Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs characterized by a periodical narrowing or constriction of the airways. During an asthmatic episode, sufferers will often experience a tightness in the chest accompanied by wheezing, coughing spasms and shortness of breath. Asthma has been attributed to many different factors, including both environmental and genetic. The most common form of asthma is stimulated from an immunological response to a particular allergen.
Incidence
While people of all ages can suffer from asthma, it is the most common chronic disease among children. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute estimate that there are nearly 22 million Americans that suffer from asthma, of which nearly six million are children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, attributed nearly 450,000 hospitalizations in 2006 and 3,500 deaths to asthma in 2007.
Types
There are several direct causes of asthma that include inhalation of irritants such as cigarette smoke, adverse medication effects, exercise-induced and allergic asthma. The most common form, allergic asthma is caused by the direct inhalation of an environmental allergen. These allergens can arise from a number of different sources including dust mites, pet dander, pollen and mold spores and cockroaches.
Diagnosis
Asthma is by itself a difficult disease to diagnosis as there is not one specific marker for physicians to test for. According to the CDC, routine physical checkups that include lung function tests should be strictly followed for anyone who has experienced recurring asthmatic symptoms. The medical history of the family is also considered by the health professional when determining diagnosis.
Considerations
Even if someone has experienced an allergic reaction to a particular allergen, it does not necessarily indicate that they will develop asthma. However, it should be paramount for those that do have asthma do determine what allergens may be provoking their symptoms. Allergy skin tests are a common method used to identify potential allergens. The Mayo Clinic also suggests that a blood test to screen for the levels of allergy causing antibody, immunoglobulin E (IgE) in response to a potential allergen.
Preventions
The most successful strategy to avoid an asthma attack is to stay clear of any and all offending allergens. Household cleanliness will assist in minimizing reactions due to dust mites, pet dander and cockroaches. Mold, mildew and cockroaches also thrive in a humidity rich and moist environment, so these should conditions should be avoided. Pet dander can be partially controlled by minimizing animal indoor habitation.
