Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs that has no cure. It's characterized by recurrent episodes of airway constriction, mucus accumulation in the airways and inflammation of the airways. This results in asthma symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing and difficulty breathing. In asthma, factors such as causes, types and prevention are considered.
Asthma Attacks
Although asthma is a chronic disease, its symptoms may not be experienced daily. Asthma attacks can happen at any time, in response to certain conditions or stimuli. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, during this time, an asthmatic patient's airways become narrow and filled with mucus. Breathing becomes harder and may also hurt.
Causes
Asthma may be caused by allergens (substances that cause allergic reactions), such as pollen, mold, cockroaches and dust mites, the weather, exercise, some medications, some foods, respiratory infections and air pollutants including smoke. Exposure to any of these stimuli may trigger an asthma attack in asthmatics.
Types of Asthma
Types of asthma are classified based on their causative factors. For example, asthma caused by exercise is known as exercise-induced asthma. Other types of asthma include occupational asthma, which is caused by substances inhaled at the workplace; cough-variant asthma, characterized by excessive coughing; medication-induced asthma, caused by certain medicines such as aspirin; and allergic asthma, in which asthma symptoms are triggered by allergens.
Treatment
Asthma is treated with two types of drugs--long-term drugs and quick-relief medications. The long-term medications are taken regularly to prevent asthma attacks. Quick-relief asthma medicines are taken during an asthma attack for quick recovery from an attack.
Prevention
According to the Mayo Clinic, asthma attacks may be reduced or prevented by doing the following: writing an asthma plan that includes how to take long-term medication and manage sudden asthma attacks; identifying and avoiding whatever induces asthma symptoms, such as allergens or dust; identifying and treating asthma symptoms early; and taking all medications as prescribed.
