Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways of the reapiratory system, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. This narrowing is typically temporary and reversible, but in severe attacks, asthma may result in death.
Symptoms
- Cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production.
- Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or activity.
- Pulling in of the skin between the ribs when breathing (intercostal retractions)
- Wheezing
- Usually begins suddenly.
- Comes in episodes.
- May go away on its own.
- May be worse at night or in early morning.
- Gets worse when breathing in cold air.
- Gets worse with exercise.
- Gets worse with heartburn (reflux).
- Gets better when using drugs that open the airways (bronchodilators).
Emergency Symptoms
- Bluish color to the lips and face.
- Decreased level of alertness such as severe drowsiness or confusion, during an asthma attack.
- Extreme difficulty breathing.
- Rapid pulse.
- Severe anxiety due to shortness of breath.
- Sweating.
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
- Abnormal breathing pattern --breathing out takes more than twice as long as breathing in.
- Breathing temporarily stops.
- Chest pain.
- Nasal flaring.
- Tightness in the chest.
Treatment
There are two basic kinds of medication for the treatment of asthma:
- Long-acting medications to prevent attacks.
- Quick-relief medications for use during attacks.
Causes
Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swell. This reduces the amount of air that can pass by, and can lead to wheezing sounds.
Most people with asthma have wheezing attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some patients have long-term shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. In others, a cough may be the main symptom. Asthma attacks can last minutes to days and can become dangerous if the airflow becomes severely restricted.
In sensitive individuals, asthma symptoms can be triggered by breathing in allergy-causing substances (called allergens or triggers).
Common asthma triggers include:
- Animals (pet hair or dander).
- Dust.
- Changes in weather (most often cold weather).
- Chemicals in the air or in food .
- Exercise .
- Mold .
- Pollen.
- Respiratory infections, such as the common cold.
- Strong emotions (stress).
- Tobacco smoke.
There is no cure for asthma, although symptoms sometimes improve over time. With proper self management and medical treatment, most people with asthma can lead normal lives.
The complications of asthma can be severe. Some include:
- Death .
- Decreased ability to exercise and take part in other activities.
- Lack of sleep due to nighttime symptoms .
- Permanent changes in the function of the lungs.
- Persistent cough.
- Trouble breathing that requires breathing assistance (ventilator).
Resources
http://www.poandpo.com/s208/asthma_2v.jpg
Information
https://www.google.com/health/ref/Asthma
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761578829/Asthma.html
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3 comments:
Asthma can affect homoeostasis because it decreases the flow of oxygen to the brain and other vital body organs during a long and severe attack. Asthma is also surprisingly more common in athletes than anyone else.
With inflamatory in respitory system it would be harder to transport oxygen through the body therfore effecting homeostasis. Asmath can prevent someone from running long distances without losgin there breath. If one who has asmtha does not have there inhalier and cannot catch his breath he will then go into a asmtha attack, and thoes can be fatal.
if you have asthma, less oxygen is entering the cell and this messes up the balance, therefore messing up homeostasis
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