When you breathe, air passes through your nose and down your throat into your lungs. Inside your lungs are branching tubes called airways.Asthma is due to inflammation of the air passages in the lungs and affects the sensitivity of the nerve endings in the airways so they become easily irritated. In asthmatic attack, the lining of the passages swell causing the airways to narrow and reducing the flow of air in and out of the lungs.
When someone with Asthma breathes in a trigger, the insides of the airways make extra mucus and swell even more. This narrows the space for the air to move in and out of the lungs. The muscles that wrap around your airways can also tighten, making breathing even harder. When that happens, it’s called an asthma flare-up, asthma episode orasthma “attack”. A trigger could be a cold, the weather, or things in the environment, such as dust, chemicals, smoke and pet
The exact cause of Asthma is not known but we do know that these factors play an important role in the development of:
- Genetics. Asthma tends to runs in families. Genetics plays an important role in causing asthma.If your parents have asthma, then you are more likely to have asthma
- Allergies. Some people are more likely to develop allergies than others, especially if your mom or dad had allergies. Certain allergies are linked to people who get
- Respiratory Infections. As the lungs develop in infancy and early childhood, certain respiratory infections have been shown to cause inflammation and damage the lung tissue. The damage that is caused in infancy or early childhood can impact lung function
- Environment. Contact with allergens, certain irritants, or exposure to viral infections as an infant or in early childhood when the immune system in developing have been linked to developing Asthma. Irritants and air pollution may also play a significant role in adult-onset
- Obesity.
SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA
- shortness of breath
- cough (often worse at night)
- wheezing (high-pitched whistling sound)
Protecting Your Lungs
Don’t Smoke
Cigarette smoke can narrow the air passages and make breathing more difficult. Over time cigarette smoke destroys lung tissue, and may trigger changes that grow into cancer.
Avoid Exposure to Pollutants That Can Damage Your
Secondhand smoke, outdoor air pollution, chemicals in the home and workplace can all cause or worsen lung disease. Make you home and car smoke-free.
Prevent Infection
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Good oral hygiene can protect you from the germs in your mouth leading to infections. Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
Avoids crowds during the cold and flu
