Asthma

 

What is Asthma

 

Asthma is a disease which affects the respiratory system. The airways become narrowed, or blocked, making breathing difficult.

 

The severity and frequency of attacks varies, but generally, mild to moderate Asthma can be controlled with appropriate treatment.

 

In some cases, the symptoms can reverse, or disappear altogether, without the need for any medication.

 

Recognizing the Symptoms

 

An Asthma attack can last from a few minutes to a number of hours, often occuring at night and during humid weather conditions. It can be triggered by physical activity, anxiety, stress, or a reaction to an allergic or environmental agent (allergen), such as smoke, pollen, or dust mites.

 

The symptoms vary with age, but the usual signs are breathing difficulty, particularly breathing out (emptying the lungs), with a tight, dry-sounding cough, and occasional wheezing (a whistling noise from the chest). As the attack worsens, breathing becomes more labored, the chest feels very tight, and the person experiences an uncomfortable clammy feeling.

 

The attack can sometimes be relieved by rest, moving to a cooler (not cold) less humid area, or removing the allergic source until treatment is available.

Any severe case of breathlessness, particularly in the young and elderly, must receive urgent medical attention.