Asthma

Some of the practical advice for managing asthma may seem a little extreme: Pull up carpeting in your house and tread instead on clean, bare floors. Change the filters frequently in your heating and air conditioning units. Dust regularly, change bedding regularly, maybe give up some favorite foods-or even some favorite pets.

Asthma is a serious and often life-threatening disease. The American Lung Association (ALA) estimates that millions of Americans have asthma. Thousands of people die from asthma each year. At St. Joseph Health in Sonoma County you will be given an asthma health care team that can help you learn how women with asthma can have health babies as well as how your child can live well with asthma.

For someone with asthma, the underlying inflammation of the airways is always present, even without breathing difficulties. An asthma "attack" occurs when the person is exposed to a trigger. This exposure causes the lining of the airways to swell, the muscles around them tighten, and a buildup of mucus. All of these cause a constriction in the flow of air to the lungs.

You read more about asthma by clicking on any of the articles displayed on the left-hand side of your screen.