what is the description of asthma

What are signs that you have asthma?

Signs of an asthma emergency include:

• Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing
• No improvement even after using a quick-relief inhaler
• Shortness of breath when you are doing minimal physical activity

How do you know if you have asthma?

• do not cut grass or walk on grass
• do not spend too much time outside
• do not keep fresh flowers in the house
• do not smoke or be around smoke - it makes your symptoms worse
• do not dry clothes outside - they can catch pollen
• do not let pets into the house if possible - they can carry pollen indoors

What are some interesting facts about asthma?

What Are the Costs of Asthma?

• From 2008-2013, the annual economic cost of asthma was more than $81.9 billion – including medical costs and loss of work and school days: 8 ​ $3 billion in losses ...
• The annual per-person incremental medical cost of asthma was $3,266 (in 2015 U.S. dollars). ...
• Among children ages 5 to 17, asthma is one of the top causes of missed school days. ...

What is a brief description of asthma?

• Spasm of the bronchial muscles
• Swelling of the bronchial mucous membrane
• A special form of inflammation of the smaller bronchioles
• Having many resemblances to hay fever
• The affection running in families.
• Often beginning in childhood and sometimes lasting into old age.

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What is the best way to describe asthma?

Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, a whistling sound (wheezing) when you breathe out and shortness of breath. For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance.

What are the main causes of asthma?

Common triggers include:infections like colds and flu.allergies – such as to pollen, dust mites, animal fur or feathers.smoke, fumes and pollution.medicines – particularly anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin.emotions, including stress, or laughter.More items...

What is the real definition of asthma?

(AZ-muh) A chronic disease in which the bronchial airways in the lungs become narrowed and swollen, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing.

How would you describe asthma symptoms?

Common signs and symptoms of asthma include: Shortness of breath. Cough. Chest tightness or pain. Wheeze (a whistling sound when you breathe)

How can you treat asthma?

Inhalers, which are devices that let you breathe in medicine, are the main treatment. Tablets and other treatments may also be needed if your asthma is severe. You'll usually create a personal action plan with a doctor or asthma nurse.

Who is most at risk for asthma?

Overweight adults with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 30 are 38 percent more likely to have asthma. Obese adults with a BMI of 30 or higher have twice the risk of asthma. Stress. People who consistently experience stress or anxiety have higher asthma rates.

What are 5 facts about asthma?

How Common Is Asthma?Approximately 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma. ... About 20 million U.S. adults age 18 and older have asthma. ... Asthma rates are highest in Black adults in the U.S. ... Asthma is more common in female adults than male adults. ... It is a leading chronic disease in children.More items...

Who first described asthma?

While scriptures from China as far back as 2,600 B.C.E. and ancient Egypt mention symptoms of breathlessness and respiratory distress, asthma did not have its name or unique characteristics until Hippocrates described it over 2,000 years later in Greece.

What is asthma and its causes and symptoms?

What Is Asthma? Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It is one of the most common long-term diseases of children, but adults can have asthma, too. Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing at night or early in the morning.

How do you confirm asthma?

The main tests used to help diagnose asthma are: FeNO test – you breathe into a machine that measures the level of nitric oxide in your breath, which is a sign of inflammation in your lungs. spirometry – you blow into a machine that measures how fast you can breathe out and how much air you can hold in your lungs.

What does asthma sound like?

This is the most commonly heard breath sound associated with asthma. While not all people with asthma wheeze, the majority do. Wheezing is generally a higher-pitched whistling sound that occurs most commonly when you breathe out.

What are the three characteristics of asthma?

The characteristics of asthma are three airway problems: Obstruction. Inflammation. Hyperresponsiveness.

When was asthma first defined?

The word "asthma" originates from the Greek meaning short of breath, meaning that any patient with breathlessness was asthmatic. The term was refined in the latter part of the 19th Century with the publication of a treatise by Henry Hyde Salter entitled "On Asthma and its Treatment".

What are the 4 main types of asthma?

Regular asthma reviews with your GP or asthma nurse.Allergic asthma. Allergic (or atopic) asthma is asthma that's triggered by allergens like pollen, pets and dust mites. ... 'Seasonal' asthma. ... Non-allergic asthma. ... 'Exercise induced' asthma. ... Difficult asthma.

What is the difference between asthmatic and asthma?

Asthma is an inflammatory condition that leads to tightening of the muscles around the airways and swelling that cause airways to narrow. When asthma and acute bronchitis occur together, the condition is called asthmatic bronchitis.

Is it true that asthma can be cured?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for asthma. For that reason, you may have asthma symptoms when exposed to triggers. This is the case even if you don't have symptoms very often. Your triggers can change over time, and your treatment will depend on two things: how severe your asthma is, and how often you have symptoms.

What is asthma caused by?

Allergy-induced asthma, triggered by airborne substances, such as pollen, mold spores, cockroach waste, or particles of skin and dried saliva shed by pets (pet dander)

What happens if you have asthma?

If you have asthma, the inside walls of the airways in your lungs can become inflamed and swollen. In addition, membranes in your airway linings may secrete excess mucus. The result is an asthma attack. During an asthma attack, your narrowed airways make it harder to breathe, and you may cough and wheeze.

How do you know if your asthma is worsening?

Signs that your asthma is probably worsening include: Asthma signs and symptoms that are more frequent and bothersome. Increasing difficulty breathing, as measured with a device used to check how well your lungs are working (peak flow meter) The need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often.

Why does asthma flare up?

For some people, asthma signs and symptoms flare up in certain situations: Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when the air is cold and dry. Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases or dust.

How to review asthma treatment?

To review your treatment. Asthma often changes over time. Meet with your doctor regularly to discuss your symptoms and make any needed treatment adjustments.

What are the complications of asthma?

Asthma complications include: Signs and symptoms that interfere with sleep, work and other activities. Sick days from work or school during asthma flare-ups. A permanent narrowing of the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs (bronchial tubes), which affects how well you can breathe.

How to monitor asthma after diagnosis?

To monitor your asthma after diagnosis. If you know you have asthma, work with your doctor to keep it under control. Good long-term control helps you feel better from day to day and can prevent a life-threatening asthma attack. If your asthma symptoms get worse.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a long-term condition affecting children and adults. The air passages in the lungs become narrow due to inflammation and tightening of the muscles around the small airways. This causes asthma symptoms: cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest tightness. These symptoms are intermittent and are often worse at night or during exercise. Other common “triggers” can make asthma symptoms worse. Triggers vary from person to person, but can include viral infections (colds), dust, smoke, fumes, changes in the weather, grass and tree pollen, animal fur and feathers, strong soaps, and perfume.

How to control asthma?

Inhaled medication can control asthma symptoms and allow people with asthma to lead a normal, active life. Avoiding asthma triggers can also help to reduce asthma symptoms. Most asthma-related deaths occur in low- and lower-middle income countries, where under-diagnosis and under-treatment is a challenge.

What is a spacer inhaler?

A spacer is a plastic container with a mouthpiece or mask at one end, and a hole for the inhaler in the other. A homemade spacer, made from a 500-ml plastic bottle, can be as effective as a commercially-manufactured inhaler. Access to inhalers is a problem in many countries.

What are the triggers of asthma?

Triggers vary from person to person, but can include viral infections (colds), dust, smoke, fumes, changes in the weather, grass and tree pollen, animal fur and feathers, strong soaps, and perfume.

Why is it important to educate people about asthma?

It is also important to raise community awareness, to reduce the myths and stigma associated with asthma in some settings.

What causes shortness of breath and coughing?

Inflammation and narrowing of the small airways in the lungs cause asthma symptoms, which can be any combination of cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

How many types of inhalers are there?

There are two main types of inhaler:

What is the CDC's asthma program?

CDC’s National Asthma Control Program works to help Americans with asthma achieve better health and improved quality of life. The program funds states, school programs, and non-government organizations to help them improve surveillance of asthma, train health professionals, educate individuals with asthma and their families, ...

Does the CDC help with asthma?

You must also remove the triggers in your environment that can make your asthma worse. CDC’s National Asthma Control Program works to help Americans with asthma achieve better health and improved quality of life.

What is asthma attack?

Related to asthma: asthma attack. Asthma. Definition. Asthma is a chronic (long-lasting) inflammatory disease of the airways. In those susceptible to asthma, this inflammation causes the airways to spasm and swell periodically so that the airways narrow.

How long does asthma last?

Asthma attacks may last only a few minutes or can continue for hours or even days (a condition called status asthmaticus).

How does asthma affect the body?

In most cases, asthma is caused by inhaling an allergen that sets off the chain of biochemical and tissue changes leading to airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and wheezing. Avoiding or at least minimizing exposure to asthma triggers is the most effective way of treating asthma, so it is helpful to identify which specific allergen or irritant is causing symptoms in a particular individual. Once asthma is present, symptoms may be triggered or aggravated if the individual also has rhinitis (inflammation of the lining of the nose) or sinusitis (sinus inflammation). When stomach acid passes back up the esophagus (acid reflux), this also may worsen asthma symptoms. A viral infection of the respiratory tract (e.g., a cold) also may trigger or worsen an asthmatic reaction. Aspirin, NSAIDs, and beta-blocker drugs also may worsen the symptoms of asthma.

What is the best medicine for asthma?

These drugs, which relax the airways, often are the best choice for relieving sudden attacks of asthma and for preventing attacks of exercise-induced asthma. Some bronchodilators, such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil) and levalbuterol (Xopenex), act mainly in lung cells and have little effect on other organs. Bronchodilators occasionally may be taken orally (i.e., pills or liquid), but normally they are administered through inhalers. The inhaled drugs go directly into the lungs and cause fewer side effects. These drugs generally start acting within minutes, but their effects last only four to six hours.

What test is used to determine if asthma is reversible?

A test called spirometry measures how rapidly air is exhaled and how much air is retained in the lungs. Repeating the test after the individual inhales a bronchodilator drug that widens the airways will show whether the airway narrowing is reversible, which is a very typical finding in asthma. Often individuals use a related instrument, called a peak flow meter, to keep track of asthma severity when at home.

How many people died from asthma in 2007?

Asthma is estimated to cause between 3,500 and 5,000 deaths annually in the United States. In 2007, it was responsible for 217,000 emergency room visits and 10.4 million office visits. Its estimated cost to the United States economy is $19.7 billion. Worldwide, asthma is estimated to affect 300 million people. Asthma is closely linked to allergies; about 75% of people with asthma also have allergies.

What happens to the lungs when you have asthma?

The changes that take place in the lungs of people with asthma makes the airways (the "breathing tubes," or bronchi and the smaller bronchioles) hyper-reactive to many different types of stimuli that do not affect healthy lungs. In an asthma attack, the muscle tissue in the walls of bronchi go into spasm, and the cells lining the airways swell and secrete mucus into the airways. Both these actions cause the bronchi to become narrowed (bronchoconstriction). As a result, an asthmatic person has to make a much greater effort to breathe in air and to expel it.

What is asthma associated with?

Asthma also is associated with exposure to tobacco smoke and other inflammatory gases or particulate matter.

What is asthma in children?

Asthma is a chronic disease of the air passages characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing. It commonly presents in childhood and is usually associated with conditions such as eczema and hay fever. This activity outlines the evaluation and treatment of asthma and explains the role of the interprofessional team in managing patients with this condition.

What is life threatening asthma?

Life-threatening asthma is a type of asthma that does not respond to systemic steroids and beta 2 agonist nebulization. It is necessary to identify it early as it may lead to high mortality. It has the following characteristic findings on examination

Is asthma a genetic disease?

Asthma comprises a range of diseases and has a variety of heterogeneous phenotypes. The recognized factors that are associated with asthma are a genetic predisposition, specifically a personal or family history of atopy (propensity to allergy, usually seen as eczema, hay fever, and asthma). [5][6]

Is asthma a disease?

Asthma is a common disease and has a range of severity, from a very mild, occasional wheeze to acute, life-threatening airway closure. It usually presents in childhood and is associated with other features of atopy, such as eczema and hayfever. [1][2][3]

Is asthma more common in boys?

In childhood, asthma is more common in boys with a male to female ratio of 2:1 until puberty when the ratio becomes 1:1. After puberty, the prevalence of asthma is greater in females, and adult-onset cases after the age of 40 years are mostly females. Asthma prevalence is greater in extreme of ages due to airway responsiveness and lower levels of lung function. [9]

Is asthma a childhood illness?

Asthma is a very common childhood illness leading to multiple hospital admissions and increased healthcare costs. The key feature is airway hyper-responsiveness, which can be triggered by many factors. If not treated promptly, asthma has a high mortality. [4]

What is asthma inflammatory disorder?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder arising from not fully understood heterogenic gene-environment interactions. It features variable airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Clinically, asthmatics exhibit recurrent episodes of wheeze, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of brea …

Is lower airway inflammation more common in asthma?

Chronic lower airway inflammation is known to be more common in individuals that also have inflammatory disorders of the upper airway. The scientific understanding of asthma continues to improve and it is important for providers who treat upper or lower airway inflammation to be familiar with asthma's definition and pathophysiology.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a long-term disease of the lungs. It causes your airways to get inflamed and narrow, and it makes it hard to breathe. Severe asthma can cause trouble talking or being active. You might hear your doctor call it a chronic respiratory disease. Some people refer to asthma as " bronchial asthma ."

What are the symptoms of asthma?

All of these things -- bronchospasm, inflammation, and mucus production -- cause symptoms such as trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and trouble with normal daily activities. Other symptoms of an asthma attack include: Severe wheezing when breathing both in and out. Coughing that won't stop.

What Is an Asthma Attack?

An asthma attack is the episode in which bands of muscle around the airways are triggered to tighten. This tightening is called bronchospasm. During the attack, the lining of the airways becomes swollen or inflamed, and the cells lining the airways make more and thicker mucus than normal.

What is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes?

Asthma is marked by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, with extra sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma have symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus.

How long does asthma last after exercise?

It can affect people who don’t have asthma, too. You’ll notice symptoms within a few minutes after you start to exercise, and they might last 10 to 15 minutes after you stop. Allergic asthma.

What is the normal peak flow reading for asthma?

If you use a peak flow meter at this time, the reading will probably be less than 50% of your usual or normal peak flow reading.. Many asthma action plans suggest interventions starting at 80% of normal. As your lungs continue to tighten, you won’t be able to use the peak flow meter at all.

How many people in the US have asthma?

Asthma is a serious disease that affects about 25 million Americans and causes nearly 1.6 million emergency room visits every year. With treatment, you can live well. Without it, you might have to go to the ER often or stay at the hospital, which can affect your daily life.

What are the triggers of asthma?

Asthma triggers may include allergic (e.g., house dust mites, cockroach residue, animal dander, mould, and pollens) and non-allergic (e.g., viral infections, exposure to tobacco smoke, cold air, exercise) stimuli, which produce a cascade of events leading to chronic airway inflammation. Elevated levels of Th2 cells in the airways release specific cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-9 and IL-13, and promote eosinophilic inflammation and immunoglobulin E (IgE) production. IgE production, in turn, triggers the release of inflammatory mediators, such as histamine and cysteinyl leukotrienes, that cause bronchospasm (contraction of the smooth muscle in the airways), edema, and increased mucous secretion, which lead to the characteristic symptoms of asthma [5, 9].

What happens to the airway during the early phase of asthma?

The mediators and cytokines released during the early phase of an immune response to an inciting trigger further propagate the inflammatory response (late-phase asthmatic response) that leads to progressive airway inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity [9]. Over time, the airway remodeling that occurs with frequent asthma exacerbations leads to greater lung function decline and more severe airway obstruction [10]. This highlights the importance of frequent assessment of asthma control and the prevention of exacerbations.

Why is asthma categorized according to phenotypes?

Classifying asthma according to phenotypes provides a foundation for improved understanding of disease causality and the development of more targeted and personalized approaches to management that can lead to improved asthma control [13]. Research on the classification of asthma phenotypes and the appropriate treatment of these phenotypes is ongoing.

How many deaths from asthma in 2001?

However, the survey also found that mortality due to asthma has fallen sharply since 1985. In 2001, a total of 299 deaths were attributed to asthma. Seven of these deaths occurred in persons under 19 years of age, while the majority (62%) occurred in those over 70 years of age [6].

How to control asthma in Canada?

In most patients, however, control can be achieved through the use of avoidance measures and appropriate pharmacological interventions. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) represent the standard of care for the majority of patients. Combination ICS/long-acting beta2-agonist inhalers are preferred for most adults who fail to achieve control with ICS therapy. Biologic therapies targeting immunoglobulin E or interleukin-5 are recent additions to the asthma treatment armamentarium and may be useful in select cases of difficult to control asthma. Allergen-specific immunotherapy represents a potentially disease-modifying therapy for many patients with asthma, but should only be prescribed by physicians with appropriate training in allergy. In addition to avoidance measures and pharmacotherapy, essential components of asthma management include: regular monitoring of asthma control using objective testing measures such as spirometry, whenever feasible; creation of written asthma action plans; assessing barriers to treatment and adherence to therapy; and reviewing inhaler device technique. This article provides a review of current literature and guidelines for the appropriate diagnosis and management of asthma in adults and children.

What is the most common respiratory disease in Canada?

Background. Asthma remains the most common chronic respiratory disease in Canada, affecting approximately 10% of the population [1]. It is also the most common chronic disease of childhood [2].

Is asthma a morbidity in preschoolers?

The importance of labeling asthma properly in children and preschoolers cannot be overemphasized since recurrent preschool wheezing has been associated with significant morbidity that can impact long-term health [17]. According to a recent position statement by the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Canadian Thoracic Society, asthma can be appropriately diagnosed as such in children 1–5 years of age, and terms that denote either a suggestive pathophysiology (e.g., ‘bronchospasm’ or ‘reactive airway disease’) or vague diagnoses (e.g., ‘wheezy bronchitis’ or ‘happy wheezer’) should be abandoned in medical records [17].

What are the symptoms of asthma?

The symptoms of asthma exacerbations include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Some people may also experience rapid breathing or gasping for air during sleep. Doctors will usually work with an individual to create an asthma action plan to help them manage their condition.

What is the best treatment for asthma?

Appropriate drugs for asthma exacerbations include inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and a combination of ICS treatment and long-acting beta-agonists. People may take these medications orally.

What is asthma exacerbation?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. A person may experience asthma exacerbations, during which their asthma worsens or new symptoms occur. These exacerbations, also known as asthma attacks, sometimes happen with no warning. The symptoms of asthma exacerbations include coughing, wheezing, ...

What are the most common causes of asthma exacerbations?

Asthma exacerbations frequently affect people who have severe asthma, and they usually have a trigger. Viral respiratory infections , such as the human rhinovirus subtypes A and C, are the most common#N#Trusted Source#N#causes of asthma exacerbations in adults and children.

What should a doctor do after diagnosing asthma?

After diagnosing someone with asthma, a doctor should work with them to create an asthma action plan. These plans outline the signs and symptoms of an asthma exacerbation, helping the individual recognize when they are having an exacerbation and understand the steps to take.

What is the measurement of airflow called?

If an individual has asthma, their doctor may use a measurement of airflow called diurnal variability to assess the condition. Diurnal variability measures the difference between a person’s highest and lowest scores on a peak expiratory flow rate test, and it is a key marker of poor asthma control.

What are the risk factors for asthma?

The risk factors for asthma-related death include: a previous severe exacerbation. three or more emergency department (ED) visits for asthma in a year. two or more hospitalizations for asthma in a year. difficulty recognizing asthma symptoms. hospitalization or an ED visit for asthma in the past month.

Overview

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Causes

Risk Factors

Complications

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Prevention

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Reducing The Burden of Asthma

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