Bronchial asthma
Alternative names:
asthma; intrinsic asthma; exercise induced asthma; allergic
asthma, status asthmaticus
Definition:
Bronchial asthma is a lung disorder characterized by periodic
attacks of wheezing shortness
of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Asthma is a disease in which inflammation of the airways
causes airflow into and out of the lungs to sometimes be restricted.
When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles of the bronchial
tree become tight and the lining of the air passages become
swollen, reducing airflow and producing the wheezing
sound. Mucus production is increased.
Most people with asthma have periodic wheezing attacks separated
by symptom-free periods. Some asthmatics have chronic shortness
of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath.
Asthma attacks can last minutes to days, and can become dangerous
if the airflow becomes severely restricted.
In sensitive individuals, asthma symptoms can be triggered
by inhaled allergens (allergy triggers) such as
pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, allergy
to mold, or pollens. Asthma symptoms can also be triggered
by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, tobacco smoke
and other pollutants, stress, food or drug allergies. Aspirin
and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS)
provoke asthma in some patients.
Bronchial asthma is found in 3-5% of adults and 7-10% of
children. Half of the people with asthma develop it before
age 10 and most develop it before age 30. Asthma symptoms
can decrease over time, especially in children.
Many people with bronchial asthma have an individual and/or
family history of allergies such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
or eczema. Others have
no history of allergies
or evidence of allergic problems.
Updated Date: 06/22/00
Updated by: Thomas O. Staiger, MD Assistant
Professor of Medicine Division of General Internal Medicine
University of Washington School of Medicine
|
