asthma causes / Asthma: causes, symptoms, remedies

Asthma: causes, symptoms, remedies
It is a chronic inflammation of the airways, in particular of the bronchi, which generates hypersensitivity.

What is that

It is a chronic inflammation of the airways, in particular of the bronchi, which generates hypersensitivity to a series of stimuli which leads, in turn, to the temporary obstruction of the bronchi and difficulty in breathing.

The airway obstruction is due to a bronchial muscle spasm, edema (swelling) of the airway mucosa and an increase in mucus secretion, which is also more often.
Causes

Most cases of asthma are due to an allergy to substances that may be inhaled. It can also arise following chronic exposure to irritants.

Viral and bacterial airway infections also appear to be the cause of the disease in some cases.

If you want to know more about the relationship between asthma and flu, read this article.

The asthmatic crisis can also be triggered by intense physical exertions, sudden changes in temperature and strong emotional stress.

Although rare, there is also a form of asthma, called idiopathic, whose origin is unknown.
Common symptoms

The main symptom is the difficulty in breathing (dyspnea), with wheezing. Breath is short and fast, and tachycardia and anxiety can also occur.

In the most severe cases during an attack, those suffering from asthma may not be able to pronounce more than a few words at a time and the skin may take on a pale bluish complexion (cyanosis).
Complications

If not properly controlled, asthma can gradually worsen. From a mild intermittent form it is possible to pass to the permanent mild form, then to the moderate form and then to the severe asthma.

Finally, we can arrive at the so-called asthmatic illness with serious, frequent and long crises that do not respond to the administration of antiasthmatic drugs.

Asthmatic subjects are at greater risk of emphysema. Although rarely, a particularly severe crisis can cause emphysema, pneumothorax, and pulmonary heart.
Treatment

Asthma usually requires continuous treatment, in order to avoid both serious crises and the worsening of the disease.

For allergic asthma, as for all allergies, it is good to avoid exposure to substances that can trigger seizures.

In case the triggering allergen has been precisely identified, desensitization therapy (vaccine) can be attempted.

To cope with an acute crisis, rapid action bronchodilators such as beta-agonists (salbutamol, terbutaline) are used as sprays. In some cases theophylline can be administered via the venous route.

To reduce the frequency of seizures, long-acting bronchodilators (such as salmeterol and formoterol) are used by inhalation, often in association with cortisones.

For the long-term control of the disease, drugs such as chromoglycate and leukotriene inhibitors (montelukast) are used, which do not act on the dilatation of the bronchi but on the cells that promote inflammation.

Oral or injective cortisone drugs are used only in the most severe cases and for limited periods because of their side effects.

If you want to know more about these drugs, read the Antiastmatic tab.
When to consult the doctor

In the presence of symptoms of asthma it is always good to contact your doctor because failure or inadequate treatment can lead to a worsening of the situation.