Asthma is a term used to describe a medical condition that is an inflammation of the lungs. This inflammation can extend from the lungs along the entire airway, including the nose. Asthma is considered a disease. The inflammation of the lungs and airway causes constriction, which makes drawing air into the lungs more difficult. Asthma is triggered by wide range of substances that are known as allergens.
Symptoms
Because the airway is constricted with asthma, the symptoms are associated typically with trying to draw air into the lungs. These symptoms include coughing, wheezing, difficulty with breathing, and tightness of the chest. These symptoms worsen when the asthma is exacerbated.
Occurrence
Asthma was once considered a minor ailment that affected only a small number of children. It is now considered a chronic childhood disorder and the most common of childhood disorders. It is estimated that there are 6.2 million children under the age of 18 who have asthma.
Asthma Attack
The condition of having an airway that is sensitive to allergens will cause an asthma attack, also called an exacerbation, when there are allergens that pass through airway. The muscles associated with the airway tighten, causing more difficulty in trying to draw in air. Cells in the airway can make more mucus than normal, causing an even worse reaction because it is a thick substance that narrows the airway more. This results in increases in coughing, wheezing and difficulty with breathing.
Allergens
Allergens that trigger asthma attacks include cigarette smoke, cockroaches, dust mites, mold, animals, pets and pollen. These allergens can aggravate the symptoms of asthma, making them more severe. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that are related to spiders. They can live on mattresses, bedding and furniture. Although it's difficult to eliminate them completely, their numbers can be reduced by using dehumidifiers, frequent washing of bedding in hot water and the replacement of carpet with bare wood floors. Cockroaches can be reduced in number by keeping food in containers with tight lids, using bait stations and thorough washing of eating surfaces and food storage shelves. Mold can be reduced by using a dehumidifier and having good ventilation.
Pets
Although some people believe that the allergic reactions to pets such as dogs and cats are reactions to the animal fur, the asthma triggers are actually different. The allergens associated with pets include the proteins that are secreted by oil glands and then shed as dander. Another allergen is saliva, which does get onto the fur when a pet licks its fur, but the asthma is triggered by the saliva, not the fur. Any evaporation of guinea pig urine can also be an allergen.
