You Can Get Relief from Asthma Now 

Asthma
Bronchial Asthma

Asthma often is considered to be chronic disease of the respiratory system in which the airway from time to time constricts, becomes inflamed, and yucky mucus, often from triggers. These Asthma episodes may be triggered by environmental stimulant, cold air, exercise or exertion, or stress. In children, the most common triggers are as simple as a cold. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Between episodes, most asthma patients feel okay. Asthma is sometimes treated with bronchodilators.

The symptoms of asthma, which can range from mild to life threatening, can usually be controlled with a combination of drugs, environmental changes, stress reduction and sometimes herbs

News headlines are popping up on asthma because of its rapidly increasing frequency, touching up to one in four urban children.

History

The word “asthma” comes from a Greek aazein, meaning "sharp breath." The word first appears in Homer's Iliad Hippocrates was the first to use it in reference to the medical condition, in 450 BC.

Bernardino Ramazzini noted a connection between asthma and organic dust. The use of bronchodilators started in 1901, but it was not until the 1960s that the inflammatory component of asthma was recognized, and anti-inflammatory medications were added to the regimen.

Signs and symptoms of asthma

In some folks asthma is characterized by chronic respiratory impairment. In others it is an intermittent illness marked by episodic symptoms that may result from a number of triggering events, including upper respiratory infection, stress, airborne allergens, or exercise.


Signs of an asthmatic episode include wheezing, rapid breathing (tachypnea), prolonged expiration, a rapid heart rate (tachycardia), rhonchous lung sounds (audible through a stethoscope), and over-inflation of the chest. During a serious asthma attack, the accessory muscles of respiration (sternocleidomastoid and scalene muscles of the neck) may be used, shown as in-drawing of tissues between the ribs and above the sternum and clavicles, and the presence of a paradoxical pulse (a pulse that is weaker during inhalation and stronger during exhalation).

During very severe attacks, an asthma sufferer can turn blue from lack of oxygen, and can experience chest pain or even loss of consciousness. Just before loss of consciousness, there is a chance that the patient will feel numbness in the limbs and palms may start to sweat. Feet may become icy cold. Severe asthma attacks may lead to respiratory arrest and death. Despite the severity of symptoms during an asthmatic episode, between attacks an asthmatic may show few signs of the disease.

Diagnosis

In most cases, a physician can diagnose asthma on the basis of typical findings in a patient's clinical history and examination. Asthma is strongly suspected if a patient suffers from eczema or other allergic conditions—suggesting a general atopic constitution—or has a family history of asthma. While measurement of airway function is possible for adults, most new cases are diagnosed in children who are unable to perform such tests. Diagnosis in children is based on a careful compilation and analysis of the patient's medical history and subsequent improvement with an inhaled bronchodilator medication. In adults, diagnosis can be made with a peak flow meter (which tests airway restriction), looking at both the diurnal variation and any reversibility following inhaled bronchodilator medication.