What is asthma?
Asthma, the correct term being "bronchial asthma", is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. There are two types of asthma: allergic asthma and non-allergic asthma, although mixed forms occur as well. In either case, asthma is a condition in which the airways of the lungs become either narrowed or completely blocked, impeding normal breathing.
What happens in an asthma attack?
In response to stimuli, the airways become obstructed. Thereby the tube-like muscle surrounding the bronchia will contract. The inflamed bronchial mucous membrane swells, thus narrowing the airways. The glands in the mucous membrane increase their mucus production. This excess mucus, in conjunction with the narrowing airways, will ultimately lead to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing - an asthma attack.
Common asthma stimuli include allergens (dust, pollens, molds and animal dander), medications, early childhood infections, irritants such as air pollution, industrial chemical compounds, perfumes, tobacco smoke, but also cold air, exercise, and emotional stress.
Who gets asthma and what are the causes?
Asthma is a genetically and environmentally induced disease. It is generally thought that the decision whether a person will become ill with asthma in his/her life is made while being an embryo and in the child's first three years of life: The combination of the environment in that very early life stage and the genetics of a person seem to predict whether a person will be getting asthma.
The disease often progresses from atopic dermatitis (hey fever) to allergic rhinitis (type of a skin allergy) and then to asthma - so some patients suffer for a number of years of these allergic reactions before asthma sets in. There are different agents that can then initiate the asthma-sensitisation process, like certain antibiotics, viruses and airborne agents such as diesel particles.
How can asthma be treated?
Medicaments: There are numerous medications for alleviating the symptoms of asthma. Many medications are made to be inhaled, so that the active agents can enter the bronchia and the branches. There are two main types of drugs used for treating asthma:
- Relievers are taken for immediate action to free up the airways and are steroid free, possibly a better choice for children. They are usually used in case of an acute asthma attack and provide quick relief by relaxing the muscles around the airways.
- Preventers/Controllers reduce the sensitivity of the cells in the lungs to house dust mites and other allergens. Most of these drugs contain steroids. They are usually used on a longer-term basis and everyday, even if you do not have symptoms.
Other possible actions: In the case of allergic asthma the respective allergens should be avoided as much as possible - which is easier for some allergens (e.g. pets, food) than for others (e.g. mould, polls). Patients suffering from asthma should also refrain from smoking. Furthermore, minimal stress and a 'normal' lifestyle are recommended. In many cases, it makes sense to learn breathing techniques and relaxation exercises to aid in the therapeutic process. As emotional aspects can also contribute to asthma attacks, psychological consultation can be helpful.
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- Preventers/Controllers reduce the sensitivity of the cells in the lungs to house dust mites and other allergens. Most of these drugs contain steroids. They are usually used on a longer-term basis and everyday, even if you do not have symptoms.
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