The Causes of Asthma
The causes of asthma are not clear, not even to the specialists, but once it is installed allergic and irritating factors that bother the lungs produce attacks. Any kind of respiratory problem, such as a simple cold may generate an asthma attacks, and so can dust, pollen , feathers or the smoke of a cigarette.
There are three changes that take place inside the lungs during an attack of asthma:
- - The airways inflame
- - The muscle inside the airwaves contracts itself
- - There mucus is produced and it changes consistence, by becoming more thick and sticky. This mucus obstructs the airwaves.
An attack can take place out of nothing or prepare for several days. There are severe, mild and moderate attacks.
These moderate and mild asthma episodes:
These attacks happen more often than the several ones, and they start with chest tightness, followed by coughing or expectoration. Then a feeling of anxiety takes over the person and insomnia appears. Breath is wheezing, because the tubes are obstructed.
In case there are such episodes, a person must take the asthma medicine immediately and, if it doesn't work to call immediately a doctor.
The severe episodes
In case of this kind of attacks, a person loses breath and has speaking difficulties. The muscles of the neck contract in the process of breathing. The person becomes cyanotic and, in the case of children, the skin from the chest is sucked in. The peak flow drops under 50% of your personal best.
Emergency measures for severe attacks:
- - Medicines must be immediately taken and you must see a doctor urgently
- - Don't wait! These attacks can be fatal
- - Immediately call or visit a doctor or go to the emergency room
The second episode
The attacks of asthma may be tricky: an episode seems to be gone, while the respiratory system prepares another that can be much more dangerous than the previous.
The inflammation continues during the second wave, even if the symptoms disappear, and breath difficulties appear. This wave may take days and even an extreme sensitivity.
The second wave may require hospitalization; so that qualified health personnel help you reduce the inflammation of your airways and relax the contracted muscles.
What shouldn't you do in case of asthma episodes?
- - Don't use cough medicines for asthma
- - Don't use another medication except for the one prescribed by the doctor.