Sachin Panayil
Period 3
Asthma, also known as bronchial asthma, is a condition in which a person’s airway
becomes inflamed, narrow and filled with mucus due to a reaction. This makes it difficult to
breathe for the patient. This disease is very common as over 3 million cases have been recorded
in the US alone. Asthma can be minor, or it can meddle with day by day life. Sometimes, it
might prompt a dangerous attack which could be life threatening. This is a very serious disease.
Causes of asthma have not yet been 100% confirmed, but it is most likely due to a
combination of environmental and genetic factors. There is a various list of asthma triggers
though: airborne substances, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander or particles of
cockroach waste, respiratory infections, such as the common cold, physical activity, cold air, air
pollutants and irritants, such as smoke, certain medications, including beta blockers, aspirin,
ibuprofen and naproxen, strong emotions and stress, sulfites and preservatives added to some
types of foods and beverages, including shrimp, dried fruit, processed potatoes, beer and wine,
and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acids back up into
your throat.
Symptoms of asthma vary but most of them are dangerous and should be taken seriously.
They are shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, trouble sleeping caused by shortness of
breath, coughing or wheezing, a whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling and coughing or
wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu. There are
also symptoms that may show that the condition is worsening. They are, asthma signs and
symptoms that are more frequent and bothersome, increasing difficulty breathing and they need
to use a quick-relief inhaler more often.
Quality of life can range from being chronic to rare. Chronic carriers and people who
have severe asthma must carry an inhaler always. An attack could hit them at any second of the
day and it could possibly kill them. They also avoid hard exercise as this is a common trigger.
People with rare asthma can be laxer about it. They can do exercise and other physical
demanding activities. But, they should always carry an inhaler as an attack could, again, kill
them. Long term effects of asthma do not cause a lot of problems, but the long-term effects of
asthma attacks could make a person’s life horrible. They must be very cautious in their day to
day life and must take certain medications in order to prevent dyspnea. Asthma can more often
than not be kept in check with emergency inhalers to treat symptoms, but steroids can also be
used to prevent long term symptoms. Serious cases may require longer-acting inhalers that keep
the airway open and additionally oral steroids. A list of medications for asthma are inhaled
corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, long-acting beta agonists, theophylline and Xolair. Cure
rates is excellent. New therapies are being discovered to help carriers.
In conclusion, asthma is a serious disease. It should be not taken lightly and if someone is
showing symptoms of this, they should immediately get tested. An inhaler is a necessity for
anyone who has this.
Bibliography:
-https://www.epa.gov/asthma
-https://www.verywellhealth.com/asthma-4014760
-https://www.everydayhealth.com/asthma/guide/