ASTHMA

Asthma is a disease of the respiratory system. It can range from mild to life threatening. When people have Asthma the airways are constrict and often inflamed and lined with excessive mucus. Asthma is often a response to triggers such as exercise, cold air, viral illness, environmental stimulant (or allergen) or stress. The narrowing of the airways causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Between attacks, most people feel fine.

Asthma is usually diagnosed in childhood.
Risk factors Include:

Personal or family history of asthma or atopy,
Triggers,
Premature birth or low birth weight,
Viral respiratory infection in early childhood,
Maternal smoking,
Being male, for asthma in prepubertal children,
Being female, for persistence of asthma into adulthood.
There is a reduced occurrence of asthma in people who were breast-fed as babies.

Asthma cannot be cured, but most people with asthma can control it so that they have few and infrequent symptoms and can live active lives.

Allergens:
Animal dander (from the skin, hair, or feathers of animals)
Dust mites (contained in house dust)
Cockroaches
Pollen from trees and grass
Mold (indoor and outdoor)

Irritants:
Cigarette smoke
Air pollution
Cold air or changes in weather
Strong odors from painting or cooking
Scented products
Strong emotional expression (including crying or laughing hard) and stress



SYMPTOMS AND TRIGGERS

TREATMENT

ASTHMA ATTACK

THE DANGERS OF SMOKING

ASTHMA AND EXERCISE

ASTHMA AND WORK

ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES

ASTHMA AND CARPETS

The word "Asthma" derives from the Greek aazein, meaning "sharp breath." It was Hippocrates who first used the word in reference to the medical condition.

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