What is Asthma ?
Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the
airways with reversible episodes of "spasm" and obstruction
caused by mucus plugs, mucousal swelling and/or muscle contraction.
The smooth muscle spasm (bronchospasm) can be a result of multiple
"triggers." The positive outcome is almost all asthma
can be controlled.
Most common in childhood, asthma effects
all age groups and has caused significant school absenteeism.
Even though asthma cannot be cured, it can almost always be controlled.
For this reason, the American Lung Association has chosen childhood
asthma as one of their top priorities.
In asthma, the normal airway function designed
to protect the lungs (muscle contraction, mucousal swelling and
mucus formation) becomes excessive. For reasons not entirely known,
the airways become abnormally sensitive to infection, weather,
exercise, irritants and allergens.
Inflammation of the airways is the common
finding in all asthma patients. This inflammation is produced
by allergy, viral respiratory infections, and airborne irritants.
The muscles tighten (bronchospasm) and
the mucosa begins to swell, which reduces the diameter of the
airways. At this point it is extremely difficult to move air in
and out of the lungs. Wheezing occurs, in addition, mucus production
is increased, sometimes forming sticky plugs in the bronchial
tubes.
Each individual suffers a different level
of severity. All children with asthma, however, do enjoy a reversal
of symptoms until something triggers the next episode.
