Do you Know what Asthma Is?
“What is asthma?” is one of the first questions that people ask after receiving their diagnosis of this chronic lung disease. In short, asthma is a disease which restricts the tiny air passageways in the lungs, making breathing difficult. A more in-depth answer to the question “What is asthma?” involves examining the inner structure of the lungs. When air enters the trachea, or windpipe, it moves into the lungs via two branching passageways known as bronchi. The lungs are lined with thousands of miniscule air passageways called bronchioles that measure just a few millimeters wide. An asthma attack occurs when an asthmatic is exposed to a certain external agent to which he or she is sensitive, known as an irritant. This irritant causes the bronchioles to contract, which narrows the airways and causes wheezing. The lining of the bronchi also becomes inflamed and makes breathing even more difficult. For a full picture diagram of this process, please view the “What is Asthma” article from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Some common irritants include pollution, smoke, exertion, cold, scents, allergens, chemical fumes, viruses, bacteria, and some medicines such as aspirin. The exact cause of asthma is unknown and experts still disagree about what predisposes a person to having the disease. Some factors that are associated with contracting asthma include having a family member who has asthma, smoking mothers, low birth weight, high exposure to traffic fumes, specific respiratory infections during childhood, and having little exposure to infections during early life (see the “Hygiene Hypothesis” under “What Causes Asthma?” after looking at the article “What is Asthma?”) Although there is currently no cure for asthma, there are many treatments available to help minimize symptoms; talk to a doctor to find the right options for yourself or your loved ones.