Asthma is a condition that affects millions of Americans daily. It most commonly presents itself as an allergy disorder within the lungs—creating a chronic inflammation of the airways—that makes breathing very difficult. Most patients who are diagnosed with asthma, also suffer from seasonal or some other form of mild or serious allergies. It is important that for people with asthma, their exact allergies are understood so that a prevention mechanism can be put into place so that asthma does not become the result of a trigger or outbreak.
Causes
Inhaling certain allergens such as pollen, mold, various types of smoke, dust or fumes, can trigger asthma. Excessive exercise and breathing in cold air are also known causes to offset an asthma attack. When the airways become blocked, most often, the muscles that are located within these airways begin to have spasms; swelling and inflammation of the mucus membrane lining occurs and the result is usually an asthma attack.
Symptoms
The most common signs that an individual is experiencing asthma or an asthma attack is a shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, a tightening of the chest and very fast and rapid breathing.
Treatment
There are many treatment options to relive symptoms and prevent ongoing asthma attacks. Understanding the allergens that might produce the asthma attack is key in the prevention of one occurring; asthma medications, inhalers, steroids ad other anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed in order to manage the symptoms associated with asthma. In more severe cases, a nebulizer (breathing machine) or airway opening can used to help open up blocked airways.