Asthma Diseases and Conditions

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma affects people of all ages. Not all people who have asthma have the symptoms of wheezing, cough, chest tightness and shortness of breath. On the other hand, having these symptoms doesn't always mean that you have asthma.





A number of triggers can cause or worsen asthma. Some of the triggers are allergens found in dust, animal fur, cockroaches, mold, and pollens from trees, grasses, and flowers; medicines such as aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemicals or dust, and compounds in sprays; Sulfites present in foods and drinks; Viral upper respiratory infections; and health conditions such as runny nose, sinus infections, reflux disease, psychological stress, and sleep apnea.





The symptoms of asthma are recurring periods of wheezing, cough, chest tightness and shortness of breath. The conditions such as runny nose, sinus infections, reflux disease, psychological stress, and sleep apnea are related health conditions that can interfere or worsen asthma management. Cough often occurs at night or early in the morning. The types of asthma symptoms you have, how often they occur, and how severe they are may vary over time. Your symptoms may irritate you. They may be troublesome enough to limit your daily routine. Severe symptoms can threaten your life. It is very important to treat symptoms when you first notice them so that the symptoms don't become worse.





A lung function test, along with physical examination and medical history is the best way to diagnose asthma. Your doctor will make out e severity level of your asthma-that is, whether it is intermittent, mild, moderate, or severe. Your severity level will determine the treatment you must take. You need to consult an asthma specialist if you have life-threatening asthma attack, if you are in need of higher doses of medicine to control your asthma, or if you your asthma is uncontrollable with any medicines. Asthma in young children can be hard to diagnose. It is also difficult to tell whether a child has asthma or another childhood condition because the symptoms of both conditions can be similar.





Asthma is treated with two types of medicines: long-term control and quick-relief medicines. Long-term control medicines reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms. Most asthma patients need to take long-term control medicines daily to prevent asthma symptoms. They don't give you quick relief from symptoms. Inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred medicines for long-term control of asthma. If you have severe asthma, you may have to take corticosteroid pills or liquid for short periods. If taken for long periods, these medicines raise your risk for cataracts and osteoporosis .Other long-term control medicines include Inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists, Leukotriene modifiers, Theophylline, Cromolyn and nedocromil. Long-term control medicines can have side effects. Consult with your doctor about these side effects and ways to monitor or avoid them. Quick-relief medicines relieve asthma symptoms quickly. You should take your quick-relief medicine when you first notice your asthma symptoms. Carry your quick-relief inhaler with you at all times in case you need it. Quick-relief medicines don't reduce inflammation. Asthma medicines can be taken in pill form or as inhaler. An inhaler allows the medicine to go right to your lungs.


Asthma treatment can only control the disease. Good asthma control will prevent symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath, reduce the need for quick-relief medicines and prevent severe asthma attacks.





Though Asthma cannot be cured completely, most people who have asthma are able to manage the disease, live normal, active lives and sleep through the night without any interruption from asthma, with today's knowledge and treatments.

Kevin Moshayedi is an expert author, who is presently working on the site for


Diseases and Conditions. He has written many articles in various topics like Health Topics and medical reference .