Asthma

Asthma is a condition that affects the lungs. It’s one of the most frequent chronic disorders among children, but it can also affect adults. Asthma causes shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing at night or early in the morning. If you have asthma, you will suffer attacks if something hurts your lungs.

Types of Asthma

Asthma can be broken down into several types based on the cause and severity of symptoms. These include:

• Intermittent asthma comes and goes. This allows you to feel normal in between attacks.
• Persistent asthma means that you experience symptoms most of the time. Symptoms may be minor, moderate, or severe. The frequency with which you experience symptoms determines the severity of your asthma according to healthcare providers. 

Asthma has several causes:

• Allergic: Some people’s allergies can lead to an asthma attack. Molds, pollen, and pet dander are all allergens.
• Non-allergic: Outside causes can exacerbate asthma symptoms. A flare may be caused by exercise, stress, illness, or the weather.

Asthma can also be:

• Adult-onset asthma occurs after the age of 18.
• Pediatric asthma, also known as childhood asthma. It typically develops before the age of five and can affect infants and toddlers. Children with asthma may outgrow it.

What causes asthma?

A variety of factors can contribute to asthma, including:

• Allergies
• family history
• viral respiratory infections
• smoking
• occupational exposures
• air pollution
• obesity

If a parent has asthma, the likelihood of having it increases. Allergies, particularly if a parent has them, can raise the likelihood of developing asthma. Childhood respiratory problems and some job aspects can trigger asthma symptoms. On the other hand, cigarette smoke and air pollution can irritate the airways. Obesity also increases the risk of asthma owing to inflammation. 

What are the symptoms of asthma?

The symptoms of asthma can vary from person to person, but they often include:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath 
• Chest tightness or pain 
• Coughing, especially at night or early in the morning 
• Trouble sleeping due to coughing or wheezing

How Asthma Affects the Body

When someone with asthma encounters a trigger, several things can happen to their body. Their airways become inflamed, causing swelling, redness, and the production of excess mucus. The muscles around the airways can also tighten. This makes it harder to breathe. This can lead to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

In severe cases, an asthma attack can cause the airways to become so narrow that not enough oxygen can get through to the lungs. This can lead to a dangerous drop in oxygen levels in the blood, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

How is asthma treated?

While there is no cure for asthma, there are several treatment options available that can help manage symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. These include:

1. Quick-relief medications: These medications are used to quickly open the airways during an asthma attack. They include:
   1. short-acting beta-agonists
   1. corticosteroids
2. Long-term control medications: These medications are taken daily to help prevent asthma symptoms. They include:
   1. long-acting beta-agonists
   1. leukotriene modifiers
   1. inhaled corticosteroids
3. Allergy medications: For people with allergic asthma, allergy medications such as immunotherapy (allergy shots) or oral medications can help reduce symptoms.