Definition |
Bronchial Asthma is the condition
of subjects with widespread narrowing of the bronchial airways, which
changes in severity over short periods of time (either spontaneously
or under treatment) and leads to cough, wheezing, and difficulty
in breathing.
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Cause |
May be precipitated by exposure to one or more of
a wide range of stimuli, including allergens, drugs (such as aspirin
and other NSAIDs and beta blockers), exertion, emotion, infections,
and air pollution.The onset of asthma is usually early in life and
in atopic subjects may be accompanied by other manifestations of
hypersensitivity, such as hay-fever and dermatitis; however the onset
may be delayed into adulthood or even middle or old age. |
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Effect (Symptoms) |
Treatment: is with bronchodilators, with or
without corticosteroids, usually administered via aerosol or dyr-powder
inhalers, or – if the condition is more severe – via
a nebulizer. Oral corticosteroids are reserved for patients who fail
to respond adequately to these measures. Severe asthmatic attacks
may need large doses of corticosteroids.Avoidance of known allergens,
especially the house dust mite, allergens arising from domestic pets,
and food additives, will help to reduce the frequency of attacks,
as will the discouragement of smoking. |
Note that Cardiac Asthma occurs in left ventricular
heart failure and must be distinguished from bronchial asthma, as the
treatment is quite different.
To read about other conditions visit the page about Diseases
and Disorders of the Respiratory System. |
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