Asthma Essay

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway that impacts a person’s and their family’s quality of life. In people with asthma, their airway becomes constricted with swelling and excessive mucous. This constriction or narrowing of the airway makes it difficult for the person with asthma to breath (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2009). If asthma is left uncontrolled, it leads to further wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, tiredness, and stress. (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2009).

Asthma itself is an inflammatory disease characterized by increased airway responsiveness due to a variety of stimulus. The inflammation causes the hyper-responsiveness than in turn causes bronchiolar smooth muscle constriction, resulting in obstruction of airflow. Some

Asthma is a long-term lung disease. Those with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs which triggers a flare up. When this flare up happens the muscle around the airways squeeze tight and the airways swell, become narrows and produce more mucus. (Anon., 2016) All these things make it harder for a person to breathe. Asthma effects the human body’s respiratory system. Asthma causes a spasm and constriction of the bronchial passages and the swelling and the inflammation of the mucous lining. The body responds by defence cells from the immune system, which causes the airways to swell and the muscles surrounding the airways to contract. Which is what cuts off the airflow. While a person is in asthma attack, the asthmatic cannot breathe which

Breathing is a vital process for every human. Normal breathing is practically effortless for most people, but those with asthma face a great challenge. During an asthma attack, breathing is hampered, making it difficult or even impossible for air to flow through the lungs. Asthma is an increasingly common problem, and has become the most common chronic childhood disease. At least 17 million Americans suffer from it(1), and although it can be fatal, it is usually not that severe(4). There is no cure for asthma, but with proper care, it can usually be controlled.

Susceptible Individuals are at risk to curtain airborne allergens and things that trigger frequent attack. According to Barnes, (2003) allergic reaction comes from factors, such as allergens, viral infections and exercise .Other triggers such as family pets, which includes dogs, cats and hamsters can cause an allergic reaction. Smoking, dust and fumes plays a part in the environmental factors. Asthma symptoms include tightness and cough chest, wheeze and breathlessness. Airflow obstruction results from twitchiness of the muscles in the airways and inflammation resulting in swelling of the airway walls as well as accumulation of secretions (Asthma UK, 2014) over time symptoms might vary. In young children symptoms in the severity

1.2. During an asthma attack, the air passages become narrow, their surrounding muscles tighten, and stickier mucus is produced. Patients experience symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest tightening and breathlessness. Severe asthma attack can cause restriction of oxygen into the lungs and bloodstream (British Lungs Foundation, 2014). This can be dangerous and life threatening if immediate medical treatment is not received. Asthma symptoms are usually severe at night (NHS Choice, 2014). This can disturb patient’s sleep and can affect their behaviour and concentration. Asthma can also affect the patient ability to do physical exercises as well as their daily routine.

Asthma is a long term non-communicable lung disease that inflames and narrows your airways. If you have asthma then you will most likely have issues with chest tightness (feels like someone is wringing out your insides). You will also have shortness of breath, for example: if you walk up a flight of stairs, you could be breathing like you just ran a marathon. You also tend to have more mucus because

In order to do so the body stimulates coughing, after a prolonged time of coughing ,thick like secretions starts to be coughed up too (sputum). This then lead to the patient not being able to get rid of oxygen or receive any oxygen ether. There are three types of asthma, allergic asthma, mixed asthma and idiopathic asthma; each asthma name base off of what triggers the asthma attack. Allergic asthma occur due to an irritants such as allergens which trigger the asthma attack. This occurs due to the fact that the allergens aren’t recognized by our body’s immune system. Since it is unrecognizable it causes the histamine in our body to label it as a

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute mentions that sometimes asthma symptoms are mild and go away on their own or

In an asthmatic attack the diameter of the small bronchi is diminished as a result of spasm of the muscular coat, active congestion of the mucous membrane and excessive secretion of tough mucus. In inspiration the

The sufferer can't seem to pull in a good amount of air. It could cause them to become dizzy, and it could cause them to have trouble sleeping because they're coughing or wheezing at night and in the morning. While some patients with asthma have a wheezing or whistling sound, others might only have a breathless cough. Attacks can worsen if the person has a cold or virus. Patients with severe asthma could have these symptoms all the time.

Asthma causes swelling of the airways. This results in narrowing of the airways that carry air from the nose and mouth to the lungs. Allergens or irritating things entering the lungs trigger asthma symptoms. Symptoms include trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing and tightness in the chest. In severe cases, asthma can be

The pathophysiology of Asthma includes inflammation of the airway. The way in which this works is from an irritant which can include dust, pollen, cedar, or cat hair. When a reaction occurs, the airways become inflamed and narrow. The narrowing occurs because once the inflammatory response is triggered by an irritant, histamines, immunoglobulin E antibodies, and leukotrienes are released. Because of this, mucous production occurs. Since the bronchioles are inflamed and narrow, breathing becomes difficult. Wheezing sounds can be heard due to the lack of air being able to easily move in and out of the narrowed bronchioles.

During an asthma attack, the muscles around your airways tighten - this is referred to as a bronchospasm. The lining of the airways also become swollen or inflamed and a thicker than usual mucus is produced at this time. The symptoms of an asthma attack are triggered by these factors - the bronchospasm, inflammation, and excessive mucus production. During an attack, an individual may wheeze, cough, be short of breath, struggle to breath, and have trouble with performing normal day-to-day activities. Other symptoms may include hyperventilation, tightness or pressure in the chest, tightness in muscles in chest and neck, difficulty talking, anxiety or feeling panicked, pale and sweaty face, and blue lips or

Pathology a paroxysmal, often allergic disorder of respiration, characterized by bronchospasm, wheezing, and difficulty in expiration, often accompanied by coughing and feeling of constriction in the chest. Also called bronchial asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition, and there is no cure for it. You can consult with your doctor about how to manage it. Knowing as much as you can about the condition, can help you understand how to live with it. Asthma affects people of all ages, more than 22 million people are known to have asthma, and about 6 million are childrenSigns and symptoms of asthma is shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing chest tightness. People that have allergies, eczema, or parents that have asthma are more at risk. In children more boys have asthma than girls, but in adults more women have it than men. You want to make sure to get a lung function test done to determine if you have asthma for sure. The symptoms are the same as to other things also, such as the flu or pneumonia.