Lung illness asthma, commonly known as bronchial asthma, damages your lungs. It is a chronic (continuing) condition, which means that it requires ongoing medical care.

More than 25 million Americans today suffer with asthma. More than 5 million youngsters are included in this total. If you don’t get treatment for your asthma, it could be fatal.

The muscles that surround your airways relax when you breathe regularly, allowing air to pass through them silently and effortlessly. There are three possible outcomes during an asthma attack

Bronchospasm: The muscles surrounding the airways tighten. Your airways become more congested when they tighten. Constrictions in the airways prevent the free passage of air.

Mucus production: During the attack, your body creates more mucus. This thick mucus clogs airway.

When your airways become more constrictive, you wheeze, which is a sound your airways make when you exhale. An asthma episode may also be referred to as an exacerbation or a flare-up. It is a term used to describe asthma that is not under control.

 Symptoms

People who have asthma typically exhibit clear symptoms. Many respiratory illnesses have symptoms and indications similar to these ones:

• Pressure, soreness, or tightness in the chest.
• Cramps (particularly at night).
• Breathing difficulties.

Not every flare-up of asthma will cause you to experience all of these symptoms. With persistent asthma, you may have various indications and symptoms at various periods. Between asthma attacks, symptoms might also alter.

 CAUSES

Allergies: Having allergies can raise your risk of developing asthma.

Environmental factors: After being exposed to items that irritate the airways, people can acquire asthma. Allergens, poisons, gases, and second- or third-hand smoke are some of these things. These can be particularly dangerous for babies and young children whose immune systems are still maturing.

Genetics: You run a higher chance of contracting the illness if asthma or other allergy illnesses run in your family.

Respiratory infections: The growing lungs of young infants can be harmed by several respiratory diseases, like the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Dust mites: These insects are in our homes even though you can’t see them. An asthma episode may result from a dust mite allergy.

Strong chemicals or smells: These things can trigger attacks in some people.

Certain occupational exposures: At work, you could be exposed to a variety of items, such as cleaning supplies, flour or wood dust, or other chemicals. If you have asthma, any one of them may be a trigger.

Pests: Cockroaches, mice and other household pests can cause asthma attack.

Pets: Your pets can cause asthma attacks. If you’re allergic to pet dander (dried skin flakes), breathing in the dander can irritate your airways.

Mold: Damp places can spawn mold, which can cause problems if you have asthma. You don’t even have to be allergic to mold to have an attack.

PREVENTION

You must ascertain what causes an attack. You may be able to prevent an attack by avoiding the triggers. However, you cannot stop yourself from developing asthma.