Asthma is a disease that affects the airways, or bronchial tubes. Normally, when a breath is taken in, air travels to the lungs through the bronchial tubes. In asthma, the bronchial tubes are inflamed and during this time, the bronchial tubes produce thick mucus and swell up. Due to this, the airways get narrow and breathing becomes difficult. People who suffer from this condition are called asthmatics.
Facts
Asthma is a common condition and adults, teenagers and children can be asthmatics. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that in 2007, 34 million Americans were diagnosed with asthma at some point in their lives. In the same year, 3,447 deaths occurred as a result of asthma. The death rate was higher in adults than in children. Also, women had a higher death rate due to asthma than men.
Signs
During an asthma attack, an asthmatic individual may experience a high pitched whistling sound called wheezing. It occurs as a result of breathing through narrow or constricted airways. Other signs of this condition are difficulty breathing, coughing and a sensation of tightness in the chest.
Causes/Triggers
The exact reason why people become asthmatic is currently unknown. It is, however, believed that genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of asthma. Asthmatic individuals typically have periods of normal breathing and times when the disease flares up. An asthma flare up or attack can be triggered by environmental factors such as cold air, air pollutants and allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander and mold. Some medications such as beta blockers, food allergies, stress and respiratory infections can also cause an asthma attack.
Risk Factors
MayoClinic.com notes that having a close blood relative such as a parent or sibling who is asthmatic may increase a persons chance of developing asthma. Some other factors that could put a person at risk for becoming asthmatic are smoking, exposure to second hand smoke, being overweight and allergic conditions. Being exposed to asthma triggers such as chemicals at the work place and being born with a low birth weight are also risk factors of asthma.
Treatment
The goal of asthma treatment is to control the disease and prevent asthma attacks. Several medications are used to treat asthma. Some are available as pills that are taken by mouth, while others are medicines that are inhaled. Asthma is treated with two classes of medications: quick relief and long-term medications. Quick relief asthma medicines are used during an asthma attack. Long-term asthma medicines, on the other hand, are used to prevent asthma attacks or to make them milder or less severe.
Recommendations
The CDC recommends that all asthmatics have an asthma action plan. This is a document that features strategies for asthma attacks and worsening of symptoms. It also provides instruction about how asthma medicines should be taken. This document should be developed jointly by asthmatic patients and their physicians.
