What is asthma, and what causes it?
2 Answers
Asthma is a long term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. Causes for asthma may be a combination of complex and incompletely understood environmental and genetic interactions.
Explanation:
It is characterised by bronchospasm. There may be variable and recurring symptoms and reversible air flow obstructions.
Symptoms include episodic wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. It is also associated with exposure to indoor allergens like dust mites, molds and fragments of animal fur or feather.
Environmental factors include exposure to air pollution and allergens. Medications like aspirin and beta blockers are often considered as potential triggers.
Symptoms of asthma can be prevented by avoiding triggers such as allergens and irritants and by use of inhaled corticosteroids.
Onset of asthma before12 years of age is more likely due to genetic influence, while onset after 12 years of age is considered due to environmental influence.
Asthma is a respiratory tract disease.
Explanation:
Asthma makes the respiratory tract narrow causing inflammation. The narrowing of trachea can produce wheezing and breathlessness. Asthma attacks bronchus and bronchioles in the lungs. It causes contraction, swelling and inflammation of them and affects breathe.
Its causes are :
- Dust
- Smoke
- Extreme cold
- Lung problems
- Heart diseases
- Psychological factors
