Bronchial asthma: What is it?
The medical disorder known as bronchial asthma makes the lungs’ airways swell and narrow. This swelling causes the airway to generate too much mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe and causes coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Chronic illness makes it difficult to carry out daily tasks. Inhalers aid in preventing asthma episodes, and the condition is treatable. Any age or gender can be affected by bronchial asthma, which is largely influenced by environmental and inherited factors. Disease can be devastating if untreated, often taking lives. According to a recent survey, India reports more than 1 million instances per year.
Symptoms
The symptoms might differ from person to person and depend on the environment. A person may exhibit ongoing disease symptoms or intermittent symptoms that may arise periodically. The most typical asthma symptoms that can be used to identify the condition are:
- Sprinting, laughing, or chatting while having trouble breathing.
- Chest A tightness or pain.
- Breathing problems while sleeping, often known as sleep apnea.
- Wheezing or coughing (chest noise made while sleeping or lying down).
- Viral infection causes the common cold and flu.
Causes
Although the exact cause of bronchial asthma is unknown, environmental or genetic factors play a significant role in its development. The following factors can cause an asthma reaction:
- Exposure to elements that cause allergic reactions, such as pollen, dust, animal fur, sand, and germs.
- Pneumonia or a viral infection such as the cold or flu.
- Air Pollution, smoke, car exhaust, etc.
- Anxiety and stress.
- Asthma is brought on by exercise or physical exertion.
- Drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, beta-blockers, etc.
- GERD, often known as acid reflux, is a condition.
- Scents and perfumes.
- Weather, particularly abrupt temperature swings.
- Ingredients in food (like MSG).
Risks
The main risk factors are as follows:
- Family history of bronchial asthma in a parent or sibling.
- Susceptible to an allergic reaction, such as hay fever or atopic dermatitis.
- Habits that contribute to weight gain.
- Smoking or exposure to smoking.
- Exposure to irritants from hair sprays or perfumes, smog, or chemical fumes.
