What is Asthma?
History of Asthma
Asthma has been around for a long time. Hippocrates (460-357 BC), the Greek physician was the first person to describe asthma and the resulting conditions whereas Galen (130-201 BC), a Greco-Roman doctor was the first to define the causes of asthma.
Definition of Asthma
Asthma is defined as a chronic disease characterised by inflammation of the airway resulting in symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) an estimated 300 million people suffer from asthma, globally.
How asthma affects the lungs and airways?
The main airway or trachea is 2-3 cms wide. It branches into two parts near the lungs, known as bronchi, one leads to the left lung and the other to the right lung. The bronchus subdivides further and spreads out like the roots of a tree. The smallest tubes are hardly 1mm thick and are made of ring like structures that are capable of contracting and expanding. In case of asthmatic people the airway gets swollen and the tubes carrying oxygen contract so air cannot pass freely through them.
This gives rise to typical asthma symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath and persistent coughing. Moreover the inner linings of the bronchioles swell up and produce excess amounts of mucus which further blocks the tubes. In mild and moderate asthma cases this process occurs gradually and most asthma medicines work by opening the airways so that the person can resume normal breathing.
In some severe asthma attacks the airways get blocked in such a way that oxygen doesn’t reach the lungs. Severe asthma attacks can be fatal and patients may require immediate hospitalisation. Asthma not only prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs it also stops carbon dioxide from leaving the lungs. Carbon dioxide is poisonous for humans and if it is not expelled quickly can cause serious damage to the body.
What are the causes of Asthma?
The causes of asthma are various. Experts have divided the causes into two broad categories- environmental factors and genetic factors. So it is safe to assume that both external factors as well as genetic disposition of the person are responsible for asthma. It has been seen that there are certain common irritants that affect most asthmatic people such as cold, flu, exercise, pollution and perfumes.
There are certain specific irritants known as allergens that incite asthma but reaction to these allergens varies from person to person. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, molds, certain types of food items, reactions to drugs like aspirin and several NSAIDs. Moreover there is a high chance that asthmatic people will have allergic conditions like eczema and hay-fever. In fact a lot of research is still going on to find the exact cause of asthma.
Dust Mites
Dust Mites are one of the key causes of Asthma that can be tackled. Numerous academic studies have shown the relationship between the presence of dust mites and the occurrence of asthma. Houses that are covered in carpet and have a warm structure that holds in the heat are breeding grounds for the mites.
How to cure Asthma?
Unfortunately asthma cannot be cured completely, it is a chronic condition. Curing asthma is more about controlling it. Most treatments focus on:
- Controlling the inflammation and preventing chronic symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath.
- Easing attacks when they happen.
- Sleeping in asthma friendly hypoallergenic bedding materials such as pillow covers, mattress covers, duvet covers
Ireland’s Asthma Population
Ireland has the fourth highest amount per capita of asthma sufferers in the world. It typically affects 5% of adults and about one in five children. This is up from 4% of children in 1983 and represents a growing problem in Irish society.
According to Asthma Society UK in Northern Ireland, 182,000 people (1 in 10) are currently receiving treatment for asthma. Irish Bed linen is now becoming popular for the relief it provides those with asthma.
About the Author
Nigel Burns is the founder of www.mitex.ie
