ASTHMA.... A Bacterial or Fungal disease..Its CAUSES, SYMPTOMS and EFFECTS

Asthma 

Asthma, also called bronchial asthma, is a disease that affects the lungs. This is a chronic (ongoing) condition that does not go away and requires ongoing treatment.

 Currently, more than 25 million people in the United States suffer from asthma. In total, this is more than 5 million children. Asthma can be life-threatening if left untreated.

When you breathe normally, the muscles around your airways relax, allowing the air to move easily and quietly. 

Three things can happen during an asthma attack.

 Bronchospasm

When you breathe normally, the muscles around your airways relax, allowing the air to move easily and quietly. Three things can happen during an asthma attack.

Inflammation

The internal airways swell. Airway swelling prevents too much air from getting into or out of the lungs.

Mucus production

During an attack, the body produces more mucus. This thick mucus blocks the airways. When the airways narrow, there is a wheezing sound when inhaling and a wheezing sound when exhaling. You may also hear asthma attacks called flare-ups or exacerbations. A term used when asthma is out of control.

Types

The different types of asthma are as follows;

Intermittent

This type of asthma comes and goes, so you may be fine between asthma attacks.

Persistent

Persistent asthma means that in most cases there are symptoms. 

Symptoms   may be mild, moderate, or severe. Health care providers determine the severity of asthma based on how often symptoms occur. They also evaluate how well they can perform during an attack.

Causes

Allergic

For some people, allergies can trigger asthma attacks. Allergens include mold, pollen, and pet dander. 

Non-allergic: 

External factors can aggravate asthma. Exercise, stress, illness, and time can trigger seizures.

Tobacco smoke

If you or someone in your family smokes, your risk of developing asthma increases. You should not smoke in confined spaces such as cars or houses, and the best solution is to quit smoking. The provider can help.

Strong chemicals or smell

These things can sometimes undergo changes in people like sudden attacks.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Asthma includes

• Chest tightness (pain or pressure)
• Coughing(especially at night)
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing

Treatment

The treatment of asthma include the following

Bronchodilators

This drug relaxes the muscles around the airways. Relaxed muscles allow the airways to move air. It also makes it easier for mucus to move through the airways. These drugs relieve symptoms when they occur and are used for recurrent and chronic asthma.

Anti- inflammatory medicines

This drug reduces swelling and mucus in the airways. They facilitate the entry and exit of air from the lungs. Your health care provider may prescribe it daily to control or prevent chronic asthma symptoms.

Control

• It can do everything you want to do at work and at home. 
• Asthma symptoms are absent or minimal.
• You rarely need to use pain relievers (relaxation inhalers). 
• Sleep without asthma interferes with rest.

Prevention

Your healthcare provider says you have asthma. You need to find out what caused the attack. Dodging the trigger will allow you to dodge the attack. However, there is no protection against asthma.

               Written by: Hadia khalid