Asthma Signs and Symptoms

Definition of Asthma:

Asthma is a chronic long-term disease. It is extremely common. It cannot be cured only at best treated in order to control it. It is a disease that inflames the airways and causes them to become obstructed to varying degrees. The airway obstruction is generally reversible if treated. If left untreated it can lead to permanent obstruction and inflammation of the lungs which can be fatal.

There are two clinical types of asthma:

•    Atopic (extrinsic) – Asthma that is triggered by allergens

•    Non-atopic (intrinsic) – Asthma that is not triggered by allergens.

If you suffer from asthma you are quite likely to suffer from eczema on face and/or hay fever as well as scientists believe that these three conditions are linked.

Causes of Asthma:

Scientists believe that some people are genetically more predisposed to getting asthma than others. They have identified in the region of 100 genes so far that are associated with asthma.

There are thought to be several causes of the disease developing. If your parents have asthma and you are exposed to allergens during your development then you may develop asthma; if you are exposed to certain levels of air pollution then you may develop asthma; exposure to cigarette smoke can lead you to develop asthma; if you suffer from certain viruses as a child you may develop asthma; and stress is thought to sensitize your immune system which in turn makes you more susceptible to allergens this may make you develop asthma.

Once you have asthma you may have periods of time where the disease is under control. These periods can last for weeks or even months at a time. However, the disease does not go away and it is inevitable that at some point an acute attack will be triggered.

If you are asthmatic it is important to identify the triggers that exacerbate your condition. Some of the most common triggers are:

•    Allergens and irritants (animal hair, dust, pollen, mold, cigarette smoke). These can be identified by having tests carried out by and allergist.
•    Certain medications should be avoided such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
•    Stress
•    Colds, viral infections, flu can all trigger an episode.
•    Exercise

When you first develop asthma it is very important to identify what situations trigger your asthma because it differs from person to person. You can’t assume that the above listing is comprehensive as everyone is different.

Symptoms of Asthma:

The main symptoms of asthma are fairly easy to spot, they are:

•    Wheezing
•    Coughing
•    Tightness of the chest
•    Shortness of breath

FAQ:

What is bronchial asthma?
Bronchial asthma is another name for asthma as is exercise-induced asthma. They are all terms for the incurable long-term disease which causes inflamed and obstructed airways.

Can Bartonella cause asthma?

Bartonella does not cause asthma. Bartonella is a bacteria which can cause various conditions in the human population is transmitted to them. Cats which carry Bartonella which they contract from fleas can infect humans through scratches and bites. The human will contract cat scratch disease which does not usually trigger asthma. Cats are a risk factor for asthma if the person involved is allergic to cat hair/dandruff/saliva.

How does obesity affect asthma?

Scientist do not know exactly what affect obesity has on asthma nor do they know if obesity can be attributed as a direct cause of asthma. What they are able to say for sure so far is:

• If you are obese your lung growth is inhibited which results in smaller lungs and therefore smaller lung capacity. When you lose weight the lung function improves.
• If you are obese you airway development is impaired. This is not reversed if you lose weight.
• People who are obese tend to have more acute inflammation of the airways even if they are in a stable period of the condition.
• Control of the condition improves with weight loss.

Resources and Organization:

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_WhatIs.html
http://www.asthma.org.uk/

related:
asthma bracelet