MEANING OF ASTHMA

WHAT EXACTLY IS ASTHMA?

Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, a whistling sound (wheezing) when you breathe out and shortness of breath. 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.

SYMPTOMS

Asthma symptoms 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. These signs and symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or pain
• Wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of asthma in children
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
• Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu

Signs that your asthma is probably worsening   include:

• Asthma signs and symptoms that are more frequent and bothersome
• Increasing difficulty breathing, as measured with a device used to check how well your lungs are working (peak flow meter)
• The need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often

Types of Asthma

• 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 airborne substances, such as pollen, mold spores, cockroach, waste or particles of skin and dried saliva shed by pets (pet dander).

Causes

It isn’t clear why some people get asthma and others don’t, but it’s probably due to a combination of environmental and inherited (genetic) factors.

Asthma triggers

Exposure to various irritants and substances that trigger allergies (allergens) can trigger signs and symptoms of asthma. Asthma triggers are different from person to person and can include:

• Airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander or particles of cockroach waste
• Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
• Physical activity
• Cold air
• Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke
• Certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen.
• Strong emotions and stress
• Sulfites and preservatives added to some types of foods and beverages, including shrimp, dried fruit, processed potatoes, beer and wine
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) a condition in which stomach acids back up into your throat.    

Risk factors

• Having a blood relative with asthma, such as a parent or sibling
• Having another allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis which causes red itchy skin or hay fever which causes a runny nose, congestion and itchy eyes
• Being overweight
• Being a smoker
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Exposure to exhaust fumes or other pollution types of pollution
• Exposure to occupational triggers, such as chemicals used in farming, hairdressing and manufacturing.

Complications

Asthma complications include:

• Signs and symptoms that interfere with sleep, work and other activities
• Sick days from work or school during asthma flare-ups
• A permanent narrowing of the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs (bronchial tubes), which affects how well you can breathe
• Emergency room visits and hospitalizations for severe asthma attacks
• Side effects from long-term use of some medications used to stabilize severe asthma.

Prevention

While there’s no way to prevent asthma, you and your doctor can design a step-by-step plan for living with your condition and preventing asthma attacks.

• Follow your asthma action plan.
• Get vaccinated for influenza and pneumonia
• Identify and avoid asthma triggers
• Monitor your breathing
• Identify and treat attacks early
• Take your medication as prescribed
• Pay attention to increasing quick-relief inhaler use.