Asthma attack, asthma symptoms, asthma diagnosis, treatment

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Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of airways of the lungs. Asthma is often linked to heredity and environment.

Asthma is considered as a major public health problem in many countries. Asthma is one of the most common chronic disease affecting both adults and children. According to world health organization there are at least 300 million people suffer from asthma worldwide and more than 180,000 people die from asthma each year.

Asthma attack is characterized by sudden attacks of labored breathing, chest constriction and coughing.

Traditionally, asthma was considered to be a condition characterized by narrowing of airways where in the patients would gasp for breath.

Despite the availability increasing treatment, asthma-related morbidity and mortality continues to rise.

The prevalence of asthma is increasing in developed as well developing countries through the world. The current prevalence is estimated to be 5 to more than 10%.

In a normal individual, various airborne allergens (triggers) stimulate the production of antibodies and other chemicals in controlled quantity, which destroy the allergen but don’t harm the body.

But in allergic individual who have asthma there is over production of antibodies and other chemicals which cause inflammation of the airways, which is hallmark of asthma attack.

Asthma Helpline website contains full information about asthma, it's symptoms, diagnosis and treatment along with FAQs and more.

Asthma FAQ of the day

What are asthma symptoms during asthma attack:

Full-blown attack of asthma usually has following symptoms which are usually episodic:

1. Wheezing
A high-pitched whistling sounds when breathing out—especially in children. (Lack of wheezing and a normal chest examination do not exclude asthma.)

2. Coughing (specially in night)

3. Recurrent breathlessness or Shortness of breath.

4. Tightness of the chest, pain or pressure.

Symptoms of asthma vary from person to person. Some may have all the above symptoms and some may have few of them. Severity of symptoms may vary in each attack.

Things which every body must know about asthma

Asthma affects millions of people worldwide. It is one of the disease where the incidence of disease is increasing year by year. It is also the most common chronic disease affecting children.

Here are some important facts about asthma attack that everybody must know:

1. Asthma is not a communicable disease. You cannot get infected and get asthma by any asthma patient. Asthma is disease where genetic and environmental factors play role.

2. Asthma is caused by the chronic inflammation (swelling) of airways of lungs.

3. Airway inflammation contributes to airway hyper responsiveness, airflow limitation and respiratory symptoms.

4. Atopy, the genetic predisposition for the development of an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated response to common aeroallergens, is the strongest identifiable predisposing factor for developing asthma.

5. Viral respiratory infections are one of the most important causes of asthma exacerbation and may also contribute to the development of asthma.

6. The main symptoms of asthma are wheezing, coughing, recurrent breathlessness or shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, and pain or pressure on the chest.

7. Diagnosis of asthma is made by detailed medical history, physical examination focusing on the upper respiratory tract, chest and a test called spirometry.

8. Asthma is not a contraindication for doing exercise. Many great athletes suffer from asthma. Read Exercise Induced Asthma to know more.

9. Two main categories of asthma medication are relievers (used to treat symptoms and exacerbations or acute attacks) and preventer (agents for long-term control, used to achieve and maintain control of persistent asthma) medication.

10. Inhaled route is the most preferred way to deliver asthma medication as it delivers drugs directly to lung airways. This makes the action of the drug faster with lower or negligible side effects.

11. Asthma is one of the most common potentially life-threatening condition complicating pregnancy. Read pregnancy and asthma.

12. Remember that asthma is a treatable disease and you can live a healthy and productive life like any body else with proper treatment.

Note: Asthma Helpline has been specially made to answer queries arising in the minds of millions of people suffering from asthma. Contents of Asthma Helpline are written and edited by medical expert in Respiratory Medicine. The content is for informational purpose only. It is not intended to replace evaluation and advice by a physician. The information provided on Asthma Helpline is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient / site visitor and his/ her health professional.

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