Updated July 19, 2015.
A Definition
What is asthma is a common question among newly diagnosed asthma patients. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes episodes of difficult breathing. Asthma symptoms are caused primarily due to constriction, tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways, and inflammation, soreness, swelling and irritation of the airways in the lungs.
Important Statistics
More than 22 million people -- and some 6 million children -- have asthma.
Everyday in the United States:
- 40,000 people will miss school or work because of asthma
- 30,000 people will have an asthma attack
- 5,000 people will visit the emergency room because of their asthma
- 1,000 people will be admitted to the hospital because of asthma
- 11 people will die due to asthma
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Different Types of Asthma
There are actually several different types of asthma. Understanding the specific type of asthma you have can help you get the most effective treatment. Some the types of are:
- Allergic asthma
- Exercise induced asthma
- Occupational asthma
- Cough variant asthma
- Nocturnal (nighttime) asthma
Causes of Asthma
Asthma has increased dramatically over the last several decades. While the exact cause of asthma is unknown, many think the following factors act together to cause asthma or are risk factors for asthma:
- Atopy, or an inherited tendency to develop allergy
- Family history of asthma
- Contracting certain respiratory infections in early childhood
- Exposure to some airborne allergens and viral infections during early childhood as the immune system develops.
- Other allergens like animal dander
- Allergic rhinitis
- Exposure to cigarette smoke
- Obesity
- Airway hyperreactivity (an exaggerated airway responsiveness to various stimuli)
Normal vs. Asthmatic Breathing
When a person without asthma breathes in, the air:
- Enters through the nose or mouth.
- Goes down the trachea, or windpipe.
- Enters the bronchioles, or airways of the lung.
- Blood is oxygenated at the alveoli.
- Goes back out again.
However, for asthmatics, this process is different and more difficult. In asthma patients, the airways are very sensitive and may react to a number of different triggers, such as smoke, pollens and infections, leading to constriction and inflammation of the airways.Constriction and inflammation cause airflow obstruction, making it difficult to breathe.
Asthma symptoms will wax and wane over time with treatment focused on both the prevention and control of symptoms and the reduction of inflammation.
Asthma Symptoms
The constriction and inflammation may cause patients to experience some or all of the following symptoms:
Everyone's asthma is different. You may experience other symptoms and symptoms will vary in intensity. For more information about signs and symptoms of asthma, visit About.com's Symptom Checker, an interactive tool to help you learn more about signs and symptoms of asthma and other diseases.
Diagnosing Asthma
In general diagnosing asthma requires 2 specific criteria:
- Presence of symptoms compatible with asthma.
- Objective measurement of decreased airflow in your lungs using a specific measurement like peak expiratory flow.
Your health care provider will generally take a detailed history from you and perform a physical exam. Your healthcare provider may order tests to assist in making a diagnosis such as:
- Pulmonary function testing
- Chest x-ray
- Blood tests
Asthma Treatment
Treatment for your or your child's asthma will primarily involve three main components:
- Monitoring of your peak expiratory flow and asthma symptoms.
- Avoidance of triggers.
- Treatment with medications.
It is important that you regularly visit your healthcare provider and follow your action plan inorder to get control of your asthma.
Prevention
While medicine cannot currently prevent you or your child from getting asthma, you can learn how to get control of asthma and prevent asthma symptoms from significantly impacting you.
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Learn More About Asthma Prevention
- Understanding Asthma Triggers Is A Key To Asthma Prevention
- Decreasing Exposure to Asthma Triggers Is an Important Part of Your Treatment
- Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Your Asthma
- 10 Tips For Coping With Asthma
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What Is Asthma- Frequently Asked Questions
Patients often ask a number of different questions related to asthma. Maybe these will help you. If not ask your own question and see it get answered.
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What Is Your Biggest Asthma Problem?
We want to help you get control of your asthma. I want to hear about your biggest asthma problem so that we can try to help you develop a solution or better understand how to help.? You are probably not the only one with the problem. Take a few minutes describing your problem so we can develop a solution together.
Learn More About Your Asthma
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Sources:
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Consumer Information Sheet. Accessed: January 1, 2008. Asthma Statistics
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed: January 1, 2008. Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma