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Asthma
By Jane Keightley
Asthma is a very common disease which can start at any age, but is most common in children, affecting approximately 1 in 10. Asthma is caused by a narrowing of the bronchioles – these are the smallest of a series of tubes which carry air from your mouth to your lungs. The reasons for this narrowing of the bronchioles is that the mucus normally present in the tubes which protects the lungs from dirt and dust, builds up to such a level that it causes congestion of the bronchioles and they become inflamed. This in turn causes the muscles surrounding these small tubes to contract and narrow, in turn the flow of air is obstructed in and out of the lungs and the person becomes breathless. What and a feeling of tightness across the chest and coughing. The symptoms of asthma can vary in length and frequency from person to person as well as severity. Often symptoms are mild and can be controlled with inhalers but occasionally they may be severe for some people and can be fatal. Although it is know that asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways, it is not properly understood what causes the inflammation to happen. Asthma can be genetic but it doesn’t have to be and various triggers can set of an asthma attack. House dust is a common trigger as well as animals and occasionally certain foods. Strong smelling chemicals and smoky atmospheres can trigger attacks along with anxiety and stress. Asthma is diagnosed using either a peak flow meter which measures the speed of the air being expelled from the lungs, low readings often indicate asthma, but more accurately a spirometry test is carried out. This involves breathing into a machine that measures the volume and rate of the airflow in and out of the lungs. Although asthma can not be cured, attacks may be prevented. By finding out what triggers a particular persons attack can help them to avoid these triggers where possible. A number of drugs are also available to treat asthma, both in preventative for and to relieve the symptoms. Usually these drugs are administered by inhalation through an inhaler; however they may also be given in liquid form. The type of inhalers given and the frequency of there use is determined by the GP according to the individual patients symptoms. Treating asthma systemically by using inhalers can reduce the side effects of the drugs used. There are four main groups of drugs used to treat asthma; these are Bronchodilators, Corticosteroids, Cromoglicate and related therapy and Leukotriene receptor antagonists.
Bronchodilators do exactly what the name suggests; they open up the bronchioles and are there for used to relieve symptoms such as wheezing. They do not prevent attacks but give relief if an attack does occur.
Corticosteroids or steroids are used as a preventative treatment, they are often given in a daily dose and work by reducing the inflammation in the airways. By reducing the inflammation, the production of mucus and congestion are lessened. Corticosteroids do not help to relieve symptoms.
Cromoglicate and related therapy are, like corticosteroids, a preventative treatment which works by stabilising cells and preventing the release of inflammatory mediators within the body’s chemical production. This group of drugs can be effective if it is known that the asthma is associated with an allergy.
Leukotriene receptor antagonists work by blocking the action of cysteiny leikotrienes chemicals in the airways. This chemical group have an inflammatory action in the respiratory tract so by blocking them the inflammation can be reduced; Again these drugs are used as a preventative measure rather than to relieve symptoms. They are also the one drug which is given orally in tablet form, rather than delivered by an inhaler.
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Asthma UK homepage
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This intel was contributed by Jimbob
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May, 2012
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