Asthma

What is Asthma?
What causes Asthma?
What is an Asthma "trigger"?
Who gets Asthma?
What are its symptoms?

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) disease that can block airflow and make it hard to breathe. Episodes of airflow blockage are usually temporary and reversible. These blockages, also known as "attacks," occur when the main air passages of the lungs (bronchial tubes) become inflamed. During an asthma attack, airway muscles tighten, extra mucus is released and the airways swell. This can lead to coughing, shortness of breath, a tightened chest and wheezing. In some cases, breathing may be so difficult that an asthma attack becomes life threatening.

What causes asthma?

Researchers are not exactly sure why some people get asthma and others don't, but there are a number of factors that may increase a person's chance for developing the disease. These include:

• Living in an urban area, especially the inner city, which may increase exposure to environmental pollutants
• Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
• Exposure to occupational pollutants including: chemicals used in farming and hairdressing, chemicals used in paint, steel, plastics and electronics manufacturing
• Having one or both parents with asthma
• Respiratory infections in childhood
• Low birth weight
• Obesity
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

What is an asthma "trigger?"

People with asthma have very sensitive airways that react negatively to a variety of irritants in the environment. These irritants are called "triggers." Contact with triggers cause asthma symptoms to start or worsen. Common asthma triggers include:

• Infections (colds, viruses, flu, sinus infection)
• Pollens, mold spores, pet dander, cockroach feces and dust mites
• Strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions
• Air pollution
• Tobacco smoke
• Exercise or exertion
• Weather - changes in temperature and/or humidity, cold air
• Strong emotions such as anxiety, laughter, crying and stress.

Who gets asthma?

More than 31 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their lifetime. About a third are children under age 18. Asthma may occur at any age, although it is more common in people under age 40. Asthma is more common in boys than in girls until puberty, when it is then found more commonly in females. People who have a family history of asthma have an increased risk of developing the disease. Asthma is also more common in people who have allergies or who are exposed to tobacco smoke.

What are its symptoms?

Asthma symptoms include:

• Coughing, especially at night
• Wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound when breathing out)
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness, pain or pressure.

Not every person with asthma has the same symptoms. Some may not have all of these symptoms, or will have different symptoms at different times. The severity of symptoms also may vary from one asthma attack to the next, sometimes being mild, and other times severe.

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