Diseases affecting the respiratory tract are common in damp, cold and drastically varying climates. The respiratory tract consists of a branching network of air passages starting with the nose, into the lungs and ending up in the tiny air sacs. This branching network of air passages is readily susceptible to inflammation because its large surface area is constantly exposed to the generally polluted air that we breathe.
Bronchial Asthma is a reversible obstruction of the airways. Changes in the immune defence system and in the control of the diameter of the airways are probably responsible for attacks of wheezing. Asthmatic attacks are characterized by the narrowing of the large and small airways due to spasm of the muscles of the bronchial tubes, oedema and inflammation in the inner lining of the airways and the production of mucus.
Symptoms of Asthma:
- Breathlessness: People with asthma frequently feel out of breath, especially after exerting themselves physically or after being exposed to triggers.
- Wheezing: When air passes through constricted airways, it makes a high-pitched whistling sound. It is a typical asthma symptom.
- Coughing: Coughing caused by asthma may be dry or productive. It can linger and get worse at night or in the morning.
- Chest Tightness: Many asthmatics experience a tightness or pressure in their chest. The discomfort associated with this symptom can be moderate or it can be very severe.
Manifestation of Asthma:
The severity and frequency of asthma symptoms can vary. While some people may only have occasional, minor symptoms, others can have more severe, frequent bouts.
Exacerbations, also known as attacks, are times when the symptoms of asthma drastically worsen and make breathing more difficult. There’s a chance that these attacks need urgent medical care.
Everyday tasks, sleep, and general quality of life can all be affected by Asthma. Working with medical specialists to effectively manage their illnesses is crucial for people with Asthma.
Asthma may often go unnoticed though there is little difficulty in identifying the child with a history of wide spread Eczema and a family history of other allergic disorders, who suffers from recurrent wheezing. Yet, many children with persistent coughs, particularly at night and wheezing episodes are regarded as suffering from Bronchitis triggered by infections of the airways.
That persistent Bronchitis may lead to Asthma is not difficult to understand. The diagnosis of Asthma should be considered in any individual who wheezes. Asthma is the most likely diagnosis, when the typical bouts of wheezing start in childhood or early adulthood and are interspersed with intervals without wheezing. In addition, more than 50 percent of Asthmatics have a family history of allergy or Asthma. And most of those who inherit Asthma usually develop symptoms early in life – in association with Rhinitis and Eczema.
