Asthma, which affects around million Americans, causes reversible narrowing of the airways. People with asthma have hyper-reactive airways that constrict in response to stimuli that usually don't affect people. Inflammation also occurs in the airways, producing thick mucus that further clogs the airway. Asthma reduces the amounts of oxygen that passes through the lungs--this can affect every other part of the body.
Heart Effects
People with asthma must work harder to get air into their lungs during an acute asthma attack, which puts additional stress on the heart. Tachycardia, a rapid heart rate of 120 beats per minute or more, most often occurs in an acute asthma attack, but irregular heart rhythms can also occur, Spyros Papiris of the University of Greece reports in the November 2001 issue of Critical Care. A drop in systolic blood pressure during inspiration, called pulsus paradoxus, often occurs during severe asthma attacks. Researchers from East Carolina University also report that people with asthma recover more slowly after a heart attack.
Brain Effects
Confusion and excessive drowsiness often occur during a severe asthma attack, indicating a lack of oxygen to the brain. A person can lose consciousness from lack of oxygen in severe cases. Wearing a medical identification bracelet and carrying a cell phone at all times helps ensure correct medical evaluation if a person passes out, the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library advises. Hypoxic ischemic brain injury, damage caused by lack of oxygen, can occur, Patient UK warns.
Kidney Effects
Breakdown and release of muscle fibers into the bloodstream, called rhabdomyolysis, can occur in people with severe acute asthma. A protein pigment released from the damaged muscle, called myoglobin, filters through the kidney, blocking the structures and releasing harmful compounds. Kidney failure and damage to the filtering tubules can occur. Kidney damage is increased by the flow of additional fluid from the bloodstream into the damaged muscles, reducing blood flow through the kidney, MedlinePlus reports. Repeated coughing episodes and rapid, forceful breathing may damage the muscles and lead to rhabdomyolisis in asthma, lead author Daya Upadhyay, M.D., of Northwestern University explained in 2002 in The Internet Journal of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology.
Sleep Disturbances
Acute asthma symptoms often occur during the night, disrupting sleep. Airway function appears to decrease during the night in healthy people as well as people with asthma, but people with normal lung function can tolerate the difference without awakening. People with asthma, however, begin to wheeze and cough in the night. Sleep deprivation can lead to psychological disturbances, the National Sleep Foundation states.
