Asthma
♦Definition :
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. Airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways become sore and swollen. That makes them very sensitive, and they may react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. When your airways react, they get narrower and your lungs get less air.
For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.
Asthma can't be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled using two kinds of medicines: quick-relief medicines to stop asthma symptoms and long-term control medicines to prevent symptoms.
♦There are three major features of asthma :
1.Airway obstruction. During normal breathing, the bands of muscle that surround the airways are relaxed, and air moves freely. But in people with asthma, allergy-causing substances and environmental triggers make the bands of muscle surrounding the airways tighten, and air cannot move freely. Less air causes a person to feel short of breath, and the air moving through the tightened airways causes a whistling sound known as wheezing.
(Fortunately, this airway narrowing is reversible, a feature that distinguishes asthma from other lung diseases such as bronchitis or emphysema.)
2.Inflammation. People with asthma have red and swollen bronchial tubes. This inflammation is thought to contribute greatly to the long-term damage that asthma can cause to the lungs. And, therefore, treating this inflammation is key to managing asthma in the long run.
3.Airway irritability. The airways of people with asthma are extremely sensitive. The airways tend to overreact and narrow due to even the slightest triggers such as pollen, animal dander, dust, or fumes.
♦Symptoms :
Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes with increased production of sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma experience symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus, these symptoms range from minor to severe and vary from person to person. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times - such as when exercising - or have symptoms all the time.
Common asthma symptoms include:
• Chest tightness, pain, or pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing, especially at night
• Wheezing
• Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus
such as a cold or the flu
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
Not all people who have asthma have these symptoms. Having these symptoms doesn't always mean that you have asthma. Your doctor will diagnose asthma based on lung function tests, your medical history, and a physical exam.
Also, not every person with asthma has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your asthma symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one and severe during another.
◘ For some people, asthma symptoms flare up in certain situations:
• Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when the air is cold and dry
• Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases
or dust
• Allergy-induced asthma, triggered by particular allergens, such as pet dander, cockroaches or pollen
♣When to see a doctor
Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Work with your doctor ahead of time to determine what to do when your symptoms worsen — and when you need emergency treatment.
Signs of an asthma emergency include:
• Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing
• No improvement even after using a quick-relief inhaler.
• Shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity
Causes
The exact cause of asthma is not clearly understood, yet. But, many possible causes of Asthma have been suggested. Asthma is believed to be due to interaction of many factors, and these might be related to your genes, or the environmental factors.
Asthma is a type of hypersensitivity reaction. It is caused due to the over-reactivity of the respiratory tract or the airway to the environmental factors, like allergens, cold air, etc
Asthma is known to be caused by the hereditary factors. Presence of asthma in the family members like parents, increases the probability of occurrence of the disease, in the kids too. Scientists have mapped out several genes, which are responsible for causing asthma.
Asthma triggers
Exposure to various substances that trigger allergies (allergens) and irritants can trigger symptoms of asthma.
Asthma triggers are different from person to person and can include:
• Airborne allergens, such as pollen, animal dander, mold, cockroaches and dust mites
• Allergic reactions to some foods, such as peanuts or shellfish
• Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
• Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
• Cold air
• Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke
• Smoking
• Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin and ibuprofen
• Strong emotions and stress
• Sulfites and preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids back up into your throat
• Menstrual cycle in some women
Stay healthy
Taking care of yourself and treating other conditions linked to asthma will help keep your symptoms under control. For example:
• Get regular exercise. Having asthma doesn't mean you have to be less active. Treatment can prevent asthma attacks and control symptoms during activity. Regular exercise can strengthen your heart and lungs, which helps relieve asthma symptoms. If you exercise in cold temperatures, wear a face mask to warm the air you breathe.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can worsen asthma symptoms, and it puts you at higher risk of other health problems.
• Eat fruits and vegetables. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables may increase lung function and reduce asthma symptoms. These foods are rich in protective nutrients (antioxidants) that boost the immune system.
•Control heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It's possible that the acid reflux that causes heartburn may damage lung airways and worsen asthma symptoms. If you have frequent or constant heartburn, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
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♦Definition :
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. Airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways become sore and swollen. That makes them very sensitive, and they may react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. When your airways react, they get narrower and your lungs get less air.
For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.
Asthma can't be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled using two kinds of medicines: quick-relief medicines to stop asthma symptoms and long-term control medicines to prevent symptoms.
♦There are three major features of asthma :
1.Airway obstruction. During normal breathing, the bands of muscle that surround the airways are relaxed, and air moves freely. But in people with asthma, allergy-causing substances and environmental triggers make the bands of muscle surrounding the airways tighten, and air cannot move freely. Less air causes a person to feel short of breath, and the air moving through the tightened airways causes a whistling sound known as wheezing.
(Fortunately, this airway narrowing is reversible, a feature that distinguishes asthma from other lung diseases such as bronchitis or emphysema.)
2.Inflammation. People with asthma have red and swollen bronchial tubes. This inflammation is thought to contribute greatly to the long-term damage that asthma can cause to the lungs. And, therefore, treating this inflammation is key to managing asthma in the long run.
3.Airway irritability. The airways of people with asthma are extremely sensitive. The airways tend to overreact and narrow due to even the slightest triggers such as pollen, animal dander, dust, or fumes.
♦Symptoms :
Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes with increased production of sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma experience symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus, these symptoms range from minor to severe and vary from person to person. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times - such as when exercising - or have symptoms all the time.
Common asthma symptoms include:
• Chest tightness, pain, or pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing, especially at night
• Wheezing
• Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus
such as a cold or the flu
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
Not all people who have asthma have these symptoms. Having these symptoms doesn't always mean that you have asthma. Your doctor will diagnose asthma based on lung function tests, your medical history, and a physical exam.
Also, not every person with asthma has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your asthma symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one and severe during another.
◘ For some people, asthma symptoms flare up in certain situations:
• Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when the air is cold and dry
• Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases
or dust
• Allergy-induced asthma, triggered by particular allergens, such as pet dander, cockroaches or pollen
♣When to see a doctor
Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Work with your doctor ahead of time to determine what to do when your symptoms worsen — and when you need emergency treatment.
Signs of an asthma emergency include:
• Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing
• No improvement even after using a quick-relief inhaler.
• Shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity
Causes
The exact cause of asthma is not clearly understood, yet. But, many possible causes of Asthma have been suggested. Asthma is believed to be due to interaction of many factors, and these might be related to your genes, or the environmental factors.
Asthma is a type of hypersensitivity reaction. It is caused due to the over-reactivity of the respiratory tract or the airway to the environmental factors, like allergens, cold air, etc
Asthma is known to be caused by the hereditary factors. Presence of asthma in the family members like parents, increases the probability of occurrence of the disease, in the kids too. Scientists have mapped out several genes, which are responsible for causing asthma.
Asthma triggers
Exposure to various substances that trigger allergies (allergens) and irritants can trigger symptoms of asthma.
Asthma triggers are different from person to person and can include:
• Airborne allergens, such as pollen, animal dander, mold, cockroaches and dust mites
• Allergic reactions to some foods, such as peanuts or shellfish
• Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
• Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
• Cold air
• Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke
• Smoking
• Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin and ibuprofen
• Strong emotions and stress
• Sulfites and preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids back up into your throat
• Menstrual cycle in some women
Stay healthy
Taking care of yourself and treating other conditions linked to asthma will help keep your symptoms under control. For example:
• Get regular exercise. Having asthma doesn't mean you have to be less active. Treatment can prevent asthma attacks and control symptoms during activity. Regular exercise can strengthen your heart and lungs, which helps relieve asthma symptoms. If you exercise in cold temperatures, wear a face mask to warm the air you breathe.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can worsen asthma symptoms, and it puts you at higher risk of other health problems.
• Eat fruits and vegetables. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables may increase lung function and reduce asthma symptoms. These foods are rich in protective nutrients (antioxidants) that boost the immune system.
•Control heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It's possible that the acid reflux that causes heartburn may damage lung airways and worsen asthma symptoms. If you have frequent or constant heartburn, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
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