Asthma: A Chronic Illness

Asthma is a drastic disease. It can affect a person in any age. Asthma is an allergic inflammation of the lungs. It can be caused by air pollutants, pollens, molds, dust, chemicals, foods or even changes in temperature. These causative agents produce allergens, which are then absorbed into the blood stream causing the B cells or white blood cells to produce billions of molecules of the antibody IgE. These IgE molecules are in the bloodstream and then they combines with the mast cells, which are used for lining the blood vessels or basophils, which are a type of white blood cell.

Mast cells and basophils both contain histamine and serotonin, and the antibody IgE causes the mast cells and basophils to remove the histamine and serotonin into the blood stream. In addition to this, the production of a group of fatty acids called lucotrienes or Lt's are the primary cause of asthma symptoms. Lt's are formed by the combination or action of two enzymes, phospholipase A2 and lipxygenase. When you experience an asthma attack, the walls of the lungs become inflamed and the mucus membranes fill with fluid and thick, sticky mucus making it difficult to breathe.

Symptoms:

1.) Common asthma symptoms are a scratchy throat, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and a tight feeling in the chest.
2.) An asthma attack can be mild, moderate or severe and lasting for a few minutes, hours, or even several days.
3.) Extreme difficulty in breathing, talking and walking,
4.) Your fingernails or lips are turning blue,
5.) Chest feels tight and your ribs are pulled inward as you breathe,
6.) Nostrils are flaring when you breath

From 1982 to 1994 the annual death rate from asthma rose 75% and is continuing to rise. Doctors and researchers agree that the single most important thing that parents can do to prevent their child from developing asthma in the first place is to eliminate or significantly reduce dust mite allergens in the home. Dust mite allergens are known to play a major role in asthma development. Researchers have determined that other important allergens also need to be eliminated from the home are cats, certain types of mold, dogs, cockroaches and tobacco smoke. Long term use of steroid drugs is not recommended by doctors and has serious side effects. Making these preventative environmental changes is a much more viable, healthy and preferable alternative.