Asthma is a disorder affecting the airways of the lungs. In response to certain triggers the mucous membranes of the lungs of a patient swell up causing the bronchial tubes to go into spasm. This makes breathing difficult. The muscles may tighten up and excessive mucus may be produced resulting in shortness of breath and wheezing. Unlike other respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis and obstructive pulmonary disease, the inflammation caused by asthma is reversible and generally responds well to medication.
There are 2 sorts of asthma :
1. Intrinsic - occurring as a result of an infection or later in life.
2. Extrinsic - due to allergies.
Common allergens include one or two food types which may lead to a fast asthmatic reply. These include seafood, nuts and eggs. While other foods like wheat, chocolate and certain food colour and additives may lead to a delayed reply. Asthma could also be caused by allergy to dust mites, pollen, dust, insect sprays or other contaminants.
The degree of seriousness of asthma varies widely, with some patients suffering only occasional symptoms while others can have a continuous underlying level of redness and consequent impairment of respiring.
Symptoms of chronic underlying asthma could include shortness of breath during exercise, chronic cough and the constant urge to clear the throat, tightness of chest and wheezing. Exacerbation of asthma could lead to what is commonly known as an asthma attack. In this case the patient experiences shortness of breath even during rest, rapid heart beat, wheezing and chest constriction, rhonchus or noisy breathing and coughing. Depending on severity of the attack air intake be may be so restricted that the patient may turn blue and even lose consciousness.
Info about causes and the development of asthma is some distance from complete. studies appear to suggest that it is closely linked with the body's immunological responses. Incidence is understood to change noticeably between racial groups, wealthy and poorer areas of the planet and also based totally on environmental components for example. Research has demonstrated links with the following :
Exposure to tobacco smoke seems to be related to higher prevalence of asthma
Kids born through caesarean section have noticeably higher degrees of asthma than those born by vaginal delivery. It is said this is due to various levels of bacterial exposure during delivery and it's result on development of the immune response.
Extreme levels of environmental contaminants have also been associated with higher incidence.
Stress has for some time been suspected of causing asthma. It is hypothesised that stress may affect the working of the immunological response and thus indirectly influence the incidence of asthma.
Regular exposure to antibiotics especially at an early age as well as growing up in an excessively hygienic environment, in other words not being exposed to the usual childhood respiratory infections etc may actually leave the immune system compromised and lead to greater likelihood of developing asthma. On the other hand evidence suggests that children who grow up in larger families and are exposed to the usual childhood illnesses are more resilient when it comes to keeping asthma at bay.
Treatment and control over asthma may involve a couple of approaches including life changes, medication and dietary changes and include :
Getting rid of or reducing exposure to the trigger factors in the the environment or diet.
Giving up smoking and avoiding exposure to 2nd hand smoke.
Reducing or eliminating dairy products from diet as dairy products promote the production of mucus.
Medication including short term or long term Bronchodilator may be used to combat bronchospasm associated with asthma.
Vitamin C and Cod liver oil may also be used to reduce severity of reactions and inflammation. - 32378
There are 2 sorts of asthma :
1. Intrinsic - occurring as a result of an infection or later in life.
2. Extrinsic - due to allergies.
Common allergens include one or two food types which may lead to a fast asthmatic reply. These include seafood, nuts and eggs. While other foods like wheat, chocolate and certain food colour and additives may lead to a delayed reply. Asthma could also be caused by allergy to dust mites, pollen, dust, insect sprays or other contaminants.
The degree of seriousness of asthma varies widely, with some patients suffering only occasional symptoms while others can have a continuous underlying level of redness and consequent impairment of respiring.
Symptoms of chronic underlying asthma could include shortness of breath during exercise, chronic cough and the constant urge to clear the throat, tightness of chest and wheezing. Exacerbation of asthma could lead to what is commonly known as an asthma attack. In this case the patient experiences shortness of breath even during rest, rapid heart beat, wheezing and chest constriction, rhonchus or noisy breathing and coughing. Depending on severity of the attack air intake be may be so restricted that the patient may turn blue and even lose consciousness.
Info about causes and the development of asthma is some distance from complete. studies appear to suggest that it is closely linked with the body's immunological responses. Incidence is understood to change noticeably between racial groups, wealthy and poorer areas of the planet and also based totally on environmental components for example. Research has demonstrated links with the following :
Exposure to tobacco smoke seems to be related to higher prevalence of asthma
Kids born through caesarean section have noticeably higher degrees of asthma than those born by vaginal delivery. It is said this is due to various levels of bacterial exposure during delivery and it's result on development of the immune response.
Extreme levels of environmental contaminants have also been associated with higher incidence.
Stress has for some time been suspected of causing asthma. It is hypothesised that stress may affect the working of the immunological response and thus indirectly influence the incidence of asthma.
Regular exposure to antibiotics especially at an early age as well as growing up in an excessively hygienic environment, in other words not being exposed to the usual childhood respiratory infections etc may actually leave the immune system compromised and lead to greater likelihood of developing asthma. On the other hand evidence suggests that children who grow up in larger families and are exposed to the usual childhood illnesses are more resilient when it comes to keeping asthma at bay.
Treatment and control over asthma may involve a couple of approaches including life changes, medication and dietary changes and include :
Getting rid of or reducing exposure to the trigger factors in the the environment or diet.
Giving up smoking and avoiding exposure to 2nd hand smoke.
Reducing or eliminating dairy products from diet as dairy products promote the production of mucus.
Medication including short term or long term Bronchodilator may be used to combat bronchospasm associated with asthma.
Vitamin C and Cod liver oil may also be used to reduce severity of reactions and inflammation. - 32378
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