Asthma

Alternative Names

Bronchial asthma; Exercise-induced asthma

What is Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects lungs (bronchi).

Signs and symptoms

Goose breathing is considered to be the first and the main sign of the bronchial asthma. However there are some other not typical symptoms of the disease. Dry prolonged cough, fatigue, heavy breathing and sighs, tachypnoe, chronic cough, chest tightness and problems with sleep and concentration. All this symptoms are mostly worth in the morning or at night and after being in the cold air or breathing in smoke or dust. These symptoms are not constant. Their intensity can vary depending on different circumstances (such as for example time of year and environment).

Possible complications

Late ambulation, indifference to the problem and improper self-treatment can lead to severe complications (such as overweight, lungs emphysema, heart attack, hypertension, bones fragility, inability to do sports, chronic tussis, and impossibility of proper breathing) and fatal outcome.

What causes

Allergy, pollen, dust, smoke, cigarettes, training, changes of the weather, mould, stress or nervousness, typical cold and chemicals in products, air and water can wake up the bronchial asthma.

Prevention

Treatment

For asthma treatment there is a number of medications that are divided into three groups: long-term control medications, quick-relief medications and treatment for allergy-induced asthma.

Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs);
Leukotriene modifiers;
Omalizumab (Xolair);
Oral and intravenous corticosteroids;
Theophylline;
Ipratropium (Atrovent);
Immunotherapy (allergy shots);
Combination inhalers;
Short-acting beta agonists (SABAs);
Allergy medications;
Inhaled corticosteroids.

If you don’t have your medication at your fingertips or you don’t want to irritate your airways superfluously, there are some ways to ease the symptoms of asthma.