Asthma Health Article

Definition

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system that causes breathing difficulty. Asthma comes from the Greek word for panting. The disease is an over-responsiveness of the respiratory system to stimulating factors. It is characterized by repeated, temporary episodes of constriction and inflammation of the airways and lungs, along with excess mucous production. Asthma causes wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Asthma attacks are characterized by severe difficulty breathing, especially when exhaling. Severe attacks that are left untreated may become fatal. An individual with asthma may be completely without symptoms between attacks.

Description

Asthma is a chronic, lifelong disease that affects the complex network of air passageways of the respiratory system. People with asthma may experience from mild discomfort to life-threatening attacks that require immediate emergency treatment. The respiratory system is made up of bronchial tubes (airways) and the lungs. Asthma involves the inflammation of the bronchial tubes and lining of the lungs. The inflammation causes the airways to be overly sensitive to irritating factors, which cause constriction and obstruction to the passage of air into the lungs. Asthmatics also produce excess amounts of mucous in the respiratory tract. Mucous is a normal component of respiratory function that aids in carrying irritating particles up and out of the respiratory system to be expectorated (coughed up) from the body. Asthmatics produce excessive, abnormally thick mucous that interferes with breathing and contributes to the problem. Severe asthma attacks can be fatal. Persistent or chronic inflammation of the airways can cause permanent damage, or airway "remodeling," and reduce lung function so that breathing becomes less efficient even outside of asthma attacks. Asthmatics may experience chronic wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and a feeling of a tightening of the chest. Medication and careful management of the disease is often necessary for maintaining normal function.

Chronic asthma has both a genetic and an environmental component. Research has demonstrated that some individuals inherit a strong genetic predisposition for asthma that can be triggered by a variety of environmental factors. Stimuli for triggering asthmatic symptoms include repeated exposure to irritants, such as dust mites, pet hairs, and tobacco smoke. These types of stimuli are considered allergens, or particles that trigger an allergic response. Asthma may also be induced by exercise, especially in cold climates where the respiratory system has to work harder to warm and moisten inhaled air. Some asthmatics only experience symptoms during viral infections. Asthma may also be stimulated by emotional stress. Both physical and psychological factors may precipitate an asthma attack.