly.

However, anyone can develop asthma at any time, and adult-onset asthma happens frequently. If you have symptoms of asthma, talk to your doctor. If you have adult-onset asthma, your doctor will instruct you in using the asthma inhalers and other asthma medications to prevent further breathing problems.

When a doctor makes a diagnosis of asthma in people older than 20, it is known as adult-onset asthma.

Among those who may be more likely to get adult-onset asthma are:

Women who are having hormonal changes, such as those who are pregnant or who are experiencing menopause
Women who take estrogen following menopause for 10 years or longer
People who have just had certain viruses or illnesses, such as a cold or flu
People with allergies, especially to cats
People who are exposed to environmental irritants, such as tobacco smoke, mold, dust, feather beds, or perfume. Irritants that bring on asthma symptoms are called "asthma triggers." Asthma brought on by workplace triggers is called "occupational asthma."

What Is Asthma?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:10:00 +0000

Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult. With asthma, there is inflammation of the air passages that results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. This results in asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Some people refer to asthma as "bronchial asthma."

Even though there are seemingly miraculous treatments for asthma symptoms, asthma is still a serious -- even dangerous -- disease that affects more than 25 million Americans and causes nearly 2 million emergency room visits ever year. With proper asthma treatment, you can live well with this condition. Yet inadequate asthma treatment limits the ability to exercise and be active. Poorly controlled asthma can lead to multiple visits to the emergency room and even hospital admission, which can affect your performance at home and work.

In each of the following sections, there are in-depth articles that link to the topics. Be sure to read each health topic so you have a greater understanding of asthma and how it is diagnosed and treated.

There are three major features of asthma:

1. Airway obstruction. During normal breathing, the bands of muscle that surround the airways are relaxed, and air moves freely. But in people with asthma, allergy-causing substances and environmental triggers make the bands of muscle surrounding the airways tighten, and air cannot move freely. Less air causes a person to feel short of breath, and the air moving through the tightened airways causes a whistling sound known as wheezing.

(Fortunately, this airway narrowing is reversible, a feature that distinguishes asthma from other lung diseases such as bronchitis or emphysema.)

2. Inflammation. People with asthma have red and swollen bronchial tubes. This inflammation is thought to contribute greatly to the long-term damage that asthma can cause to the lungs. And, therefore, treating this inflammation is key to managing asthma in the long run.

3. Airway irritability. The airways of people with asthma are extremely sensitive. The airways tend to overreact and narrow due to even the slightest triggers such as pollen, animal dander, dust, or fumes.

Asthma Overview

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:01:00 +0000

Asthma makes breathing difficult for more than 34 million Americans. Asthma symptoms, which include coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness, are common in an asthma attack. Sometimes asthma is called bronchial asthma or reactive airway disease. Asthma in children is on the rise, but with proper treatment for symptoms of asthma, kids and adults can live well.