According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 20 million people in the United States suffer from asthma. Worldwide, the disease affects 300 million people and is the cited cause of 250,000 deaths annually. Asthma is a type of lung disease, more specifically, an airway disease that affects the flow of air into and out of the lungs.
Identification
Asthma is a chronic lung disease affecting the airways of the lungs. The disease is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs. The disease affects all ages but generally manifests in early childhood. There is no cure for asthma; however, it is manageable with the use of medications and knowledge of the symptoms and triggers.
Symptoms
There are common symptoms associated with asthma, but the severity of the symptoms varies widely among individuals as well as at specific times for one individual. The most common symptoms include coughing (especially early morning and at night), wheezing, tightness in the chest and shortness of breath. These symptoms vary from being mildly annoying or they can be life-threatening. Asthma symptoms can develop into a more severe effect called an asthma attack in which the inflammation and narrowing of the airways becomes worse, severely restricting air flow and leading to possible death if treatment is not used in a timely matter.
Triggers
It is still unknown exactly why some individuals get asthma and some don't, but it is believed to be tied to genetic (inherited) and environmental factors. However, the disease is often tied to specific triggers that increase the chance of developing asthma symptoms or attacks. Allergens are common triggers and include dust, pollen, mold, fur and grasses. Triggers classified as irritants include smoke, pollutants and certain chemicals. Some medications can cause asthma symptoms such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and beta-blockers. Exercise or viral respiratory infections may also lead to asthma symptoms. Triggers differ for each individual and it is important to identify and know triggers to avoid severe asthma symptoms and attacks.
Diagnosis
It can be difficult to diagnose asthma because the signs and symptoms of the disease vary and it often resembles other lung conditions. However, along with a complete medical history and physical exam, the lung function test is the most common tool used to diagnose asthma. A lung function test measures the amount of air that moves into and out of the lungs, most commonly using a device called a spirometry. More specifically this measures any bronchial tube narrowing by measuring how much air one can exhale after a deep breath and how fast. It is also recommended to have an allergy test to identify specific allergens that trigger asthma symptoms.
Treatment
There are long-term and short-term therapies for asthma aimed at preventing symptoms from developing and treating them when they occur. All asthma medications are designed to decrease inflammation and open the airways to reduce airflow restriction. Long-term medications include inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) and combination inhalers. Inhaled corticosteroids are the most common with a high safety profile and few side effects while combination drugs are the second most common, which combine LABAs and corticosteroids, according to the Mayo Clinic. Short-term medications are designed to be used within minutes of symptoms or attacks with the effects lasting a few hours. The most common are short-term beta-agonists, which are inhaled bronchodilators that offer quick relief with minimal side effects. Oral and intravenous corticosteroids are also used, but they pose the problem of long-term side effects.
