by Grace Ojulari
Asthma also known as bronchial asthma, is a chronic lung disease caused by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways which makes breathing difficult. it is a condition that doesn’t go away and needs on-going medical management.
During an asthma attack there are three things that can happen.Bronchospasm which occurs when the muscles around the airways tighten,this makes the airways narrow and air cannot flow freely through constricted airways.inflammation occurs when the lining of the airways because swollen which doesn’t allow as much air in or out of the lungs. Mucus production happens when there is an attack, the body produces more mucus, the thick mucus eventually clogs the airway.
The type of asthma is based on causes and severity of symptoms. It can either be intermittent or persistence, it can also be adult onset that is that is after the age of 18 or pediatric which is the childhood asthma which often begins before the age of 5.
Asthma can be triggered by: air pollution, dust mites, exercise, mold,pests, pets,tobacco smoke, strong chemicals or smells, occupational exposure.
The obvious symptoms are,chest tightness,pain, coughing especially at night, shortness of breath, wheezing.
Asthma can be prevented by avoiding triggers
