Asthma definition

Asthma is an inflammatory lung disease that can lead to mild to severe symptoms. In most cases, you can control your asthma by avoiding triggers, taking daily medications, and using other treatment options. But if your asthma doesn’t stay under control with any type of treatment, this means your asthma is severe. Severe asthma may also mean you need high doses of inhaled corticosteroids or long-term oral corticosteroids in addition to other daily medications. Some doctors have differing opinions on the definition of severe asthma. In 2010, the • untreated asthma • difficult-to-treat asthma • therapy-resistant asthma While severe asthma can be difficult to treat, it’s still possible to get it under control. Keep reading to learn the symptoms of severe asthma, signs of an attack, and treatments to manage your condition. The symptoms of severe asthma are similar to the symptoms of mild to moderate asthma. But severe asthma symptoms tend to be more intense, potentially life threatening, and difficult to control with asthma treatments. Signs and symptoms of severe asthma may include: • shortness of breath that continues to worsen • pain or tightness in your chest • cough that may be dry or with excess mucus • wheezing that persists after treatment Since severe asthma can sometimes be life threatening, make sure you know when to seek emergency medical care. If you have shortness of breath that occurs when doing simple physical activities or quickly gets worse, call 911 or go to ...

With the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of asthma in mind, healthcare providers can recommend strategies to either minimize or normalize the response, or prevent it from happening altogether. Given the variety of elements involved in these processes, your asthma management plan will very likely be multi-pronged. • • Mast cell stabilizers: These are medications for allergic asthma that reduce inflammation by preventing mast cells from releasing histamine and other inflammatory chemicals. • Leukotriene modifiers: These drugs prevent leukotrines from prompting bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation as part of the body's allergic response. • Lifestyle Asthma management isn't just about diligent use of your prescribed medications. Given the body's response to stimuli, it is also important to do what you can to prevent the cascade of events that occur after exposure by avoiding asthma triggers in the first place. The same goes for mitigating factors that can only worsen inflammation and bronchoconstriction. • • Being mindful of potential exposures and altering your day-to-day to avoid them as much as possible (for example, staying indoors when pollen counts are high) • Making your home environment asthma-friendly (e.g., eradicating mold, using allergen-proof bedding) • Making lifestyle choices that improve lung function, including following a healthful diet, exercising, and not smoking A Word From Verywell The nitty-gritty about what makes asthma come about may ultimately...

Healthlineonly shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: • Evaluate ingredients and composition:Do they have the potential to cause harm? • Fact-check all health claims:Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? • Assess the brand:Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. What happens during an acute exacerbation of asthma? Asthma is a chronic lung disease. It causes inflammation and narrowing of your airways. This can affect your airflow. The symptoms of asthma come and go. When symptoms flare up and get progressively worse, it can be called: • an exacerbation • an attack • an episode • a flare-up Your airways become swollen during an acute exacerbation. Your muscles contract and your Even if you’ve had exacerbations before and know what to do, it’s still a good idea to contact your doctor. An acute exacerbation of It’s important to develop an “asthma plan” for how to treat your symptoms. Work with your doctor to come up with a method for what to do when your symptoms flare up. The • • • • An exacerbation can pass quickly with or without medication. It can also last for many hours. The longer it goes on, the more likely it is to affect your ability to breathe. The s...

• Allergic asthma: Triggered by an allergen or allergens • Nonallergic asthma: Triggered by inhaled irritants, chemicals, a respiratory infection, cold weather, or tobacco smoke • Occupational asthma: Caused by inhaled chemicals or industrial dust in the workplace • Exercise-induced asthma: Triggered by exercise and physical exertion, especially when the air is dry Spirometry Spirometry is a type of lung function test that measures the overall health of your lungs. This test requires you to breathe into a device with different strengths and at different rates. It measures how much air you can move in and out of your lungs with each breath and how easily air moves through your respiratory system. Summary Bronchial asthma is a term that is used interchangeably with asthma. All types of asthma affect the tubes that bring air in and out of your lungs (bronchioles). In all types of asthma, an allergen, irritant, or other condition causes these bronchioles to swell and limits air movement. Your healthcare provider can help you A Word From Verywell Asthma is a lifelong condition that impacts your breathing. All types of asthma affect the bronchi, earning this condition the nickname "bronchial asthma." If asthma runs in your family or if you experience wheezing and other breathing problems in certain environments or after activities, talk to your healthcare provider about your asthma risk and how to best manage your condition. • MedlinePlus. • American College of Allergy Asthma an...

Asthma is a disease of diffuse airway inflammation caused by a variety of triggering stimuli resulting in partially or completely reversible bronchoconstriction. Symptoms and signs include dyspnea, chest tightness, cough, and wheezing. The diagnosis is based on history, physical examination, and pulmonary function tests. Treatment involves controlling triggering factors and drug therapy, most commonly with inhaled beta-2 agonists and inhaled corticosteroids. Prognosis is good with treatment. In the US, about 10,000 deaths occur annually as a result of asthma, and the mortality rate is declining ( Epidemiology references Asthma is a disease of diffuse airway inflammation caused by a variety of triggering stimuli resulting in partially or completely reversible bronchoconstriction. Symptoms and signs include dyspnea... read more ). However, the death rate is 2 to 3 times higher for Blacks than for Whites. The mortality rate is higher for adults than children and is especially high in adults over 65. Asthma is among the leading causes of hospitalization in children and is a leading cause of school absenteeism ( Epidemiology references Asthma is a disease of diffuse airway inflammation caused by a variety of triggering stimuli resulting in partially or completely reversible bronchoconstriction. Symptoms and signs include dyspnea... read more ). Asthma is estimated to cost the US $56 billion/year in medical care and lost productivity ( Epidemiology references Asthma is a disease...