What is Asthma?
When you breathe, air passes through your nose and down your throat into your lungs. Inside your lungs are branching tubes called airways. With asthma, the airways are often swollen and red (or inflamed). This makes them extra sensitive to things that you are exposed to in the environment every day or asthma “triggers”. A trigger could be a cold, the weather, or things in the environment, such as dust, chemicals, smoke and pet dander.
When someone with asthma breathes in a trigger, the insides of the airways make extra mucus and swell even more. This narrows the space for the air to move in and out of the lungs. The muscles that wrap around your airways can also tighten, making breathing even harder. When that happens, it’s called an asthma flare-up, asthma episode or asthma “attack”.
Link to Genetics
It is widely accepted that asthma is a disease that can be inherited. However, the gene or genes that are involved are not clearly identified. It is believed that the genes linked to asthma involve the lungs and the immune system. It is well known that the atopic diseases - atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma - are commonly found in one form or another within families.
Childhood Development
The early months and years of a child's life are critical times during which a baby can develop or become susceptible to developing asthma. The abnormal development and growth of the lungs can increase a person's risk for developing asthma. Premature babies born with lungs not fully developed are more susceptible to colds and other respiratory infections. In some cases, an infection can cause inflammation and injure lung tissue. If the baby is exposed to second-hand smoke at this time, more damage to the lungs may occur and change how the lungs function.
Is Asthma Serious?
Yes. Asthma is a serious health problem. The good news is that it can be successfully treated. People with asthma can live normal, productive lives. It’s important to find a health care provider that you trust and feel comfortable visiting on a regular basis. Your health care provider will work with you to help you manage your disease. Without proper treatment, asthma can be extremely dangerous, even fatal. This is why it is essential to use a reliable machine such as the Omron MicroAir nebuliser or the Omron CompAir compressor nebuliser in order to ensure that you are providing the best and correct treatment available to control the illness.