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Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by acute episodes in which breathing becomes more difficult. Typical symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
People with asthma typically have extra sensitive or hyperresponsive airways in their lungs. An acute asthma episode results when trigger substances irritate tissues in the airways, causing them to become red, swollen, and narrow. The resulting bronchoconstriction (muscles that encircle the airways tighten or go into spasm) makes it difficult for the asthma sufferer to take air in and out of the lungs. Most asthma medications work by relaxing bronchospasm (bronchodilators) or reducing inflammation (corticosteroids). Current maintenance therapy for asthma is directed primarily at controlling airway inflammation. Topical inhaled steroids are prescribed for treatment of this condition more often than oral medications (tablets or liquids). Inhaled medications are preferred because they act directly on the airway surface and airway muscles where asthma problems initiate, and absorption of inhaled medications into the rest of the body is minimal. Substances that trigger asthma include allergens; such as dust, mold, and pets; exercise, infection, cold air, and other factors. Asthma affects approximately 3 to 4 percent of the population. Asthma attacks can strike people of any age or either sex without warning; many attacks occur during the night. Length and severity of the attacks also varies, with some people reporting asthma attacks that last up to several days. |
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