What is Asthma?
Asthma is a common, long-term (chronic) illness of the lungs which inflames and narrows passages within the lungs and makes breathing difficult. Inflammation occurs naturally in the body as a defense mechanism used to protect us from things that the body perceives as harmful. In the case of someone with asthma, sometimes the inflammation itself becomes harmful.
When someone is experiencing breathing difficulties difficulties due to asthma, it is commonly referred to as an "attack." Symptoms of an asthma attack include wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and coughing. These symptoms can vary from mild to severe...even life threatening!
Other symptoms can include tightening of the skin around the ribs, drowsiness, rapid pulse, anxiety, sweating, and bluish tinge to the face and lips.
The following short video shows what happens inside the body during an Asthma attack.
When someone is experiencing breathing difficulties difficulties due to asthma, it is commonly referred to as an "attack." Symptoms of an asthma attack include wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and coughing. These symptoms can vary from mild to severe...even life threatening!
Other symptoms can include tightening of the skin around the ribs, drowsiness, rapid pulse, anxiety, sweating, and bluish tinge to the face and lips.
The following short video shows what happens inside the body during an Asthma attack.
How common is Asthma?
Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the world today. The CDC reports that asthma is on the rise, with about 25 million people in the United States with the disease. That amounts to about 8% of the population, or 1 out of every 12 people! Boys and African Americans are also more likely to suffer from asthma. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) claimed in 2010 that more than 300 million people are affected by asthma worldwide. It occurs for the first time at any age, even in adulthood, although it usually begins before the age of five.
It may also surprise you to learn about all the successful people who had or have asthma....
It may also surprise you to learn about all the successful people who had or have asthma....