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| TYPES OF ASTHMA |  |
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in which sufferers have repeated attacks of difficulty in breathing and coughing. There seems to be an increase in the amount of asthma all over the world, especially in children. To understand what happens in attacks it is helpful to visualise the basic structure of the airway tubes of the lung (bronchi).
The main airway (windpipe, trachea) of the body is about 2-3cm across. It divides into its main branches (bronchi), which lead to the right and left lung, which divide further, like the branches of a tree, to supply air to all parts of the lungs. The smallest tubes (bronchioles) are only millimetres wide and they are made up of ring-shaped muscles that are capable of contracting or relaxing. Anything that makes them contract will narrow the passages, which makes it more difficult for the air to pass through and also gives rise to the characteristic wheezy noise. tend to be sensitive to various types of irritants in the atmosphere which can trigger this contraction response from the bronchial muscles.
The bronchi also have an inner lining that becomes , which makes the lining swell and produce an excess amount of the mucus (phlegm) which it normally makes. All of these processes contribute to the airway narrowing and the treatment for is aimed at reversing them as much as possible.
People of all ages get asthma but 50 per cent of sufferers are children, mostly boys, under 10. Among adults, women are more likely to develop than men.
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by external agents, such as irritants in the atmosphere which are breathed in, or by internal reactions within the body that have been caused by an external influence. The kinds of provoking factors can be divided into two groups:
 non-specific factors: all are affected by a number of things that are referred to as irritants. They include exertion, cold, smoke, scents and pollution.
specific factors: these are irritant or in the form of pollen, dust, animal fur, mould and some kinds of food. A virus or bacteria, chemical fumes and other substances at the workplace and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) may also cause asthma.
To , people seem to need to have been born with a predisposition to the disease. It may not reveal itself until they have been exposed to some asthma irritants. Smoking mothers, low birth weight, a lack of exposure to infection in early life and traffic fumes have all been associated with the . Less draughty houses resulting in a higher concentration of house dust mites and cooking gases may also be part of the problem. Currently, a great deal of research looking for the genes that allow asthma to develop is being carried out. But until we can prevent asthma, we have to suppress the symptoms and try to avoid the triggers where possible.
What might trigger acute asthma attacks?
Exertion.
Cold.
Smoke.
Air pollution including exposure to certain chemicals. An example is isocynates which are used in some painting and plastics industries.
Airway infection.
Allergies, eg to pollens, house dust mites, domestic animals (especially cats), aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.
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Alternative Names
- occupational exposure; Byssinosis - work-aggravated asthma; Irritant-induced reactive airways disease.
Definitions
A lung disorder characterized by attacks of breathing difficulty, wheezing, prolonged exhalation, and cough, which is caused by various agents found in the work place (see also bronchial asthma). These symptoms are usually due to spasms of the muscles lining the airways, which cause them to narrow excessively.
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There are many agents in the workplace that can cause occupational . Most commonly, these include protein molecules (wood dust, grain dust, animal dander, fungi) or other chemicals (especially di-isocyanates). Though the actual rate of occurrence of occupational is unknown, it is suspected to cause between 2 and 20 percent of all cases of nations.
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Alternative Names
Definitions
in which narrowing of the passages from the lungs to the nose and mouth (airways) leads to difficulty breathing. These changes commonly occur in response to changes in the environment including weather, allergens (such as dog or cat dander, mold, or dust), foods, or respiratory infections (colds).
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system. It is commonly found in children, although it can also occur in adults. Among children, asthma is a leading cause of hospitalization, chronic disease, and school absenteeism.
In people with , the airways that run from the nasal cavity down to the lungs are overly sensitive. is the excessive response of these airways to a "trigger" such as dust in the air. It consists of swelling and inflammation of the airways, and reversible tightening of the tiny muscles that surround the airways (bronchospasm). In severe cases of asthma, damage to the lungs can accumulate over time, resulting in permanent narrowing of the airways.
may be able to breathe normally most of the time. When they encounter a trigger, however, an attack (exacerbation) can occur. Below is a list of common asthma triggers.
dust
pollen
exercise
viral infections, such as the common cold
animals (hair or dander)
chemicals in the air or in food
mold
changes in weather (frequently cold weather)
strong emotions
aspirin and other medications.
In recent years, there has been a worldwide increase in the number of . This trend has been linked to environmental factors, including air pollution. However, it is important to understand that indoor triggers can play just as much of a role as outdoor triggers in bringing on an
Children's airways are narrower than those of adults. This means that triggers that may cause only a slight response in an adult can be much more serious in children. In children, it can appear suddenly with severe symptoms. For this reason, it is important that asthma be diagnosed and treated correctly. For some children, this may mean taking daily medication even during times when the child is not having symptoms of
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During an , people may have difficulty breathing and may begin to breathe very fast. They may also feel short of breath, even at rest. The child with asthma may need to use the muscles around the chest to help with breathing. Wheezing and coughing are also important signs that can occur during an attack, or even when a child is feeling well. A persistent night-time cough is one common sign of , even in children without other symptoms.
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