Around
the globe, asthma is the cause of approximately 175,000 deaths per year, 4,000
of which are in the US alone. Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease
of the airways, which causes airway constriction and results in shortness of
breath or breathing restrictions. A
trigger normally causes asthma attacks, which are an acute exacerbation of
asthma disorders. A trigger is a specific stimulus that the person is exposed
to that causes an increased responsiveness in the airways producing
bronchospasms, and airway obstruction. This trigger varies from person to
person and includes but is not limited to allergens, exercise, cold air,
emotional stress, etc. When a person is having an asthma attack their symptoms
can include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Although
we characterize asthma to be a disorder, in actuality it is our body’s own
defense mechanism by shutting down and protecting our vital organs. The upper
airway recognizes perceived danger such as allergens, toxins, and pollutants in
the air and shuts down the airway to the more vulnerable lungs. However,
without the proper treatment during asthma attacks our bodies can remain in
this state ultimately causing death. Therefore it is important to recognize the
symptoms and to react quickly.
Asthma
can be caused by environmental or genetic factors. Several environmental
factors have been associated with the development of asthma and increased risk
of childhood morbidity. Some of these environmental factors are tobacco smoke,
both in womb and out of the womb, low air quality, viral respiratory
infections, caesarian sections, psychological stress, antibiotic use in early
ages, and use of paracetamol. Some factors have only been associated with
asthma and have not been researched thoroughly enough to be proven as a
definite cause.
On
the genetics side, over 25 genes have been associated with asthma over several
sample studies. Although many of the genes are related to the immune system,
there has not been enough consistency in the studies on asthma to definitively
say that these genes in their specific make up cause asthma. However, the
results do show that these genes cause asthma just not under every condition.
Therefore, further tests needs to be done to discover the interactions of these
genes that cause asthma.
The
best way to treat asthma is to avoid factors that may trigger an attack.
However easy it is to say that, this does not mean that an acute asthma attack
will never happen; therefore attacks should be treated with medicines such as
an inhaler. Inhalers contain salbutamol a short-acting selective beta2
adrenoceptor agonist. By quickly inhaling the medication the drug can target
the lungs, which will spread the medication throughout the body. Long-term
medications can be used as a preventative measure, which include inhaling
glucocorticoids. Preventative medication has shown improved symptom control and
less acute attacks over a period of 12 hours.
Asthma
can be anywhere from mild to life threatening, but can be controlled with a
combination of drugs, inhalers and changes in lifestyle. Be proactive about
your condition. Monitoring and managing the symptoms of asthma can prevent and
decrease future attacks, and can allow for healthier, happier life.
