Outline
Introduction
Lung diseases are a very common issue in our world today that need to be given more importance, due to the great role our lungs play within our bodies. If our lungs fail to function we fail to survive. Asthma is a chronic lung disease which has no cure. However, if the symptoms that arise with this disease are not managed it leads to life threatening impacts. This condition targets over 260 million people worldwide and over half a million people lose their lives each year battling this illness.
What Happens In This Disease?
If an individual suffers from Asthma it causes their airways to narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. The airways of our lungs are surrounded by muscles and contain mucous glands. These muscles are normally relaxed, but if you have asthma, these muscles tend to be sensitive and inflamed, which can lead to breathing difficulties, trigger coughing, wheezing when you breathe out, and shortness of breath.
Different Forms of Asthma
There are various different types of asthma but the most common form is bronchial asthma, affecting the bronchi in the lungs.
This type of asthma is further separated into allergic and non-allergic asthma.
Allergic
The symptoms that arise due to allergic asthma are often initially present in early childhood and adolescence, and are triggered by an allergic reaction, causing the organism of the affected person to react more intensely to an often harmless substance.
Non-allergic
Non-allergic asthma also known as intrinsic asthma are often initially present in one's adulthood and is caused by a variety of factors. This form of asthma may be triggered due to respiratory tract infections, a genetic incompatibility with certain medications or chemical or toxic substances from the environment
Additional common forms of asthma include child-hood asthma, and adult-onset asthma. In adult-onset asthma symptoms do not occur till at least age 20.
What Causes Asthma?
At this time no single cause has been identified for asthma. However, research has identified that the condition arises due to a variety of hereditary and environmental factors which include:
Genetics: If the condition is found in one’s family history they are more likely to develop the illness as genetics play a huge role. In fact, more than 30 genes have been linked to asthma so far, and genetic differences are also seen to play a role in how one's body responds to treatment.
History of viral infections: Individuals that have a history of severe viral infections during childhood tend to be more likely to develop the condition.
Allergies: individuals with allergies are more likely to develop certain types of asthma especially ones which affect the eyes and nose.
Premature birth: Children who are born premature have a higher risk of developing asthma in the future.
Air Quality: living in an environment that has unhygienic air quality, lots of smoking, pollution are all linked to an increased risk of asthma.
Common Symptoms
Various symptoms can be seen with individuals diagnosed with this illness, as the symptoms tend to vary from person to person. The most common symptom of asthma is wheezing, a squealing or whistling sound made when you breathe (Holland, 2020). Other common symptoms of the illness include:
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness or pain
Coughing (especially at night)
Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus
What Happens If Asthma Is Left Untreated?
Unfortunately asthma is an illness that research has yet to find a cure for. However, it is crucial that it be controlled with the correct medications and lifestyle changes to prevent complications that may arise in the future.
If asthma is left untreated or poorly managed it can lead to airway remodeling, a serious condition in which the lungs become scarred. In this condition less air is able to move through an individual's airway, and asthma medications don’t work well.
Sources
Holland, Kimberly. “What to Know About Asthma.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 28 May 2020, www.healthline.com/health/asthma.
“Understanding Asthma.” Asthma Canada, 10 Feb. 2021, asthma.ca/get-help/understanding-asthma.
“Understanding Asthma.” Asthma Canada, 10 Feb. 2021, asthma.ca/get-help/understanding-asthma.
“Lung Health & Diseases.” American Lung Association, www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases.
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