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What is Asthma? |
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Symptoms
Asthma is a breathing disorder which occurs when the air passages in the lungs (the bronchial tubes) get inflamed and constricted. In response to the tightening of the muscles which line the bronchial walls, these tubes secrete mucus which cause further obstruction, resulting in functional difficulties like labored breathing which is accompanied by chest pain or tightening, a difficulty in sleeping due to the persistent fits, a pronounced wheezing or whistling noise during exhalation, and bouts of the same which can be worsened by another respiratory condition such as the flu. The symptoms may be mild or severe, and may be triggered with excessive physical exertion or during certain times of the day.
Causes
Some people acquire asthma and some don’t, and doctors are still uncertain as to why this is so; but in all cases, asthma is the result of two factors: the patient’s environment and genetic predisposition. Those with a running history of asthma in the family are more likely to inherit the condition, but even those with no previous history of asthma attacks can experience a triggered fit (as caused by various allergens or irritants). Asthma may be triggered by airborne allergens like mold, pollen, or dust mites; respiratory conditions as simple as the common cold; cold weather; air pollutants; contraindications with drugs; intense emotion or stress; an allergic reaction to certain foods, such as oysters or peanuts; and even a woman’s regular menstrual cycle.
Diagnosis
Since the symptoms of asthma are very similar to those of other conditions (such as pneumonia, emphysema, wheezy bronchitis, or reactive airway disease), coming up with a diagnosis is difficult, and the doctor has to rule everything out with a physical exam and a pulmonary function test. The latter determines the amount of air which passes through the lungs during respiration, and may be done through spirometry (which measures the speed and intensity of expiration) or the peak flow method (which uses an instrument for the detection of subtle symptoms of an asthma attack). Asthma may be diagnosed with a methacholine bronchial challenge if the initial tests produce normal results, wherein a mild asthma catalyst (methacholine) is inhaled to detect severe constrictions. A nitric oxide test is also used for monitoring and diagnosis, detecting higher-than-usual levels of nitric oxide in the breath – an indication of asthma. Asthma is classified as any of four categories following a diagnosis, depending on severity; mild-intermittent, mild-persistent, moderate-persistent, or severe-persistent.
Treatment Info
Since asthma is a triggered condition, the patient has to avoid conditions wherein contact with the triggering factor is possible; this effort may be supported by single or multiple medications. Medications may be taken as a regulatory measure, or for situations which necessitate immediate relief. Long-term (maintenance) medications include inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-2 agonists, leukotriene modifiers, cromolyn and nedocromil, and theophylline; quick relief medications include short-acting beta-2 agonists, ipratropium, and ingested or intravenous corticosteroids. Those who are bound to experience asthma in the presence of allergens can take medications which reduce the body’s sensitivity to them, in the form of immunotherapy, or intravenous administration of anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies.
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