Asthma
Upon reading the different articles about asthma, there is a common misunderstanding that asthma is curable. If a person no longer gets asthma attacks when they get older does that mean that they no longer have asthma? The truth is there is no cure for asthma. However, asthma is definitely treatable. The frequency and occurrence of having an asthma attack can be prevented if one can manage their disease appropriately with care and caution. Understanding the signs and symptoms of the disease, the etiology, what the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are, and knowing the treatments of the disease are important factors that people should educate themselves about asthma.
Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs. It is a chronic disease, meaning that it is long-lasting and does not go away. Difficulty breathing is a result from having asthma; the feeling of chest tightness may occur when a person has an asthma attack. Fortunately, one does not always have an asthma attack. An asthma attack is a response triggered by a certain source such as an allergen (which is something a person is allergic to) or an irritant. This source causes inflammation or swelling to the inner linings of the lungs, which results in narrowing of the air passages. Abnormal tightening of the muscles of the airway tubes results in further narrowing of the air passages. Mucus can also build up inside the airway tubes, causing the tubes to get clogged and air cannot flow through. (Familydoctor.org. 2007, May).
Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and faster breathing or noisy breathing are common symptoms of asthma. The severity of an asthma attack varies between episodes and also between individuals. An attack can be mild to severe at times. The symptoms can vary from a persistent cough or to severe difficulty in breathing which may need immediate medical attention. Asthma attacks also vary in frequency. Some people may have symptoms once a month and some...