The Asthma problem

CEBU, Philippines – Asthma seems to have become more and more common these days, among children especially, although the disease affects people of all ages.

The increased environmental pollution is blamed by some. Others believe air pollution is only partly a cause.

According to the website www.nhlbi.nhi.gov, asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. It causes recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning.

To understand asthma, the website explains, it helps to know how the airways work. The airways are tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs. In people who have asthma the airways are inflamed. The airways are swollen and become very sensitive.

The inflamed airways tend to react strongly to certain inhaled substances. The reaction is characterized by the tightening of the muscles around the airways. This narrows the airways, causing less air to flow into the lungs.

The swelling can worsen, making the airways even narrower. Cells in the airways might also make more mucus than usual. Mucus – a sticky, thick liquid – can further narrow the airways.

The chain reaction can result in asthma symptoms. Symptoms can occur each time the airways are inflamed. Sometimes asthma symptoms are mild and go away on their own or with minimal medication; at other times, symptoms continue to get worse. When symptoms persist or worsen, it’s called an asthma attack.

Treating asthma symptoms early is important in order to prevent it from worsening and causing a severe asthma attack. In case of a severe asthma attack, emergency care is often necessary. Otherwise, it can be fatal.

Asthma has no cure. And those who have the disease may feel fine – until an asthma attack happens, which can be at any time. Fortunately, recent knowledge and treatments of asthma make it possible for people suffering from the disease to effectively manage it, minimizing the symptoms to the minimum or even conquering it altogether. Many asthmatic people today live normal, active lives and sleep through the night without interruption from the disease.

The exact cause of asthma isn’t known. But researchers think some genetic and environmental factors interact to cause asthma, most often early in life. These factors include: an inherited tendency to develop allergies, parents who have asthma, certain respiratory infections during childhood, and contact with some airborne allergens or exposure to some viral infections in infancy or in early childhood when the immune system is still developing.

And many things can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms. The doctor can help identify particular triggers that may be causing a patient’s asthma. The common triggers include:

• Allergens from dust, animal fur, cockroaches, mold, and pollens from trees, grasses, and flowers;

• Irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemicals or dust in the workplace, compounds in home décor products, and sprays (such as hairspray);

• Medicines such as aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nonselective beta-blockers;

• Sulfites in foods and drinks;

• Viral upper respiratory infections, such as colds;

• Physical activity, including exercise.

Moreover, asthma is different for each person. Some of the known triggers may not affect one but affect another. And, still, certain rare triggers affect others. Again, it is best to consult the doctor.

The www.nhlbi.nhi.gov website also cites that other health conditions can make asthma harder to manage – conditions such as runny nose, sinus infections, reflux disease, psychological stress, and sleep apnea. These conditions need treatment as part of an overall asthma care plan.