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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.
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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:
Wheezing
A high-pitched whistling sounds when breathing
out—especially in children. (Lack of wheezing and a normal
chest examination do not exclude asthma.)
Coughing (specially in night)
Recurrent breathlessness or
Shortness of breath.
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 hyperresponsiveness, 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.
Spirometry is a very useful tool for the diagnosis and
management of asthma. Click
spirometer to read more.
last edited 23-10-2008 |
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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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