Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the air.
The airways or bronchial tubes allow air to come in and out of the lungs. The airways are the tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs. People who have inflamed airways.
The inflammation makes the airways swollen and sensitive. The airways tend to react strongly to certain inhaled substances and when the airways react, the muscles around them tighten.
This narrows the airways which cause less air to flow into the lungs. The swelling also can worse make the airways even narrower.
Cells in the airways might make more mucus than usual. Mucus is a sticky, thick liquid that can further narrow the airways.
If you have a family history of allergies or asthma, then you are more prone to developing asthma. Many people with asthma also have allergies. This is called allergic asthma.
It can be caused by inhaling fumes, gases, dust, or other harmful substances.
Symptoms of Asthma:
– Coughing: Coughing can be worse at night or early in the morning. This makes people with asthma difficult to sleep.
– Wheezing: Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound that occurs when you breathe.
– Chest tightness: This may feel like something is squeezing or sitting on your chest.
– Shortness of breath: Some people who have asthma say that they cannot catch their breath or they feel out of breath. You may feel like you cannot get the air out of your lungs.
Causes:
The exact cause of asthma is not known. Researchers think that some genetic and environmental factors interact to cause asthma, most often early in life. These factors include:
– An inherited tendency to develop allergies. It is called atopy.
– Parents who have asthma.
– Certain respiratory infections during childhood.
– Contact with some airborne allergens or exposure to infancy or in early childhood when the immune system is developing.
Preventive Measures
Asthmatics should:
– Avoid exposure to allergens.
– Wear a mask while cleaning and sweeping the carpets.
– Avoid pollutants and irritants such as sprays and cigarettes.
– Sniffing flower pollens, spores, cold climate, dust, and smoke.
– Always carry an inhaler as prescribed by the doctor.
– Seek medical help immediately.
