Asthma symptoms, treatment and cure - By: Govindan

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a lung disease. It causes problems to the breathing passage of our lungs also known as bronchioles. It is caused due to chronic, long term and ongoing inflammation of the lung passage. The lung passage also called airways of the affected person become very sensitive to the triggers.

The inflammation is caused or triggered due to various internal and external factors that fills the passage with mucus and also swells it. The muscles contract and narrow the passage making it difficult to breathe. This resistance of exhaling finally leads to symptoms of a typical asthma attack.

Since the disease causes obstruction to the air being exhaled, it is known as an obstructive lung disease. The medical term for this is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also known as COPD. COPD includes other diseases as well.

Asthma is a disease that you shall have to live with during your everyday life and there is possibility of being exposed to the triggers. Asthma is a reversible disease unlike the other chronic lung diseases. Asthma cannot be ever totally cured but you may always keep it under control.

If the disease is diagnosed at the right time and the treatment is started right away then there is a better chance of controlling the disease. If there is a proper treatment then the attacks shall be lesser and not even very severe. If there is no treatment then the attacks will be so severe that it may even lead to death.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms include cough which may be accompanied with phlegm production, pulling in of the skin while breathing and shortness of breath which worsens with activity or exercise. Wheezing also is possible that begins suddenly, happens in episodes and gets worse with breathing and exercise.

What is the treatment?

Asthma is a chronic disease and the treatment shall go on for a long time. For some it may extend forever and the best way is to live to take proper care with the help of right consultation. The goal of the treatment is to prevent the syndrome and to avoid the attacks.

In the treatment the medications used are inhalants instead of oral medications like liquid or tablet. Inhaled medications work directly on the surface and muscles of the airway where the problem initiates. The side effects are very few as the absorption in the rest of the body is minimal.

The medicines are beta-2, agonists, anticholinergics and corticosteroids. Oral medications are aminophyline, beta-2 agonists and antagonists. Adrenaline is one of the medications used for the medication of asthma but it has side-effects.

Is there a cure?

Asthma has no cure but symptoms can improve over time. With the right medical treatment and self management people suffering from asthma can lead a perfectly normal life.

What are the possible complications?

The complications attached with asthma are of a severe nature. They may include persistent cough, breathing troubles that may require assistance in the form of ventilators, lack of sleep because of nighttime symptoms, decrease in the ability to take part in activities like exercises and permanent alterations in lung functions. In severe cases it may also result in death.

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