Asthma

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Asthma is an inflammatory respiratory illness characterized by mild to severe difficulty in breathing. This is caused by constriction and swelling of the airways, along with an increase in secretions of mucus, which plugs up the smaller passages. As a result, air cannot get into or out of lungs as easily as it usually does. Wheezing results as air squeaks through the narrowed and inflamed air passages. An asthma attack can cause such shortness of breath and poor oxygen intake that person may need to be hospitalized.

Asthma can be triggered by a variety of things, including exposure to pollen, dust, features, molds, animal dander, pollution, cigarette smoke, or cold dry air, as well as upper respiratory infection, exercise, excitement, and stress. Sometimes a susceptible individual will develop an asthma attack for no apparent reason.

An asthma attack causes coughing, wheezing, an increased respiratory rate, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing. Early signs of an asthma attack can include an itchy throat, a change in breathing pattern, fatigue, paleness, nervousness, a runny nose, or moodiness. It is important to seek early treatment if you feel an asthma attack coming on. If you have any doubts as to your breathing, don't hesitate to call your doctor.

If you suffer from asthma , one simple way to monitor your breathing is with an instrument called a peak flow meter, available at many large drugstore and through medical supply-catalog. These are relatively inexpensive, simple-to-use devises that measure how much air pressure you can exert with a full exhalation. The meter's indicator can be use to compare how your air flow changes from day to day. By monitoring yourself in this way, you will have a more reliable means of determining whether your condition is getting better or worse. Your physician will help you determine what watch for.

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