Asthma

Asthma is a condition involving the respiratory system, causing difficulties in breathing. Many people are affected by this condition, which is most often brought on by allergens. Here is some information about the causes of asthma and how to manage this condition.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disorder of the respiratory tract, in which the lungs and airways respond to certain allergens or trigger factors, by inflammation and constriction. The membranes lining the passages secrete increased quantities of mucus, making the condition worse. All these reactions lead to wheezing and coughing. Asthma is caused by allergens such as home dust, pollen, feather, animal fur, animal sweat, insect poison, food, drugs and other chemical substances. Atopic asthma may be caused by viral or bacterial fever but the exact cause is not known.

What are the symptoms of Asthma?

Mild attacks of asthma most often go undiagnosed. The patient may only report a chronic cough, sometimes at night, or when exposed to cold air. This is because the symptoms following a mild attack are similar to what happens during a respiratory infection or bronchitis. The classic symptoms are wheezing (a characteristic whistling noise) and cough, along with complaints of tightness in the chest. Breathing becomes progressively difficult. The breathing is rapid with short breaths.

Are there tests to confirm a diagnosis of Asthma?

The physician diagnoses the condition with the help of the patient's medical history and clinical symptoms and signs. But some tests may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis, know the degree of obstruction and study the progress or improvement of the condition. These include laboratory tests such as Spirometry (a method of measuring the air taken into and expelled from the lungs), peak flow monitoring (a method of measuring how much air a person can expel from his or her lungs), chest x-rays, and blood or allergy tests to know which allergen is causing the attack.

What is the treatment for Asthma?

The aim of treatment for Asthma, is to not only reduce the reactions and bring the condition of the lungs and airways back to normal, but also prevent further attacks. Bronchodilators help increase the air-flow. Anti-inflammatory drugs may also be used. It is very difficult to treat the causative factors. The patient must learn to avoid the trigger factors that cause the asthma. Specific desensitizing methods are also being adopted. Physical fitness will go a long way in preventing the attacks. The most important thing to bear in mind is that one should prevent the conditions that lead to irreversible constriction of the airways.

Is Asthma caused by psychological or emotional factors?

Asthma has been proven to be a physiological problem, but emotional and psychological factors may trigger it.

Will children with Asthma get over the problem?

Children usually outgrow the problem, especially if care is taken to avoid the trigger factors. Sometimes, elders who have had asthma when they were young and did not have any attacks after that, may have episodes later in their life.