Asthma
Asthma is a common disease that has an affect on many people. Asthma causes inflammation of bronchial tubes in the lungs, and results in breathing complications varying for each person. Asthma causes a narrowing and swelling of airways and as a result normal air movement in and out of the lungs is impeded. Asthma does not affect air sacs or lung tissue but only disturbs bronchial tubes.
There are three major factors that cause asthma attacks: inflammation, hypersensitivity, and muscle constriction (bronchospasm).
Inflammation
When exposed to particles in the air, usually some kind of allergen or irritant, bronchial tubes become red and swollen. The tubes can then be blocked by clumps of sticky mucus that is produced by the inflamed tissue. Inflammation cells gather at these clumps and cause tissue damage. Narrowing of the airways is increased as damaged cells are discarded into airways and breathing becomes difficult to the person.
Hyperactivity
Chronically inflamed bronchial tubes can be very sensitive to allergens or other irritants causing a state of heightened sensitivity known as hypersensitivity or bronchial hyperactivity (BHR). When allergens and irritants are triggered, hyperactivity may result in increased swelling and narrowing of the airways. Though bronchial hyperactivity can be found in many degrees and in many individuals, it is most commonly found with greater severity in asthmatics, as well as allergic individuals not diagnosed with asthma. While some may have severe BHR and chronic symptoms, asthmatics may also have mild BHR and no chronic symptoms.
Bronchospasm
Asthma attacks cause the muscles around bronchial tubes to constrict and tighten. This condition known as bronchospasm is caused by nerves in the bronchial tubes.
When one experiences an asthma attack the typical results range from shortness of breath, to wheezing and coughing. Because airflow to and from the lungs is hampered a person cannot breath heavily, exercise normally, and in some cases cannot breath normally doing everyday tasks. Those with asthma should consult a physician to keep the affects of asthma to a minimum. Various medications are available to control asthma, but no permanent cure has been found.
There are three major factors that cause asthma attacks: inflammation, hypersensitivity, and muscle constriction (bronchospasm).
Inflammation
When exposed to particles in the air, usually some kind of allergen or irritant, bronchial tubes become red and swollen. The tubes can then be blocked by clumps of sticky mucus that is produced by the inflamed tissue. Inflammation cells gather at these clumps and cause tissue damage. Narrowing of the airways is increased as damaged cells are discarded into airways and breathing becomes difficult to the person.
Hyperactivity
Chronically inflamed bronchial tubes can be very sensitive to allergens or other irritants causing a state of heightened sensitivity known as hypersensitivity or bronchial hyperactivity (BHR). When allergens and irritants are triggered, hyperactivity may result in increased swelling and narrowing of the airways. Though bronchial hyperactivity can be found in many degrees and in many individuals, it is most commonly found with greater severity in asthmatics, as well as allergic individuals not diagnosed with asthma. While some may have severe BHR and chronic symptoms, asthmatics may also have mild BHR and no chronic symptoms.
Bronchospasm
Asthma attacks cause the muscles around bronchial tubes to constrict and tighten. This condition known as bronchospasm is caused by nerves in the bronchial tubes.
When one experiences an asthma attack the typical results range from shortness of breath, to wheezing and coughing. Because airflow to and from the lungs is hampered a person cannot breath heavily, exercise normally, and in some cases cannot breath normally doing everyday tasks. Those with asthma should consult a physician to keep the affects of asthma to a minimum. Various medications are available to control asthma, but no permanent cure has been found.
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posted by OrbitMedical at 2:41 PM 
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