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What is Asthma?
The lungs are made up of
progressively smaller airway branches. Bronchi (airway passages)
branch into smaller-diameter passages, called bronchioles.
These in turn branch into even smaller bronchioles. Oxygen
from the air is transported to the blood through the small,
thin terminal sacs (alveoli) at the end of the smallest final
branches of the airways. Waste products (carbon dioxide) from
the blood are also transported outside the body via the alveoli.
Asthma is the result of narrowing, inflammation or mucus plugging
of the bronchioles and bronchi. Small muscle bundles, surrounding
the bronchioles, can constrict, further narrowing the bronchioles.
If enough airway passges are narrowed or plugged, the asthmatic
feels short of breath and cannot move air in and out fast
enough to meet the needs of the body.
Symptoms
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Cough
Chest tightness
Heart racing
Rapid breathing
Sweating
Bluish skin color (cyanosis)
Cause
Allergy induced (pollens, dust, mites, molds, cigarette smoke,
etc.), Exercise induced, Bronchitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux,
Congestive Heart Failure, Stress, Cold air, Odors, Post-nasal
drip, Sinus infections, Weather changes, Aspirin, Nasal polyps
& aspirin together, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (e.g.,
ibuprofen), Aerolized pentamadine, Sulfites (additive to food
and wine)
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