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Asthma [az-muh] can be defined as a chronic disease characterized by an inflammation in the airways. The airways are responsible for carrying air in and out of the lungs, and the inflammation causes increased sensitivity. As such, this brings out allergies and irritations.
How does asthma work?
As shown in the video, the problem spurs from the bronchi being unable to carry all of the oxygen due to mucus and muscles pushing in the bronchi (air tubes), thus severely hampering the capacity of the tube. In turn, this does not allow the needed amount of oxygen to be taken in because the oxygen is then put into the blood stream by the alveoli so that it can be used. When wheezing and coughing, some of the common symptoms, occur, the body is trying to force the mucus out in attempt to open up the airways.
| Oxygen Intake | Bronchi Carrying Capacity | Alveoli Fed? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Standard | Near 100% | Yes |
| Asthmatic | Standard | Ranging from low to near 100% | No |
There is no cure for asthma, however there are many treatment options available. Prior to pursuing treatment options for asthma, it is essential that you are aware of the type of asthma you have. If you are unsure of this or if you have any questions concerning asthma, do not hesitate to immediately consult a trained medical professional. The various types of asthma include:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| allergic asthma | Triggered, or brought about, by an allergic reaction to allergens. |
| nonallergic asthma | Most commonly triggered by irritants in the air that you breathe, not allergens. |
| exercise-induced asthma | Brought about by exercise or physical activity, such as running and swimming. |
| nocturnal asthma | An individual with nocturnal asthma also has one or more of the other types of asthma. This type of asthma refers to asthma symptoms that seem worse during the nocturnal hours of the night, particularly between the hours of 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM. |
| occupational asthma | Triggered by exposure to a new substance in the workplace, such as chemicals. |
Three main factors which affect the risk of developing asthma are age, cigarette smoking, and living in an urban environment. Asthma is most common amongst those under eighteen years of age. Cigarette smoking is not favorable for the avoidance of asthma, as it can increase the risk of obtaining asthma as an adult. In the case of children, second-hand smoke can increase the risk of developing asthma just as adversely. Particularly in urban settings, the number of people who have asthma has sharply increased in the past twenty years. For more information on prevalence, see our Prevalence & Statistics page.
