Asthma is a chronic respiratory illness in which the airways become blocked or narrowed, resulting in breathing difficulty. It is caused by genetic and environmental factors. An asthma attack or episode results from an allergic, physical or viral trigger. Symptoms of an asthma attack can range from mild to life threatening and should be treated immediately or prior to onset.
Types
Types of asthma include exercise-induced asthma which is triggered by physical exertion or exercise, allergic-rhinitis that can be triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust and mold, cough-variant asthma, which is usually triggered by exercise and respiratory infections, and nighttime asthma where asthma symptoms are most common and dangerous during the night.
Identification
Symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and pressure or tightness in the chest.
Effects
Asthma can cause permanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes, and both oral and inhaled asthma medications can have side effects that should be discussed with your doctor.
Considerations
Know the factors that can increase chances of developing asthma such as family history, frequent respiratory infections, being exposed to certain chemicals, air pollution, exposure to secondhand smoke, having a low birth weight or being overweight.
Treatment
Asthma can be treated by learning to recognize symptoms of an asthma attack, controlling asthma triggers, taking medication as prescribed by a doctor and using a peak flow meter to measure lung function.
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