Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions of people world wide. It is a potentially fatal disease if proper treatment is not given in time. In Greek asthma means panting.
When you inhale air,it is taken to the small air sacs called alveoli( wherein the exchange of oxygen and carbondioxide occurs between inhaled fresh air and the blood in our body) in the lungs through a bunch of air passage tubes with gradually decreasing diameter.
The tubes with smaller diameter are called bronchioles that have muscular walls capable of contraction or expansion of the bore(diameter) of the tube. These tubes with bigger and fixed diameter are called bronchi and have rigid rings of cartilage which allow slight or no change to the diameter. In asthma patients,bronchioles are extremely sensitive to stimulation by external agents.
When harmless substances in the environment such as pollen,smoke,dust mite…etc..are inhaled,the immune system mistakenly identifies them as invaders,and overacts to activate the immune defenders situated in the air passage causing inflammation and constriction and also production of mucus which blocks the air flow, further aggravating the situation. Now the person gasps for air but unable to breath. The person becomes agitated and exhausted by the futile efforts to breath. This is called asthma attack which may last for only minutes or remain for extended periods. The attack can be sudden or gradual and may happen any time of the day or night.
In fact any thing may trigger asthma attack and it differs from person to person. Obesity can be a contributing factor to asthma. The causes of asthma are not clear but if it runs in the family you may inherit it. Asthma is jokingly referred to as part of the inheritance you receive from your parents which you cannot refuse. The key causes are genetics,allergies,environment factors and substances such as smoke,pollen,dust mite,fungi,animal hair…etc…
The general symptoms of asthma are shortness of breath,chest tightness,wheezing with cough,skin color changes to blueish tinge.
Keep your house environment clean. Give up alcohol and smoking. Join support groups to get advice and support. Consult your doctor to devise an action plan for asthma attack. Be careful with exercises since for some the exercise may trigger an asthma attack. Lose weight.
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