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. If it is severe asthma can result in decreased activity and inability to talk. Some people refer to asthma as bronchial asthma. Asthma is a long-term condition that generally begins in childhood. 1 in 12 adults and 1 in 11 children have the condition and it affects women more than men. Asthma symptoms can have varying severity between people and most people find that with good medication adherence the symptoms are very mild. Sometimes asthma can cause severe symptoms what is commonly known as an asthma attack. An asthma attack can be a frightening experience and if not treated properly by medical professionals it can be life threatening.
Common asthma symptoms include:
Asthma is caused by inflammation in the small tubes in the lungs called the bronchi. When you inhale something such as pollen or dust it triggers a reaction in the airways causing then to constrict and swell which causes difficulty in breathing. Other things that can trigger asthma are animal fur cigarette smoke exercise dust mites and viral infections. It is not fully understood why some people develop asthma and some don’t but sometimes there is a family history of the condition.
Asthma can be treated by various medication and inhalers and if taken correctly most people with asthma can lead an unrestricted life. There are two main types of inhalers for people with asthma one helps relieve chest tightness and one helps to reduce airway inflammation. If symptoms still persist with inhalers ‘add on’ treatment such as medication can be tried. This includes things like steroids and stronger anti-inflammatory medication.
This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Doctors Catalog has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 108 for immediate assistance.
