Asthma is way too common
Article are sourced from this link
Asthma: Definition, Causes, Treatment, Facts, Diagnosis
Asthma is a lung disease that causes narrowing of a person’s airways, making breathing labored and very difficult. The airways, or tubes that carry air in and out of a person’s lungs, become inflamed in people with asthma. When the airways are inflamed, they also become sensitive and swollen. Inflammation, coupled with abnormally high levels of mucus that develops in the airways, blocks airflow to the lungs. Asthma also triggers coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.
Asthma can run in a family, but also happen in isolated cases. Children can develop it from infections during childhood or from exposure to allergens during infancy or childhood when the immune system is still developing. Asthma can be triggered by environmental conditions or lifestyle. It can be exercise-induced, getting worse when the person exercises in cold, dry air. Asthma can also be triggered by occupational conditions such as chemical fumes, gases, and dust. Asthma can be triggered by allergies, particularly to common household or seasonal allergies such as pollen, mold, cockroach waste, or pet dander. Certain medications, as well as high emotions or stress have all also been known to produce asthma symptoms.
Since asthma can run in the family, having one or more family member with asthma puts a person at risk. Other risk factors include being overweight, smoking, having other allergies (particularly to environmental allergens), exposure to secondhand smoke, exhaust fumes or chemicals. Symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, chest pain, difficulty sleeping (caused by shortness of breath or another asthma symptom), wheezing or whistling sound when exhaling, and coughing. People with asthma may experience additional symptoms and side effects including permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes, side effects from specific medication, and asthma attacks, which are intense spells of extreme difficulty breathing. Typically asthma attacks can be prevented with medication such as rescue asthma inhalers. People who think they are experiencing symptoms of asthma should seek medical attention. Early doctor intervention can prevent long term damage to the lungs and keep the symptoms and airway inflammation from getting worse over time. Doctors will test asthma patients’ improvements over time through common tests such as the peak flow meter. Peak flow meters measure a patient’s peak expiratory flow rate, an important consideration when determining the severity of that patient’s asthma symptoms. Peak flow meters, and other long term asthma monitoring, can give doctors and patients a better look at what techniques and medications are improving symptoms and which are not. There is no cure for asthma, though it can ebb and flow. Even when patients are not exhibiting any symptoms, they still have the disease and it can flare up. The best way to prevent or control asthma is to follow a plan set by doctors, which may include daily medicine and specific types of low risk exercise. People with asthma should also get vaccinations for influenza (flu) and pneumonia. |