More than twenty million Americans suffer from the condition known as asthma. But what exactly is this disease?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition in which a person’s airways become narrowed making it difficult to breathe. There is currently no cure for this disease. Asthma is typically characterized by coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. When allergens or environmental factors causes spike in this symptoms, it is known as an asthma attack.
During an asthma attack, the large airways called the bronchi react to a trigger like an allergen with contracting spasms. The bronchi inflamed and produced mucus further narrowing the airways and leading to the symptoms of asthma. Attacks may last just a few minutes or can linger over several days.Symptoms can usually be relieved using asthma medications but may also dissipate naturally in mild attacks.
Asthma is not new. In fact, it made its first appearance in the Iliad with the poet and author Homer coined a term from the Greek word for short breath. Centuries later, in 450 B.C., the philosopher Hippocrates used the term to describe breathing difficulties and spasms that he had observed in tailors, anglers and middle workers.
Today, doctors agree that there is strong genetic component to asthma. However, it takes more than genetics to make a person have an attack. Environmental triggers are necessary as well. There are many different theories about which stimuli can cause asthma among them early childhood infections, chemical exposure to air pollution and insufficient immune system development.
Once asthma does develop exposure to certain factors called triggers spur system flare ups. People who experience symptoms after exposure to allergens like dust, cat hair or even cockroach dust are said to have allergic asthma. Many people with allergic asthma also react to environmental irritants like cigarette smoke.
Some basic medical conditions like colds, sinus infections and acid reflux disease can also trigger symptoms. Vigorous physical activity and stress are other likely causes of an asthma attack. Serious attacks can be life threatening.
The good news is that people with severe asthma can often overcome or at least control these symptoms even excelling in sports. Just look at swimmer Mark Spitz who held the record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympics despite his asthma and fellow asthma sufferer Jerome Bettis formerly of the Pittsburg Stealers was a popular and a fell running back.
While asthma cannot be life altering with proper treatment, people living with the condition can live very full normal lives. If you or your child are suffering from a breathing difficulties characteristic of asthma, please see your doctor immediately.
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