What Is Asthma?

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is considered to be a long term (chronic) lung disease which narrows and inflames the airway. Millions of people of all ages and genders are known to be affected with this ailment across the globe. This ailment is also said to contribute towards untimely deaths. It develops mainly during childhood. 


Symptoms
People suffering from this ailment show symptoms like wheezing, breathing problems, allergies to strong smells and dust, coughing, chest tightness, etc. Although the reasons why Asthma develops have not yet been confirmed, there are cited environmental and genetic factors which contribute towards this condition. Symptoms might differ from one person to another along with its intensity. 

Classification
It is classified into two major types, namely, intrinsic or non-atopic and extrinsic or atopic. Aggravation by allergens is what mainly causes the symptoms to develop. People suffering from intrinsic type are not aggravated or induced by external allergens, while those having extrinsic asthma suffer from wheezing attacks once they come across the allergens inducing inflammation or causing allergy. 

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Causes
There are cited several conditions which are known to cause this ailment. 

• Family history: If someone in the family has been suffering from this ailment then most likely it is passed on through the bloodline.

 

• Early childhood lung disease: Preterm children or babies develop lung infections and tend to have sensitive airways that inflames very easily, thereby causing attacks. 

 

• There may be plenty of allergens in the locality that might cause allergens to the airways, thus causing inflammation or aggravation. 

 

• Attacks may develop when coming face to face with animal dander.

 

• Passive or active smoking: Whether you smoke or are around smokers can have a big impact on whether you suffer from asthma or not. 

Therefore, Asthma is chronic condition which affects the lungs. People deviling this ailment tend to have this condition in their body. However, asthmatic attacks tend to occur only if certain elements ‘triggers’ and initiate it. Moreover, this particular condition is yet to have a proper and thorough cure. Triggers are to be avoided and Asthma Treatment should be started at the very earliest time possible once it is diagnosed. Only then can it be controlled and ensured that it does not become chronic in nature.

Conclusion

1 in 12 people have Asthma as it’s one of the most common lung diseases in the world. 

Severe Asthma can get to a point where your lungs may stop functioning and you may need a lung transplant. 
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Did you know that lung transplants have the lowest survival rate among all transplants? Only about 50% of people live 5 years after having a lung transplant and patients have to take up to 50 pills a day!

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We need your help in increasing the survival rate and helping lung transplant patients so please join the 200+ donors who have raised over $40,000 and donate what you think is fair to help lung patients everywhere.

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