Friday, August 28, 2009

Asthma

By Moses Wright

Asthma is a condition that causes constriction and inflammation of the airways. The primary cause of asthma is an overreaction of the immune system much in the same way that a allergic reactions are triggered.

With asthma, the immune system targets a harmless substance as if that substance pose danger to the individual. The immune system releases histamine which causes the airway constriction and inflammation.

Oversensitive immune systems are an inherited trait called atopy. Asthma, allergies, and eczema are three conditions that are caused by an overactive immune system. It is common for people who have any one of these conditions to have a family history of that condition as well as the others.

When the person experiences a asthma symptoms, it is often referred to as an asthma attack. An asthma attack can be shared by the inhalation of an allergen or cold air.

Tightness in the chest, coughing, wheezing, chest pain, shortness of breath are common signs of asthma. Inflammation and constriction caused the asthma can be reduced with the use of that an asthma inhaler or other asthma medication.

There is more than one type of asthma. Nighttime or nocturnal asthma can interfere with the person's ability to sleep. Wheezing and coughing are common symptoms of nocturnal asthma.

Allergic asthma is a term that is sometimes used to describe asthma that is triggered by allergies. Because allergies can cause the release of histamine in the body, the histamine can cause asthma attacks as well as the symptoms of allergies.

Cough-variant asthma is a type of asthma that can cause a severe cough. The person with cough-variant asthma may not experience other symptoms of asthma besides a persistent cough.

One common form of asthma is exercise-induced asthma. When a person exercises, their airways may narrow which can trigger an asthma attack. Wheezing and difficulty catching breath are typical symptoms of exercise-induced asthma.

Asthma symptoms may be more severe at night time or when the person has a cold or allergies. Some people with asthma experience no asthma symptoms unless they have a cold. A physician may prescribe the use of inhaler or nebulizer when the person has a cold.

One type of asthma medication is taken daily to prevent asthma attacks. The other type of asthma medication is typically sold in inhaler form and is used during an asthma attack to stop the symptoms.

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