About Asthma That We Have To Know

Asthma (AZ-MA) is a chronic (long term) lung disease, inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing), chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. Coughing often occurs at night or early morning.

Asthma affects people of all ages, but most often begins in childhood. In the U.S., more than 22 million people are known to have asthma. Nearly 6 million of these people are children.

Review

Airways are tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. People who suffer from asthma and airway inflammation. This makes the airway swelling and very sensitive. Tend to react strongly to certain substances, which breathed in.

Respond when the airways, the muscles around the tightened. This causes narrowing of airways and airflow to the lungs. Swelling may also worsen, which even closer Airways. The cells in the airways may have more mucus than usual. Mucus is a viscous, dense, it can further reduce the airway.

This chain reaction can cause symptoms of asthma. Symptoms can be every time the airways are irritated.

Asthma

The figure shows the location of the lungs and airways in the body. Figure B shows a normal section Airways. Figure C shows the cross section of the airways in asthma.

Sometimes symptoms are mild and disappear spontaneously or after minimal treatment of asthma. Other times, symptoms continue to worsen. When the symptoms become more intense and / or other symptoms, it is an asthma attack. Also called asthma attacks or exacerbations are flare-ups.

Important to treat symptoms when they first notice. This will prevent the deterioration of symptoms and causes of severe asthma attacks. severe asthma attacks may require emergency assistance, and can cause death.

Perspective

Asthma has no cure. Even if you feel well, you still have the disease and can explode at any time.

But with today's knowledge and treatment, most people with asthma are able to manage the disease. They have little or no symptoms. Can live a normal life, active and sleep at night without interruption of asthma.

For an effective, full medical and continuously play an active role in managing the disease. Building a strong partnership with your doctor and other doctors in the health care team.

via nhlbi.nih.gov