Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the lungs, causing attacks of shortness of breath, wheezing and tightness in the chest. Some patients are born with asthma, while others develop this disease later in life. While asthma is a chronic health issue for sufferers, its severity ranges from very mild to severe. Those with the severe form of this disorder can find themselves in the hospital while people with a mild form of asthma can manage their symptoms with a "rescue" inhaler.
Types
Aside from bronchial asthma, patients can suffer from allergic asthma, exercise-induced asthma, nocturnal asthma, occupational asthma and non-allergic asthma. Non-allergic asthma can be triggered by substances in the air, a cold, the flu, sudden temperature changes and gastroesophageal reflux disorder. Nocturnal asthma can be triggered by hormonal changes, postnasal drip or a sinus infection. Women who suffer from asthma can see their symptoms improve or worsen when they become pregnant.
Features
Bronchial asthma is a "chronic inflammatory disease of the airways which causes periodic "attacks" of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness." When people refer to "bronchial asthma", they are really referring to asthma as all asthma symptoms originate in the typical airway inflammation centered in the bronchial passages, regardless of the type of asthma (exercise-induced, allergic or nocturnal). If the asthma originates from severe allergies, substances in the body cause the constriction of the airways.
Considerations
Asthmatics should learn what "triggers" their asthma attacks, whether it is dust, cigarette smoke, animal dander, exercise, stress or cold air. If an asthmatic patient needs a short-acting "rescue" inhaler, she should remember to keep it with her at all times in the event of a sudden, unexpected or severe attack. If someone with asthma also suffers from allergies, she should be tested to find out exactly what she's allergic to so she can start to take medication to reduce the severity of her symptoms.
Misconceptions
One common misconception is that the asthma sufferer is getting over the asthma attack when the wheezing stops. This is a misconception that could cause an asthma patient to die. When the airways are constricted, this causes the characteristic wheezing sound. If an asthmatic does not receive immediate treatment for his asthma attack, if the attack is severe enough or goes on for long enough, he doesn't produce the wheezing sound. This is because he is experiencing "status asthmaticus," an attack severe enough that the lungs and airways have so little air the patient cannot cough or wheeze. It is at this point that the asthma patient is very close to respiratory failure.
Warning
Asthma can't be cured. It can only be controlled. Once diagnosed and treated, asthma patients can often see an improvement in their symptoms and can return to a normal life. This doesn't mean they can stop using their inhalers or taking any other kinds of medication that has been prescribed for them. If they incorrectly think they have been cured, they will see their symptoms worsen and become uncontrolled.
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