| What is it and who gets it? Asthma is a | | | | and out of the lungs. This leads to symptoms |
| condition whereby the smaller airways of the | | | | like wheezing, breathless, chest tightness |
| lungs constrict (or narrow) from time to | | | | and a cough. Not only that, the inflammation |
| time, causing typical symptoms. The duration | | | | also stimulates the airway to pump out extra |
| and extent of narrowing vary and they | | | | mucus, which causes the airway to obstruct |
| determine the degree of severity of the | | | | further.What are the exacerbating factors of |
| disease. Asthma affects people of all ages, | | | | asthma or what can make it worse? Asthma |
| however, it tends to starts in childhood and | | | | symptoms may be triggered by certain factors. |
| runs in family. Having said that, certain | | | | Occasionally, we do not know why it becomes |
| asthma sufferers have no family members who | | | | worse. It is possible to avoid certain |
| have asthma.What are the symptoms of asthma? | | | | triggers to help to reduce symptoms. |
| Typical symptoms are a cough, wheezing, chest | | | | Identifiable triggers include:Exercise. |
| tightness and shortness of breath. The | | | | Exercise is a known trigger for asthma. |
| severity of asthma can usually be classified | | | | Having said that, you should not refrain |
| according to the degree of symptoms. Each | | | | yourself from doing sports and exercises. |
| episode of symptoms may last from a hour to | | | | They are actually good for your asthma. It |
| several days if left untreated. Death is a | | | | is possible to prevent asthma symptoms while |
| known but uncommon cause of severe untreated | | | | exercising by using an inhaler before you |
| asthma.Symptoms of mild asthma: Episodes of | | | | exercise.Pollen and moulds. This is |
| symptoms only during exercise or triggered by | | | | particular evident during season of hay |
| a chest or an upper respiratory infection. | | | | fever.Infection. Viral respiratory tract |
| You are usually symptom- free between | | | | infections like flu or common cold are common |
| episodes.Symptoms of moderate asthma: You | | | | triggers.Smoking and air pollution.Some |
| display symptoms from time to time. Symptoms | | | | medicine. Certain medicines are known to |
| tend to be worst at night and early in the | | | | constrict smaller airways in the lungs, they |
| morning. You may be awakened at night with a | | | | include aspirin, beta-blockers and some eye |
| tight chest and coughing.Symptoms of severe | | | | drops for glaucoma.House dust mites.Some |
| asthma: You have symptoms on most days. You | | | | food. We do not know why certain food can |
| may find it hard to talk. Frequent | | | | bring up symptoms of asthma. Food like nuts, |
| hospitalization for asthma is also one of the | | | | eggs and fish can sometimes trigger off an |
| criteria for severe asthma.What causes | | | | asthma attack in people who have known |
| asthma? Asthma occurs as a result of | | | | asthma. However, this is not a common |
| inflammation in the lower, smaller airways. | | | | trigger.Emotion. Asthma has nothing to do |
| No one is entirely sure why the inflammation | | | | with your 'nerve'. However, certain emotions |
| occurs. As a consequence of the | | | | like stress, laughing, anxiety can all cause |
| inflammation, the sensitive airway | | | | symptoms of asthma. |
| constricts, making it hard for air to get in | | | | |