Asthma Definition Causes Symptoms Diagnosis And Medication Of Asthama

Definition:

Asthma is a disease affecting the airways that carry air to and from lungs. People who suffer from this chronic condition (long-lasting or recurrent) are said to be asthmatic.The inside walls of an asthmatic's airways are swollen or inflamed. This swelling or inflammation makes the airways extremely sensitive to irritations and increases susceptibility to an allergic reaction.As inflammation causes the airways to become narrower, less air can pass through them, both to and from the lungs.  Asthma is Incurable disease.

Causes Asthma:

The exact cause of asthma isn't known. Researchers think some genetic and environmental factors interact to cause asthma. These factors include:

• An inherited tendency to develop allergies, called atopy.
• Parents who have asthma.
• Certain respiratory infections during childhood.
• Contact with some airborne allergens or exposure to some viral infections in infancy or in early childhood when the immune system is developing. 

Symptoms:

• Coughin
• Wheezing (a hissing sound while breathing)
• Chest tightness
• Breathing problems( Shortness of breath.) 

 Causes of Asthma Symptoms To Occur:

Many things can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms.  Triggers can include:

• Allergens from dust, animal fur, cockroaches, mold, and pollens from trees, grasses, and flowers
• Irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemicals or dust in the workplace, compounds in home décor products, and sprays (such as hairspray).
• Medicines such as aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nonselective beta-blockers
• Sulfites in foods and drinks
• Viral upper respiratory infections, such as colds
• Physical activity, including exercise

Diagnosis:

• Allergy testing to find out which allergens affect .
• A test to measure how sensitive airways are. This is called a bronchoprovocation (brong-KO-prav-eh-KA-shun) test. Using spirometry, this test repeatedly measures  lung function during physical activity or after  receive increasing doses of cold air or a special chemical to breathe in.
• A chest x ray or an EKG (electrocardiogram). These tests will help find out whether a foreign object in airways.

Medication Of Asthama:

Medications used to treat asthma are divided into two general classes: quick-relief medications used to treat acute symptoms; and long-term control medications used to prevent further exacerbation.

• Short acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonists (SABA), such as salbutamol are the first line treatment for asthma symptoms.
• Anticholinergic medications, such as ipratropium bromide, provide additional benefit when used in combination with SABA in those with moderate or severe symptoms.Anticholinergic bronchodilators can also be used if a person cannot tolerate a SABA
• Older, less selective adrenergic agonists, such as inhaled epinephrine, have similar efficacy to SABAs.
• Glucocorticoids are generally considered the most effective treatment available for long term control.Inhaled forms are usually used except in the case of severe persistent disease, in which oral steroids may be needed.It is usually recommended that inhaled formulations be used once or twice daily, depending on the severity of symptoms.
• Long acting beta-adrenoceptor agonists (LABA) have at least a 12-hour effect. The FDA has issued a public health advisory recommending that these drugs should not be used without an accompanying steroid due to an increased risk of severe symptoms, including severe exacerbation of asthma in both children and adults.
• Leukotriene antagonists (such as zafirlukast) are an alternative to inhaled glucocorticoids, but are usually not preferred. They may also be used in addition to inhaled glucocorticoids but in this role are second line to LABA.
• Mast cell stabilizers (such as cromolyn sodium) are another non-preferred alternative to glucocorticoids.
• Medications are typically provided as metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) in combination with an asthma spacer or as a dry powder inhaler. The spacer is a plastic cylinder that mixes the medication with air, making it easier to receive a full dose of the drug. A nebulizer may also be used. Nebulizers and spacers are equally effective in those with mild to moderate symptoms however insufficient evidence is available to determine whether or not a difference exists in those severe symptomatology.

When asthma is unresponsive to usual medications, other options are available for both emergency management and prevention of flareups. For emergency management other options include:

• Oxygen is used to alleviate hypoxia if saturations fall below 92%.
• Magnesium sulfate intravenous treatment has been shown to provide a bronchodilating effect when used in addition to other treatment in severe acute asthma attacks.
• Heliox, a mixture of helium and oxygen, may also be considered in severe unresponsive cases.
• Intravenous salbutamol is not supported by available evidence and is thus used only in extreme cases.
• Methylxanthines (such as theophylline) were once widely used, but do not add significantly to the effects of inhaled beta-agonists.
• The dissociative anesthetic ketamine is theoretically useful if intubation and mechanical ventilation is needed in people who are approaching respiratory arrest.