Asthma

Asthma is a lung disease that causes obstruction of the airways. During an asthma attack, spasms in the muscles surrounding the bronchi (small airways in the lungs) constrict, impeding the outward passage of air. Asthma sufferers often describe this plight as “starving for air”. Typical symptoms of an asthma attack are coughing, wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing. An attack can last for a few minutes or several hours. The spasms characterizing an acute attack are not the cause of the disorder, but a result of chronic inflammation and hypersensitivity of the airways to certain stimuli. An attack can be triggered if a susceptible individual is exposed to an allergen or irritants. There are two forms of asthma: allergic and nonallergic, although the two often occur together. Common asthma-provoking allergens include animal dander, chemicals, drugs, dust mites, environmental pollutants, feathers, food additives (such as sulfites), fumes, mold, and tobacco smoke. But any kind of allergen can precipitate an asthma attack. Factors that can trigger nonallergic asthma attacks include adrenal disorders, anxiety, temperature changes, exercie, extremes of dryness and humidity, fear, laughing, low blood sugar, and stress.