Asthma

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Asthma is a lung condition that makes the primary airways—known as the bronchi—in the lungs swollen and inflamed all of the time. People who have asthma are more sensitive than other people to things inhaled from the environment, known as triggers. These triggers make the muscles in an asthma sufferer's lungs tighten, constricting the air passages and making breathing difficult. In addition, cells in the lungs produce more mucus in response to a trigger. The mucus clogs up the bronchial tubes, which contributes to breathing problems. The airways also swell and become inflamed with white blood cells. When the lungs react to a trigger, what's known as an "asthma attack" occurs. Wheezing, coughing and/or tightness in the chest and shortness of breath are all hallmark symptoms of a classic asthma attack. This lifelong condition can't be cured, but it can be controlled with the proper diagnosis and treatment.

The National Center for Health Statistics (a division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC) reported that 16.1 million American adults and 6.8 million children suffered from asthma in 2006. The condition is becoming more common and more severe across all age, sex, and racial groups.

Asthma typically develops during childhood. But many people develop the condition in adulthood, after age 20—known as adult onset asthma. Some individuals have their first asthma attack after age 50.

Who's At Risk?

Obesity significantly increases a person's risk of developing the condition. Heredity is also thought to play a role. Children of parents with asthma are at greater risk for developing the condition. Pollution, poor air quality in urban environments, poverty and lack of patient education are also factors contributing to rising asthma and asthma-related complication rates. People who have allergies are at an increased risk of developing asthma, and those raised in environments where they were exposed to cigarette smoke also have a much higher incidence of the condition.

Women and Asthma

Women may first develop asthma during or after pregnancy, though the condition may also improve during pregnancy. There is some evidence that asthma may be affected by hormonal changes during a woman's cycle and can be triggered prior to or during the menstrual period. Women are more likely than men to die from asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Researchers aren't sure why some people's airways are more sensitive to things in the environment. Asthma sufferers may have allergies to certain substances, known as allergens, which can trigger an attack. But, not all asthma sufferers have defined allergies.

Common Asthma Triggers

Common allergens include: dust mites, mold, pollen, cockroaches, and certain foods or chemicals commonly used in food processing. Contrary to popular belief, dog and cat fur don't cause allergies. Rather, a protein found in the pet's saliva, dander and urine causes allergies in some individuals, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAI). Other things can irritate the already-sensitive air passages of asthma or allergy sufferers. Common irritants include cigarette smoke, stress, cold air, exercise and pollution.

Controlling asthma includes short-term relief of symptoms and long-term strategies to prevent attacks from occurring. Medications and behavioral approaches, such as avoiding asthma triggers, for example, are both important to managing asthma successfully. Another critical part of asthma management is education and close consultation with your health care team. New medications are available, and older methods are being improved. Asthma symptoms that recur frequently, even when medication is taken regularly, can be a sign that a reassessment with a health care professional is necessary.