Overview
Asthma is a long lasting health status that causes wheezing, coughing and breathlessness. The degree of its manifestation differ from one individual to another. It is a condition that can be managed easily by most people.
What is Asthma?
This long term condition is triggered by the congestion of the lungs. The airways refer to small tubes which move the air in and out of the bronchi. When someone has asthma, the bronchi become sensitive and more inflamed unlike its normal.
If an individual with this state is exposed to something that provokes his or her lungs, the airways or rather the windpipe narrows and the muscles surrounding it becomes firm hence increasing the generation of phlegm or sticky mucus. The following signs are then experienced:
- Cumbersome respiration(breathing)
- A firm and tight chest
- Intense coughs and wheezing sounds
Asthma attack or ‘acute asthma exacerbation’ is the beginning of intense signs. These attacks require quick treatment since they can at times be very intense and life-threatening in minimal occasions.
Other people with chronic or long-term congestion of the airways may be characterized by an eternal narrowing.
In case one is diagnosed with asthma at childhood stages, the signs may disappear at teenage hood and reappear again at adulthood. Average Childhood symptoms are likely to exist later on in life at any age. Study more on how asthma is diagnosed and also childhood asthma.
Causes of Asthma
Though not fully understood, the cause of asthma is known to run in people who are closely related or family members. There is high chances of a person to have asthma if both or one of the parent has the fettle.
Common Triggers
This simply refers to anything that stimulates and irritates the airways hence causing the signs of asthma.it varies in people and individuals suffering from this condition have several triggers as well.
Most commonly known triggers are: tobacco smoke, cold air, animal fur, chalk dust, house dust and chest infections as well.
Certain activities have been noted to make asthma worse, for example work-related asthma or occupational asthma.
Treatment of Asthma
Although the cure for this state has not been found yet, some effective treatments have been found that can control the condition. The treatment of asthma is founded on some vital goals:
- Ease symptoms
- Precede future signs and attacks from progressing
Combination of medicines, healthy living advice or lifestyle advice in conjunction with identifying and trying to shun possible asthma triggers is a way of prevention and treatment of this condition.
Who is Affected?
Currently, 5.4 million individuals in the United Kingdom are getting medication for this condition. Statistically, 1 in every 12 grownups or adults and 1 in every 11 children gets asthma treatment in the UK. Adults especially women are mostly diagnosed with asthma in comparison to their counterparts.