Asthma is a common chronic lung disease that inflames
and narrows the airways due to reversible airflow obstruction causing recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when the
individual breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The
coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning. Asthma affects people
of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood (Martinez, 2007).
and narrows the airways due to reversible airflow obstruction causing recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound when the
individual breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The
coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning. Asthma affects people
of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood (Martinez, 2007).
According to Kelly and Fussell (2011), to understand
asthma, calls for knowledge on how the airways work. The airways are tubes that
carry air into and out of your lungs. People who have asthma have inflamed
airways. The inflammation makes the airways swollen and very sensitive. The
airways tend to react strongly to certain inhaled substances. When the airways
react, the muscles around them tighten. This narrows the airways, causing less
air to flow into the lungs. The swelling also can worsen, making the airways
even narrower. Cells in the airways might make more mucus than usual. The
resultant mucus is sticky, thick liquid that can further narrow the airways
(Thomas, Bruton, Moffat & Cleland, 2011).
asthma, calls for knowledge on how the airways work. The airways are tubes that
carry air into and out of your lungs. People who have asthma have inflamed
airways. The inflammation makes the airways swollen and very sensitive. The
airways tend to react strongly to certain inhaled substances. When the airways
react, the muscles around them tighten. This narrows the airways, causing less
air to flow into the lungs. The swelling also can worsen, making the airways
even narrower. Cells in the airways might make more mucus than usual. The
resultant mucus is sticky, thick liquid that can further narrow the airways
(Thomas, Bruton, Moffat & Cleland, 2011).
Sometimes asthma is mild and goes away on its
own or after minimal treatment with asthma medicine. Other times, it continues
to get worse. When more intense asthma occurs, the individual experience an
asthma attack referred to as flareups or exacerbations (Jindal, 2011).
own or after minimal treatment with asthma medicine. Other times, it continues
to get worse. When more intense asthma occurs, the individual experience an
asthma attack referred to as flareups or exacerbations (Jindal, 2011).
