Adult Asthma: What is Asthma?
According
to the
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma
& Immunology, approximately 20 million Americans are reported to suffer
from asthma. Asthma is a condition that affects the bronchial tubes or airways
of the lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways may be
inflamed.
In a normal
airway, the bands of muscle are relaxed and air moves freely. During an asthma
episode or "attack," there are three main changes that can stop air from
moving easily through the airways:
- The bands of muscle that surround the airways tighten
and make the airways narrow. This tightening is called bronchospasm.
- The lining of the airways becomes swollen or
inflamed.
- The cells that line the airways produce more mucus,
which is thicker than normal.
It is important to know which type(s) of asthma you have:
- Allergic asthma, triggered by allergens such as animal
dander, airborne pollens and molds, affects nearly 60 percent of people
living with asthma.
- Non-allergic asthma, caused by viral infections, certain
medications or irritants, affects approximately one-third of all asthma sufferers.
- Exercise-induced asthma is triggered by vigorous
physical activity. Exercise can trigger symptoms in up to 80 percent of all
asthma patients.
- Occupational asthma is caused by inhaling irritants found in the
workplace. Approximately 15 percent of all asthma cases in the United States are caused by a workplace environment.
- Nocturnal asthma, found in about 75 percent of all asthma
cases, occurs when a person is sleeping and typically worsens between
midnight and 4 a.m.
