ASTHMA

Asthma is a chronic, ongoing lung disease marked by acute flare-ups or attacks of difficulty with breathing. It is a common disease that can happen at any age but most often occurs during childhood and can continue into adulthood. More than 6 million children and 22 million adults in the U.S. have the condition, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Characteristics of asthma include inflammation of the airways in the lungs. These include the bronchioles, small hollow passageways that branch off the main airway from the mouth and nose. Air and oxygen pass through the bronchioles into the alveoli, tiny hollow structures in the lungs where oxygen is absorbed in to the bloodstream. In asthma, bronchioles and alveoli become inflamed, irritated and swollen, blocking the flow of air into the lungs. The surrounding muscles react by tightening and further blocking the flow of oxygen into the lungs and bloodstream. The airway also begins to make more mucus than normal, which further blocks the airways and compounds the problem with the intake of air. This process leads to the development of the hallmark symptoms of asthma: wheezing and shortness of breath. Complications of untreated or poorly treated asthma can be serious and even life-threatening. For more information on symptoms and complications, refer to symptoms of asthma. Asthma is often associated with allergies, and most people with asthma also have allergies. In these people the disease is often known as allergic asthma or allergy-induced asthma. Other types of asthma include occupational asthma, which is caused by breathing irritating or toxic chemicals work. Cough-variant asthma is a form of asthma in which a dry, irritating cough is the most prominent symptom. People most at risk for developing asthma include young children who frequently experience colds or other respiratory infections, such as bronchitis. Other major risk factors include having eczema, an allergic skin condition, and having parents with asthma. Asthma can also develop from occupational exposure to irritating chemicals. Air pollution, smoking and second hand exposure to smoke also contribute to the risk of developing asthma or experiencing a worsening of asthma symptoms. Making a diagnosis of asthma includes completing a complete medical evaluation and history and physical examination. Diagnostic testing can include lung function tests, such as spirometry. This simple painless test measures how much air a person is able to move in and out of the lungs. Spirometry is also often used regularly to monitor how well asthma treatments are working. A chest X-ray may also be done, which can evaluate a number of factors, including the presence of other conditions that may occur with or without asthma symptoms, such as pneumonia, and bronchitis. A bronchoprovocation test may also be performed to measure lung function after a variety of factors that potentially provoke asthma symptoms are introduced to the patient. Allergy testing is also commonly performed to determine a person's individual sensitivities to allergens, substances that trigger an allergic reaction that can result in asthma symptoms. It is possible that a diagnosis of asthma can be missed or delayed because symptoms may be mild or not typical or are associated with other conditions. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of asthma. There is no cure for asthma, although some children may grow out of the condition. With an individualized treatment plan that best fits the type and severity of asthma and a person's life style, asthma can be successfully treated. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of asthma. BRYAN A. GAJELLOMA VI - CHINA