Asthma is a common chronic lung disease. It is characterized by inflamed and narrowed airways. An asthma attack is marked by wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Oftentimes, the coughing becomes persistent at nighttime or early morning.

People from all ages can be affected by asthma. But more often than not, it usually begins in childhood. Research suggested that about 22 million individuals in America are asthma sufferers; and that six million of this statistics are children.

The airways carry significant air in and out of the lungs. Once these airways are inflamed and or lined with mucus, asthma will then take place. Such episode is triggered by several factors like exposure to environmental stimulants such as warm or cold air, air pollutants, tobacco smoke, allergen, moist air, pet dander, perfume, emotional stress, or exertion or exercise. As for asthmatic children, the attack is usually triggered by viral illnesses, similar to what bring forth a common cold.

Once the airway tubes are obstructed, symptoms of asthma will then become apparent. However, airway constriction acts in response to bronchodilators. In between episodes, patients normally feel well despite the presence of mild symptoms. They may also experience shortness of breath following an exercise routine as compared to people that are not asthmatic. Asthma symptoms range from mild to severe or life threatening, but with the help of particular drugs and certain environmental changes, the symptoms can be controlled somehow. In highly developed countries, the public's attention is centered on asthma due to its increasing occurrence, affecting at least one in every four children.

Asthma arises differently among individuals. For some, it is typified as a chronic respiratory disability, while for others it's referred to as a periodic illness made evident by episodic signs like environmental factors as previously mentioned, stress, and respiratory infection.

Acute manifestation of asthma is labeled as "asthma attack." Clinical hallmarks of such are stridor or wheezing and shortness of breath or otherwise called as dyspnea. Sometimes, the attack is so sudden, which typically commences with a constriction on the chest area, then followed by labored breathing, and then wheezing. Other indications include tachycardia or rapid heart beat, lung sounds that can be clearly detected by a stethoscope, over chest inflation, and the existence of the so-called paradoxical pulse, a type of pulse that beats weaker at inhalation and beats stronger at exhalation.

Furthermore, in the event of really severe attacks, the sufferer may turn blue due to the insufficient flow of oxygen to the lungs and may also experience unconsciousness or chest pain. Before an asthmatic person loses his or her awareness, it is possible that he or she will feel a certain degree of numbness in his or her limbs, and the palms may begin to sweat; while the feet may turn icy cold. Be mindful that truly severe asthma incidents especially those that do not response to the standard treatments are grave and life-threatening, which may even lead to respiratory arrest, or worst, even death. Also take note that despite the seriousness of the symptoms of an asthma attack, in between the episodes, it is probable that a sufferer may exhibit few or no symptoms at all.

Asthma treatment is most effective if the cause is primarily identified. Recognizing what triggers the attack is deemed to be the most efficacious remedy in dealing with asthma. It tremendously helps to eliminate one's exposure to the causing factors like allergens. However, if avoidance is not utterly possible or unsatisfactory, medical treatments are available. So far, the only recognized cure to asthma is desensitization. It is a medical method wherein a being's negative reactions to particular stimulus or substance is reduced or eliminated. In addition, emergency treatment, prevention medication, relief medication, and long-acting B2-agonists are other forms of asthma treatments. Specific treatments vary greatly upon patients, depending on the degree of the symptoms, as well as with the general condition and overall health of the patient.

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