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Asthma Information - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment of Asthma

What is Asthma ?

Asthma is a chronic (long-lasting) disease of the lungs and airways (bronchi) that affects 5 people in every 100. In children, this figure is higher and rising.

Asthma is characterised by attacks of breathlessness, tight chest, wheezing and coughing which are caused by the airways becoming narrowed and inflamed. Some people may have these symptoms all of the time and others may be normal between attacks.

Types of Asthma

There are serveal types of Asthma :

1. Child-onset asthma
2. Adult-onset asthma
3. Exercise-induced asthma
4. Cough-variant asthma
5. Occupational asthma
6. Nocturnal asthma

Causes of Asthma

The common Causes of Asthma :

Asthma is caused by inhaling an allergen that sets off the chain of biochemical and tissue changes leading to airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and wheezing.

Symptoms of Asthma

Some common Symptoms of Asthma :

• Increased shortness of breath.
• Disturbed sleep caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing.
• Chest tightness or pain.
• Chest colds a lot.
• Chronic or recurring.
• wheezing.

Treatment of Asthma

• Asthma is often treated with medication. Medication helps to both prevent flares and treat symptoms.
• The doctor may use a machine to test your child's breathing.
• A child with asthma can still be very active, if treated with the right medication.
• Make sure your child gets enough rest and eats healthy.
• Your doctor will probably want to know your family's history of asthma and allergies.
• If the doctor thinks that your child has asthma, your child will need a plan to control his symptoms and flares.