Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows peoples airways.
Everyone is different on how they get asthma, but some reasons include:

Pollen/dust/spores
Respiratory infections
Cold air
Air pollutants and irritants
Medications for example beta blockers, aspirin
Certain types of food such as shrimps, dried fruit, potatoes.

When the breathing airway is narrowed, it interferes with the normal movement of
air in and out of the lungs. Asthma involves bronchial tubes and only the bronchial
tubes. The narrowing of the airways is caused by three major factors: inflammation,
bronchospasm, and hyperreactiity.
Inflammation causes the bronchial tubes to become red, irritated, and swollen. The
inflammation increases the thickness of the wall of the bronchial tube and results in
a smaller passageway for the breathing airway. It occurs due to a response to
allergies, or chemical mediators. The inflamed tissues produces an excess amount
mucus into the bronchial tube and when enough is formed, it clogs the airways.
Bronchospasm is when the muscles around the bronchial tubes tighten during
attack of asthma. It causes the airway to narrow even more. It is caused by the
chemical mediators and can be brought on by inhaling cold and dry air.
Hyperreactivity is when the inflamed and constricted airways become extremely
sensitive which becomes easier to trigger.
Symptoms of Asthma include:

Wheezing
Tight chest
Difficulty breathing
Trouble sleeping

Wheezing is result from air being forced through the inflamed, constricted air
passages. As your airways become filled with mucus and constricted, it causes your
chest to tighten and have a hard time breathing.
There are many medications for asthma, but there isnt a cure that completely cures
the disease. Some of the long term medications include:

Inhaled corticosteroids. They are the most effective medications for

controlling asthma when taken regularly as they work continuously to reduce
swelling of the airway.
Inhalers. Inhalers contain long-acting beta agonist along with a
corticosteroid.
Leukotriene modifiers. They are medicines used to manage allergic
reactions and they work by blocking the action of leukotrienes.
 Theophylline. It is a daily pill that helps airway open by relaxing the
muscles.
Quick-relief medications are used for relief during an asthma attack. Some includes:

Short-acting beta agonists. The quick relief bronchodilators act within

minutes to ease symptoms during an asthma attack.
Ipratropium. It acts quickly to relax your airways making easier to breathe.

Allergy medications has a possibility of help if it is triggered by allergies.

Allergy shots. Receiving too many allergy shots reduce your immune
system, so you only receive it once in a while.
Omalizumab. It is injected every two to four weeks and acts by altering the
immune system.
One in every 13 people have asthma and is the leading chronic disease in children.
It causes more than 2 million emergency room visits every year. Every year,
approximately 250,000 people die each year from asthma. More children are
affected by adults, and females are more likely to get the disease than the males.
References:

Asthma Statistics | AAAAI

http://www.aaaai.org/about-aaaai/newsroom/asthma-statistics

Asthma Treatments and drugs

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/basics/treatment/con-20026992

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma/treatment

Asthma Causes
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/basics/causes/con-20026992