Culture and Disease

bronchial asthma attack attack attack is a indisposition that is sweeping the country. With so many new cases being report daily, it has become mostwhat of an epidemic. It apprize be found in closely all corners of the world. Although it is most customary in the US, Canada, and UK, it is growing more(prenominal) usual in heavily industrialized countries like Brazil and South Africa. This disease back tooth affect any champion from women to men, children to adults, Caucasians to Afri rat Ameri dopes. However, it is most rife in Afri depose Americans, and even more so in African American women.Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs and one of the most common tenacious term diseases in children (Asthma , n. d). The actual cause of asthma is name slight and there is currently no cure, but certain things in the environs trigger the inflammation of the air steerings, ultimately leading to asthma attacks. However, it is manageable and can be prevented by avoiding your tr iggers. Triggers vary for every person, but the most common ar tobacco smoke, dust mites, pets, and contaminant (Asthma , n. d).The symptoms include penny-pinching in the chest, coughing, and wheezing (Asthma , n. d). Asthma attacks can be foul if they ar not taken c atomic number 18 of right a counselling. During an attack the airways in your lungs shrink and do not allow enough air to wither through. Since we do not know the cause of asthma, why is it that African Americans be three times more likely to be hospitalized from it (Asthma Facts And Figures, n. d)? correspond to Asthma data surveillance (n. d) African Americans are at 11. 6% for having asthma, compared to Caucasians at 8. 2% or Hispanics at 7. 3%.African Americans are also three times more likely to die from asthma, and African American Women keep back the highest asthma mortality rate of all groups, more than 2. 5 times higher than Caucasian women (Asthma Facts And Figures, n. d). Some researchers mean that it is socioeconomic while others believe it is genetic. Either way, the numbers speak for themselves for some reason African Americans are more likely to have asthma than any other culture. Looking at socioeconomic reasons, there are many that can be factors in why African Americans are more likely to weaken asthma. According to (Castillo, Jordan III, & Tan, n. . ) studies have been through that show even though the same health care is offered to two Caucasians and African Americans the quality of treatment is very much lower for the latter. A certain study even discovered that, in a poor minority neighborhood, there was a higher rate of hospitalization and considerably less people with inhalers (Castillo, Jordan III, & Tan, n. d. ).It was also found that minorities compared to Caucasians, would have an increased scene of seeing primary care physicians rather than specialists because of the cost that specialists usually supercharged (Castillo, Jordan III, & Tan, n. . ). Another contributing factor could be lower literacy takes in not only the African American culture, but minorities as a whole. Studies have been done to correlate the two, and what was found was that out of 483 minority patient roles, by and large African-American only 27% of the study cuneusjects could read at a high school level (Castillo, Jordan III, & Tan, n. d. ). This is important because the patients may not comprehend important information given to them about the disease. There are also environmental factors that affect not only this culture, but the community as a whole.Since asthma is triggered by particles in the air, pollution is a big factor in it. Living in areas with higher pollution rates will definitely affect those with asthma. African American children have been known to live in more polluted areas, which help develop more vulnerability to allergens (Castillo, Jordan III, & Tan, n. d. ). The pollution in the high level of ozone is the one that can tri gger asthma attacks among African-American children. The ozone causes irritation to the lungs, and and then creates inflammation in the lungs making it hard to breathe (Castillo, Jordan III, & Tan, n. d. ). wholly of these factors have been known to increase restriction in the airways which results in a greater number of children being hospitalized in these polluted areas. As mentioned before, asthma is not curable. However, it is treatable with the correct combination of medications prescribed by a doctor. Medications can either be given in pill form (anti-inflammatories) or inhaler form (bronchodilators). There are also two types capacious term and quick control. The long term medications are to help the patient have fewer and milder attacks, but they will not help during an asthma attack (Asthma , n. ). Inhalers are the most common for quick control. During an asthma attack, taking an inhaler is one way to help control the symptoms, and choke the attack under control. The o ther way to help manage asthma is to avoid triggers. Everyone has different triggers, where pet dander may affect one person it may not affect someone else. One way schools are working to promote the awareness of asthma is by permit students and parents know the air quality for the day. Schools now have a diagonal flag for the three air qualities. Green is for good, yellow is for moderate, and red for unhealthy.Students often have to miss school because of asthma attacks or asthma think problems. If parents and teachers can work together to educate the students about the importance of staying inwardly on unhealthy days, we can help to prevent attacks. Another way is about educating children on the benefits of staying away from people who are smoking. We see the commercials on television constantly the ones with the bobble in the crib and the smoke purpose its way from a nearby apartment into the childs lungs. The baby goes into a coughing fit and we are reminded how easily smo ke can travel.Second hand smoke is dangerous, especially to someone whose asthma can be triggered by it, sending them into an attack. Anyone can get this disease, although it is more prevalent in African Americans. Even though it is not curable, educating people on this deadly disease is an important aspect to ensuring those affected by it can manage it. Avoiding your personal triggers and making sure you have spoken with a doctor about a treatment plan is key. In this case, both culture and environmental factors have contributed to why African Americans are more commonly diagnosed with this disease.ReferencesAsthma .(n.d).Retrieved from http//www.cdc.gov/asthma/faqs.htm Asthma facts and figures.(n.d).Retrieved from http//www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=42 Asthma data surveillance.(n.d).Retrieved from http//www.cdc.gov/asthma/asthmadata.htm Castillo, R., Jordan III, M., & Tan, L.(n.d.).Prevalence of asthma disparities amongst African?American children.,(), 1-3.