Asthma
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a very common chronic condition that affects the airways and breathing. It is partly an allergic condition. There is also a genetic connection between asthma, hay fever and eczema, and this suggests that these three conditions can be inherited.Asthma affects the airways, the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. In someone with asthma, the airways are sensitive and easily become swollen. When they are irritated they narrow, the muscles around them tighten, and there may be an increase in production of sticky mucus. This makes it harder for the person to get enough breath, and causes wheezing, coughing and a strong feeling that the air can't get in or out of the lungs. Asthma does not usually cause trouble all the time. Attacks may sometimes occur quite often, but in many cases the person with asthma is free from the trouble for quite long periods.
More than many disorders, asthma is a 'self-help' condition in which the affected person can do much to prevent attacks. When attacks do happen they can usually be stopped fairly quickly.
Asthma does not have a single known cause but there are several factors that may contribute to the development of this condition. These include atopy, genetic predisposition (having something in your genes that makes you likely to develop asthmas), diet and the environment.
People with atopy are more likely to develop asthma in response to industrial and other pollutants than are people who do not have atopy, and to do so more quickly. In a small number of people with asthma, an attack can be triggered by aspirin or other NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen. Paracetamol is generally a safer painkiller for those with asthma.
Asthma Symptoms
Early warning signs are changes that happen just before or at the very beginning of an asthma attack. These signs may start before the well-known symptoms of asthma and are the earliest signs that your asthma is worsening. In general, these signs are not severe enough to stop you from going about your daily activities. But by recognizing these signs, you can stop an asthma attack or prevent one from getting worse. Early warning signs include:- Frequent cough, especially at night
- Losing your breath easily or shortness of breath
- Feeling very tired or weak when exercising
- Wheezing or coughing after exercise
- Feeling tired, easily upset, grouchy, or moody
- Decreases or changes in lung function as measured on a peak flow meter
- Signs of a cold or allergies (sneezing, runny nose, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, and headache)
- Trouble sleeping
