Asthma At A Glance

about asthma

• Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (airways) that causes swelling and narrowing (constriction) of the airways. The bronchial narrowing is usually either totally or at least partially reversible with treatments.

• Asthma is now the most common chronic illness in children, affecting one in every 15.

• Asthma involves only the bronchial tubes and usually does not affect the air sacs or the lung tissue. The narrowing that occurs in asthma is caused by three major factors; inflammation, bronchospasm, and hyperreactivity.

• Allergy can play a role in some, but not all, asthma patients.

• Many factors can precipitate asthma attacks and are they are classified as either allergens or irritants.

• Symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and chest tightness.

• Asthma is usually diagnosed based on the presence of wheezing and confirmed with breathing tests.

• Chest x-rays are usually normal in asthma patients.

• Avoiding precipitating factors is important in the management of asthma.

• Medications can be used to reverse or prevent bronchospasm in patients with asthma.