First and foremost asthma is a disease of the lungs. Specifically it is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the bronchial tubes which are the airways within the lungs. It has the effect of making these airways really sensitive to irritants, and this in turn leads to a difficulty in breathing. It is a chronic condition affecting both adults and children in most western countries.

There is no cure for asthma. Fortunately though it can be controlled thus lessening the severity and frequency of attacks and most patients can lead an active life.

Asthma sufferers need to be aware of the problem and take steps to deal with it. Knowing what sets an attack off and trying to avoid or minimise these factors will lessen the symptoms. Also make sure to take any medication as prescribed by your doctor.In this way you can prevent serious symptoms and lead a normal life. On the other hand if you do not take steps to control it, it can have serious consequences in every area of your daily activities, and lead to a lesser quality of life.

In asthma sufferers the airways in the lungs are extra sensitive or hyper-responsive. When the symptoms begin to get more severe, the condition is called an asthma attack. What happens is that muscles around the bronchial tubes contract, and this narrows the airway openings so that the flow of air is restricted. In other words less air can flow through the airways than previously. The airways then become progressively inflamed and even more swollen and narrow. An excess of mucus is then produced narrowing the airways even further. All of this causes the classic symptoms of asthma. It simply means that it is difficult for air to travel in and out of the lungs and the oxygen levels in the blood decrease as a result.

Some attacks are worse than others. A severe asthma attack leads to the airways becoming so constricted that not enough oxygen gets to vital organs. This condition is a medical emergency. People can die from a severe asthma attack. During the attack a sufferer may have a sensation similar to drowning.

Asthma can affect anyone, at any age, anywhere, and unfortunately the numbers worldwide are increasing. Conditions in the environment such as air pollution, processed foods, and centrally heated, double-glazed houses are believed to contribute to the problem.

During an asthma attack a sufferer experiences tightness in the chest, a wheezing or whistling noise, coughing, breathlessness, and difficulty breathing because the airways have become narrowed, inflamed, and blocked by mucus.

It can also happen quite quickly, but warning signs can help you recognise an imminent attack. Symptoms such as an itchy nose or itchy skin, dizziness or light-headedness, or an irritating cough.

Heeding the warning signs can help a sufferer to take preventive action, such as medication, thus lessening the severity of the attack.

Being a chronic condition, attacks can occur over long periods of time. But there can also be long periods when a patient will suffer few, if any, symptoms. It should be noted that children may grow out of asthma but that it can recur again as they get older.

For the most part though it can be controlled, and it is important to recognise what can trigger an attack and take your medication as early as possible to help weaken the symptoms. The good news though is that it is possible to lead an active and healthy life and take part in all sporting and physical activities.

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