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Asthma is a respiratory disorder caused by the inflammation of the airways which carry oxygen in and out of the lungs. It is a chronic disease that affects people of all ages, right from the childhood. Asthma can be triggered by allergens like pollen grains and irritants like cigarette smoke etc.
Inflammation of the lungs is the main symptom of asthma. One of the very common early signs of asthma is wheezing. Wheezing is a high pitched whistle sound that is produced during breathing, when it is blocked either by inflammation or obstructed by any other cause. This whistle sound is produced either during inhalation or exhalation. Other symptoms of asthma include chest tightness, coughing and breath shortness.
Coughing is another sign of asthma which always occurs during the attack. It is accompanied by wheezing especially in children. Coughing may begin before or after wheezing in an individual. Coughing becomes severe during the nights and disturbs sleep. Compared to adults, coughing is persistent and severe in children. Apart from these, both adults and children experience chest tightness and it is a common sign of asthma. Children feeling chest tightness cannot express it precisely, they just say that something hurts in the chest unlike the adults.
Shortness of breath occurs in adults and children with asthma, this is due to the airway block in depth. This shortness of breath can lead to other interrelated difficulties like difficulty in talking and rapid breathing. Difficulty in talking can arise after exercising or after laughing or crying. While breathing rapidly, the ribs of children may be seen prominently as they inhale and exhale so hardly.
These symptoms of asthma can be triggered by allergens and irritants like cigar smoke, pollen grains, tobacco smoke, pet's fur, aspirin, dust mites etc. Asthma treatment includes medication for acute symptoms and for chronic asthma control. To control the acute symptoms fast acting medications like bronchodilators are prescribed and for chronic disease control, long term medications like glucocorticoids are prescribed.
Avoiding the allergens, irritants and pollutants and regular and proper medications can reduce the attack of asthma in both children and adults. In severe cases of asthma attack, there are other options are available apart from the short acting and long term medications. Asthma attacks are observed in people of different ages ranging from infants to octogenarians. The symptoms of asthma may be mild or severe regardless of age. The severity increases eventually. Severe attacks of asthma always need medical attention. Children are more prone to asthma attacks especially during nights. Taking special care of children or infants with asthma during nights may prevent further growth of the symptoms.
