Asthma is chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes severe cough, wheezing and breathlessness. Airways are a part of our respiratory system that includes small tubes called bronchi that further enters into lungs and divide into thinner and larger in no. of bronchioles. At the end of these bronchioles small sac- like structures called alveoli are found, it is the place where air exchange take place. Inflammations if left untreated can reach up to alveoli also and can worsen the condition of the patient.
For some people asthma is manageable but for some others it can convert into life threatening asthma attacks. When asthma attacks the bronchi becomes narrowed. This causes very less air to pass into the lungs. Cells of the airways make more mucus than usual and this result in thick liquid that further more prevents the air passage.
Asthma is more common in women than in men while it is counted as a most chronic childhood disease counting about 12.5% of the children.
What causes asthma?
The exact answer to this question still remains unknown. Researchers all over the world blame hereditary factors, stress, certain medications, allergy to some foods, air borne allergy, common cold, some kind of heavy physical activity and menstrual cycle in females for causing asthma.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
The common symptoms of asthma are:
- Coughing
- Sneezing or wheezing
- Pain or tightness in chest
These are the common symptoms one faces during asthma, but it is not necessary that all people face the same symptoms. In such cases it becomes very necessary to identify the early symptoms of asthma before they worsen. The early warning signs may include:
- Repeated coughs especially during the night
- Feeling tired or week during exercise
- Continuous changing moods
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble in sleeping
You should also be aware of the sudden asthma attacks so that you can take proper steps accordingly. Symptoms of an asthmatic attack are:
- Severe wheezing
- Tightened neck and chest muscles
- Severe chest pain
- Chocking
- Breathlessness
- Pale face
- Sweaty face and body
- Blue lips and fingers
- Inability to talk
- Rapid coughing etc.
The asthma attack case could become severe, hence it is very necessary to identify them and treat accordingly. You should keep your asthma inhaler or bronchodilator with you. The doctor prescribes the bronchodilators like Serevent Diskus. It is an inhaler Salmeterol Xinafoate as an active ingredient in it. Serevent Diskus 50mcg is manufactured by Glaxo Wellcome Pharma, a pharmaceutical giant. Its targeted action with minimal side effects makes it the most preferred drug.
Asthma in children:
Asthma is termed as a severe and common childhood problem in many infants. If left untreated this asthma could lead to severe respiratory disorders. You should observe your child very carefully to see any of the symptoms of asthma like:
- Child refuses to lie down
- Audible whizzing sound
- Irritated
- Rapid breathing
- Child using the extra muscles to breath-in air, the skin looks like as if it’s is being stretched inward. If you find this you are immediately required to take your child to the doctor.
In severe cases you may see the child’s face turn pale or bluish in color. You should contact the doctor and examine your child.
