Asthma

In this Article

• Myths, facts, and statistics about asthma
• What is asthma?
• From the past to the present
• The scope of the problem
• Normal bronchial tubes
• How does asthma affect breathing?
• The importance of inflammation
• Which triggers cause an asthma attack?
• The many faces of asthma
• Types: allergic (extrinsic) and nonallergic (intrinsic) asthma
• Typical symptoms and signs of asthma
• Acute asthma attack
• What medications are used in the treatment of asthma?
• Asthma At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Asthma - Effective Treatments

The many faces of asthma

The many potential triggers of asthma largely explain the different ways in which asthma can present. In most cases, the disease starts in early childhood from 2-6 years of age. In this age group, the cause of asthma is often linked to exposure to allergens, such as dust mites, tobacco smoke, and viral respiratory infections. In very young children, less than 2 years of age, asthma can be difficult to diagnose with certainty. Wheezing at this age often follows a viral infection and might disappear later, without ever leading to asthma. Asthma, however, can develop again in adulthood. Adult-onset asthma occurs more often in women, mostly middle-aged, and frequently follows a respiratory tract infection. The triggers in this group are usually nonallergic in nature.

Types: allergic (extrinsic) and nonallergic (intrinsic) asthma

Your doctor may refer to asthma as being "extrinsic" or "intrinsic." A better understanding of the nature of asthma can help explain the differences between them. Extrinsic, or allergic asthma, is more common (90% of all cases) and typically develops in childhood. Approximately 80% of children with asthma also have documented allergies. Typically, there is a family history of allergies. Additionally, other allergic conditions, such as nasal allergies or eczema, are often also present. Allergic asthma often goes into remission in early adulthood. However, in 75% of cases, the asthma reappears later.

Intrinsic asthma represents about 10% of all cases. It usually develops after the age of 30 and is not typically associated with allergies. Women are more frequently involved and many cases seem to follow a respiratory tract infection. The condition can be difficult to treat and symptoms are often chronic and year-round.

Typical symptoms and signs of asthma

The symptoms of asthma vary from person to person and in any individual from time to time. It is important to remember that many of these symptoms can be subtle and similar to those seen in other conditions. All of the symptoms mentioned below can be present in other respiratory, and sometimes, in heart conditions. This potential confusion makes identifying the settings in which the symptoms occur and diagnostic testing very important in recognizing this disorder.

The following are the four major recognized asthma symptoms:

• Shortness of breath, especially with exertion or at night



• Wheezing is a whistling or hissing sound when breathing out



• Coughing may be chronic, is usually worse at night and early morning, and may occur after exercise or when exposed to cold, dry air



• Chest tightness may occur with or without the above symptoms

Asthma fact

Asthma is classified according to the frequency and severity of symptoms, or "attacks," and the results of pulmonary (lung) function tests.

• 30% of affected patients have mild, intermittent (less than two episodes a week) symptoms of asthma with normal breathing tests



• 30% have mild, persistent (two or mores episodes a week) symptoms of asthma with normal or abnormal breathing tests



• 40% have moderate or severe, persistent (daily or continuous) symptoms of asthma with abnormal breathing tests

Asthma - Effective Treatments

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What kinds of treatments have been effective for your asthma?

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