Asthma is a chronic pulmonary disease characterized by reversible airway obstruction,airway inflammation and increased responsiveness to variety of stimuli.
In asthma there is periodic attack of breathless due to reversible increase in resistance to airflow through the airways within the lungs
Causes of Asthma are grouped into three categories that includes 1.unclear 2.genetic predisposition 3.environmental factors
There are factors that implicate in development of asthma which may be 1.childhood infection. 2.allergen exposure. 3.dietary deficiency of antioxidants 4.exposure to pets in early life. 5.indoor pollution.
Signs and symptoms of asthma includes episodes of cough mainly dry/ non productive cough,wheeze this is a sound produced while breathing to patients with asthma,chest tightness and difficult in breathing
Usually airway obstruction due to asthma is very often worse at night and in early morning that's why the symptoms of asthma are worse at night and early morning. NB: There is no fever in asthma unless it is supper infection.
When you notice out the sign and symptoms it is very important to seek for help at health center/hospital since when asthma is in severe form can lead to further problems.
Management of asthma is based on two forms where are pharmacological and non pharmacological, in non pharmacological is the best where as the patient has to avoid all the causes of asthma as mentioned on the causes above such as all allergen and trigger factors.
In pharmacological here depends with the severity of the patient where's there are multiple drug of choices such as 1.Oxygen 4-6Litres per min this is given to maintain oxygen saturation above 92% in adults becomes a normal flow. 2.inhaled bronchodilator, this is a short acting and they are mostly administered via a nebulizer driven by oxygen but deliver multiple doses of salbutamol via metered dose inhaler through a space device provides equivalent. 3.systemic corticosteroids,these are used to reduce inflammatory response and hasten the resolution of exacerbations,and they should be administered to all patients experiencing acute severe attack, they can be administered orally such as Prednisone but intravenous hydrocortisone may be given in patient who are vomiting or unable to swallow. 4.Intravenous fluid, many patients are dehydrated due to high insensible water loss and probably benefits from these , amount of fluids required not less than 2L in 24hours.
So it so very important to attend to hospital since people does not know the sign and symptoms end up staying at home and thinking of other traditional believes. So work up and go to hospital for further management when you notice out the symptoms.
Wheezing is the most common symptom of an asthma attack. Wheezing is a musical, whistling, or hissing sound with breathing. Wheezes are most often heard during exhalation, but they can occur during breathing in (inhaling). Not all asthmatics wheeze, and not all people who wheeze are asthmatics.