Q.1. What is asthma?

Asthma is chronic respiratory disorder characterized by reversible obstruction in air flow and increased bronchial responsiveness to variety of triggers both allergic and environmental The airways may tighten, partially close up, swell inside, and make more mucus, when faced with certain triggers. Q.2. What are the signs and symptoms of the asthma? Wheezy (your breath might whistle in and out) Short of breath Tight in the chest Or you might have a cough You may experience one of these symptoms or a combination of them. Symptoms may occur suddenly as an asthma attack, or they may be with you most of the time. Q.3. What are the major causes of the asthma ?

a family history of asthma or other related allergic conditions (known as 'atopic conditions'), such as eczema, food allergy or hay fever developing another atopic condition such as a food allergy having bronchiolitis as a child (a common lung infection among children) being exposed to tobacco smoke as a child, particularly if your mother smoked during pregnancy being born prematurely (especially if you needed a ventilator) being born with a low birth weight (less than 2kg). The symptoms of asthma can have a range of triggers: infections of the airways and chest allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, animal fur or feathers airborne irritants, such as cigarette smoke, chemical fumes and pollution some painkillers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen emotional factors, such as stress or laughing foods containing sulphites, such as concentrated fruit juice, jam, prawns and many processed or pre-cooked meals weather conditions, such as sudden change in temperature, cold air, windy days, poor air quality and hot, humid days indoor conditions, such as mould or damp, house dust mites and chemicals in carpets and flooring materials exercise. Q.3 Patho physiology of asthma As your asthma worsens, three primary asthma Patho physiology changes take place in your lungs: Increased Mucus: As your airways become irritated and inflamed, the cells produce more mucus. The thick mucus may clog the airways of your ling.

Inflammation and Swelling: Just as your ankle swells from the irritation caused by a twisted ankle, the airways of your lungs swell in response to whatever is causing your asthma attack.

Muscle Tightening: As the smooth muscles in your airways tighten in response to your asthma attack, the airways become smaller. The narrowing of the airways may occur and bring on symptoms quickly, or it may occur over a longer period of time. The symptoms of the attack itself may range from very mild to very severe. These symptoms include: Wheezing Shortness of breath Chronic cough Chest tightness Q.4.Exercise influence asthma There are two theories about the cause of exercise-induced asthma. Some researchers believe that the cool air you breathe when you exercise dries the lining of your airways. This triggers your airways to spasm and become tight. This is called the 'water-loss' theory. Another theory is that increased breathing during activity cools your airways. When activity stops, the blood vessels dilate to heat the lining of the airways. The airways narrow and cause shortness of breath and wheezing. T