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Anchorage Pediatric Group
ASTHMA
By: Jodyne Butto, M.D.
Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by bronchoconstriction, mucus production, and inflammation. This is a very nice definition for a medical textbook, however how does this translate into real life? How do families of children with asthma cope? What resources are there? Let’s start with bronchoconstriction. This occurs when the airways into the lungs squeeze closed. It is a self protection mechanism for the lungs to keep irritants out, which at a small level is helpful, but in the context of asthma this reaction is out of proportion to the point of impairing breathing and causing more harm than good. Often this is in response to a “trigger”. Triggers can be anything from pet hair, to dust or pollen, to cigarette smoke, or even cold air. Then lungs then produce mucus to “trap” the irritant so that it can be moved out of the lungs. Finally, inflammation is the body’s way of repairing any damage that may have been done by the irritants. Unfortunately this moves in around the narrowed airways so that they can’t reopen. Medications are used to control the above mentioned symptoms. We use bronchodilators like Albuterol to relax the muscles squeezing the airways. We use anti-inflammatory medications to move out the inflammation cells, again so the airways can open up. At home we can monitor how well lungs are working by checking a “peak flow”. It measures how fast you can breath out, which is a good predictor of how much asthma is occurring. For children there are charts that parents can rate coughing, and breathing difficulties to also get an idea of how much asthma the child is having. Any one of the physicians at the Anchorage Pediatric Group can work with you to establish an “asthma action plan” for your child using everyday “controller medication” which helps maintain symptoms at a minimum and for when you need “acute” medications. Other resources for learning about lung disease and asthma include the American Lung Association and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Jodyne Butto, M.D. is one of the pediatricians practicing at the Anchorage Pediatric Group with special interest in asthma, allergy management and childhood safety. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 562-2423.
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