Overview
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes breathing difficulties in those affected. When an asthma attack occurs, it is the inflammation of the airways causing a temporary narrowing of the passages that carry oxygen to the lungs. The bodily reaction to an attack can include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
Both lifestyle and environmental factors have been shown to affect asthma victims. The rates of asthma have increased dramatically between the 1960s and the 2000s. About 10% of children in North America are sufferers of asthma, in comparison to less than 4% in 1980. The World Health Organization estimates that 300 million people suffer from asthma, as a condition not just affecting high-income countries but all countries regardless of development. It is the most common chronic disease among children.
Symptoms
When an asthma attack is occurring, the airways are either inflamed, tightening or filling with fluid. The most common symptoms include:
– Coughing
– Wheezing
– Shortness of breath
Causes
The precise cause of asthma is not known. However, what all asthma sufferers have in common is chronic airway inflammation and excessive airway sensitivity to particular triggers. Some persons are born with a tendency to suffer from asthma while others are not. That being said, the environment you live in and your lifestyle do determine in part if you have attacks.
The most common triggers for asthma attacks include:
– Breathing polluted air
– Exposure to tobacco or wood smoke
– Exposure to airway irritants, such as cleaning products or perfumes
– Inhaling allergens such as moulds, dust, or pet dander
– Emotional excitement or stress
– Physical exertion
Solutions
If you think that you or your loved ones may be suffering from asthma, please visit your health care provider. The avoidance of triggers is extremely important in controlling and preventing asthma attacks. Ask yourself some of these questions:
– Does someone in your home smoke?
– Does coughing occur frequently, especially at night?
– Are your symptoms more prevalent after cleaning your home?
– Do you wheeze or cough after exercising?
– Do you own any pets?
By paying closer attention to your personal asthma triggers so that they can be avoided is a major step towards living a healthy and happy life.
