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Asthma

Asthma is a type of chronic respiratory disease of the airways of the lungs. The victims of this disease face difficulty in breathing and sometimes make them physically inactive. According to the latest research of WHO, out of total deaths in the world, 0.89 % of deaths occur due to Asthma in Bahrain. This number depicts clearly that asthma is a prevalent disease in Bahrain. According to the human respiratory system, human beings breathe in oxygen air through nostrils and the air travels to the lungs, airways, small air passages. And in return carbon dioxide is expelled out of the lungs via the same route. But in Asthma, the lining of the airways and the muscles swell and tighten. Due to this condition, the amount of air reaching the lungs is reduced. Thus, making the breathing difficult for the patient.

Types of Asthma

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  Allergic asthma:
   Also known as extrinsic asthma. This type of asthma mostly triggers due to allergens that might include food, mold, pollen, dust, and pets dander from animals like cats and dogs.
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  Nonallergic asthma: Also known as intrinsic asthma. Caused due to irritants that might include burning wood and cigarette smoke, cold air, air pollution, viral illness, air fresheners, and perfumes etc.
  
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  Occupational asthma: This type of asthma is included by triggers in the workplace. Triggers include dust, dyes, gases and fumes, industrial chemicals, animal proteins, and rubber latex.
  
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  Nocturnal asthma: In this type of asthma, symptoms worsen at night. Triggers of this type of asthma can be heartburn, pet dander, and dust mites. Another trigger that might affect you is the body’s natural sleep cycle.
  

Causes of Asthma

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    Illness
    : Respiratory illness may cause Asthma.
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    Exercise
    : Increasing body movement may cause difficulty in breathing.
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    Irritants in the air:
    People having asthma may feel irritant to chemicals fumes.
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    Allergens: Example of these includes animal dander, dust mites, and pollens.
    
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    Extreme weather conditions:
    Extreme humid weather or low temperature.
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    Emotions: Shouting, laughing and crying may trigger an attack.
    

Asthma Symptoms

(Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash)

There are number of symptoms associated with asthma. It is important to note that all of these particular symptoms are not final. If you have any other symptoms, you must visit a doctor. Maybe your first indication of asthma is not actual asthma. However, here are some symptoms,

• Coughing, especially during the night, doing exercise or while laughing
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the chest
• Shortness of the breath
• Fatigueness

Asthma Diagnosis

• Health history
• Physical exam
• Breathing test

Treatment of Asthma

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  Rescue inhalers and nebulizers: Used with medicines and should fully be inhaled deep in the lungs.
  
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  Bronchodilators: Works to relax the tightened muscles in your lungs.
  
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  Anti-inflammatories:
  Targets the inflammation of your lungs.

Asthma Preventions

• Avoid triggers
• Reducing exposure to allergens
• Getting allergy shots
• Taking preventive medications.