How and Why Bronchial Asthma Occurs.
Bronchial asthma is a condition wherein the patient has difficulty in breathing and experiences shortness of breath. Asthma is a greek word meaning panting. An asthma attack is seen in acute bronchial asthma. The cause of bronchial asthma is an auto immune response of the body to an allergen, which has come in contact with the body. Basically, it is an allergic reaction. To understand allergy and its causes , you could refer to“ What is allergy? What are the causes of allergy?”
Stats for Bronchial Asthma.
In the western world, 1 in 13 adults and 1 in 8 children suffer from bronchial asthma.
Why and How Bronchial Asthma occurs?| Bronchial Pathophysiology.
Due to the auto immune response of the body to an allergen, the following happen:
- The walls of the airway in the lungs (bronchi and bronchioles) thicken due to the inflammation of the over developed mucus glands, which secrete more mucus.
- Tightening of the smooth muscles of the airways causing them to narrow (broncho constriction)
- Edema and swelling due to the inflammation of the bronchi and the bronchioles.
All the above factors cause narrowing of the airways to the lungs causing obstruction to the airflow and difficulty in breathing.
Picture of Bronchial Asthma Pathophysiology.
What Causes Bronchial Asthma:
Bronchial asthma attacks are triggered by exposure to certain elements. These vary from person to person, but the common substances which trigger an acute bronchial asthma attack are mentioned. There is evidence of a familial tendency of bronchial asthma or a hereditary trait to bronchial asthma. First degree relatives of asthmatic patients have a higher prevalence of bronchial asthma. So, if your parent has bronchial asthma, you should take precautionary measures, which are explained under Treatment and prevention of Bronchial Asthma.
- Exposure to certain pollutants in the environment.
- Exposure to cold and humid climates. Incidences of asthmatic attacks are more during the rainy and cold climates.
- Inhalation of certain incense aromas, smoke, cigarette smoke, etc.
- Drugs such as Beta blockers, antibiotics, aspirin,.
- Mental stress
- Common allergens are pollen, animal dander, dust, mold, smoke.
- Certain foods which commonly trigger bronchial asthmatic attacks are sea foods like shellfish, crabs, lobster, peanuts and eggs.
- Certain bacterial and viral respiratory tract infections.
- Exercise can also trigger a bronchial asthma attack.
Next: Symptoms, Signs and Complications of Bronchial Asthma.
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