About Asthma
More Information About Asthma
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which makes them swell and narrows the airways. Asthma often begins in childhood, but symptoms can occur at any age. Asthma affects more than 20 million people in the United States, and is the most common chronic childhood disease.
What causes asthma?
Susceptibility to asthma is hereditary. Asthma attacks can be triggered by a wide range of factors, including: strenuous exercise; environmental allergens such as pollen, dust and mold; cold air; emotional stress; viral infections and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
What are the symptoms?
People with asthma experience sudden attacks of labored breathing, chest congestion, coughing and wheezing.
What are the treatments for asthma?
Asthma symptoms can be controlled with two types of medication:
- Long-term controllers, which help prevent and reduce inflammation in the airways and are usually taken on a daily basis. They include:
- Inhaled corticosteroids, which have a relatively low risk and are the most commonly prescribed long-term medication.
- Leukotriene modifiers (oral) help prevent asthma symptoms by decreasing the production of leukotrienes. Long-acting beta agonists, (inhaled) which help control daily symptoms, including nighttime asthma. LABAs may increase your risk of having a severe asthma attack and should only be taken with an inhaled corticosteroid.
- Combined inhalers, which contain a LABA along with a corticosteroid.
- Theophylline, which is a daily pill that helps make breathing easier (bronchodilator).
- Quick relievers or rescue medications are used to ease the wheezing, coughing and tightness of the chest that occurs during an asthma attack. Quick relievers provide short-term symptom relief and should not be taken more than twice a week. They include:
- Short- acting beta agonists, (inhaled bronchodilator) which relieve asthma symptoms within minutes. Some prevent asthma caused by exercise.
- Ipratropium (Atrovent), which opens the airways by relaxing the muscles around the airways (bronchodilator). Mostly commonly used for emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
- Oral and intravenous corticosteroids are used to relieve severe asthma symptoms. These medications can cause serious side effects if used on a long-term basis therefore should only be used short term.
Asthma treatment also includes learning to recognize and avoid your asthma triggers.
To control allergy-induced asthma symptoms, allergy treatments such as immunotherapy (allergy shots), Omalizumab (Xolair) and nasal sprays are often used.
Can asthma be prevented?
While the predisposition to asthma is genetic and cannot be prevented, people with asthma can take the following steps to manage their condition and reduce the likelihood of an asthma attack:
- Identify and minimize contact with asthma triggers
- Take medications as prescribed
- Monitor symptoms and recognize signs that it may be worsening
- Know what to do when asthma symptoms worsen
Who is at risk?
Anyone who has a parent or sibling with asthma is at risk. Other risk factors include: allergies; obesity; smoking, exposure to second-hand smoke, exhaust fumes or other environmental pollutants; and having a mother who smoked while pregnant.
To find out more about asthma:
American Lung Association: www.lungusa.org
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: www.aafa.org
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: www.aaaai.org
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: www.acaai.org
Alissa is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with extensive experience in clinical research across pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. As an Investigator at PRA, she leverages her expertise to support diverse areas of clinical trials to support advancements in healthcare.
Paige began working as a clinical research coordinator at Peninsula Research Associates in 2020. Since joining our team, she has worked on various clinical trials, including COVID-19 antibody treatment studies, a phase II recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine study, a phase I mRNA COVID-19 vaccine study and a phase III pneumococcal vaccine study. Paige is passionate about helping patients receive quality healthcare through clinical research.
Kristen joined the PRA team as a clinical research coordinator in 2018. She primarily works with Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) food allergy trials, including peanut and egg allergy studies. Her study on Palforzia just got approved by the FDA! She will soon be leading a study involving OIT multi-food allergies. Additionally, Kristen’s areas of research include asthma, atopic dermatitis, COVID-19 vaccines, COVID-19 antibody treatments, and pneumococcal vaccines.
Heather has been working as a clinical research coordinator at Peninsula Research Associates since 2017. She currently devotes her time to PRA’s phase III trials, focusing primarily on asthma, atopic dermatitis and diabetes studies. Heather helps maintain a high level of patient care while ensuring our research goals are being met.
Monika manages the research coordinators and research assistants at Peninsula Research Associates. She also currently works on PRA’s trials in the following areas; COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 Vaccines, COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibodies, Quality of Life/Exercise Capacity asthma, atopic dermatitis and eosinophilic esophagitis. She helps the PRA team maintain a high level of patient care while ensuring our research goals are being met.
Debbie Cappy began working with Dr. Sher in 1991 and has played a key role in over 300 clinical research trials. Debbie’s areas of expertise include allergic rhinitis, asthma, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, infectious diseases, otitis media, pain management, sleep disorders, vaccinations, women’s health, and, most recently, COVID-19 vaccinations and treatments.
As Chief Financial Officer, Renée manages all cost, managerial, and financial accounting for Peninsula Research Associates. She is responsible for the day-to-day administration of accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, benefits, and human resources. In addition to assisting management with important financial decisions, Renée also prepares forecasts, budgets, and financial statements. Renée’s expertise includes determining ways to reduce costs and meeting the legal requirements to keep the financial state of Peninsula Research Associates in good standing.
Leigh Ann is a board licensed family nurse practitioner. She serves as a research sub-investigator for many of our studies at Peninsula Research Associates. Her primary focus is on food allergy treatments, eczema, asthma and COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
Dr. Sher completed his medical degree at the University of Utah School of Medicine (1983) and residency in pediatrics (1987) and fellowship in allergy and immunology at the University of California Los Angeles.