Airway constriction and inflammation are characteristic symptoms of asthma. Asthma may be due to a hypersensitive immune system that overreacts to allergens much like allergies.
With asthma, the immune system targets a harmless substance as if that substance pose danger to the individual. The immune system releases histamine which causes the airway constriction and inflammation.
Hypersensitive immune systems can be inherited. Inherited hypersensitivity of the immune system is called atopy. In families where there is atopy, there may be an extensive family history of eczema, allergies, and asthma.
An allergen or cold air that is inhaled can trigger an asthma attack. An asthma attack is simply an episode of asthma symptoms of airway constriction and inflammation.
Common asthma symptoms are wheezing, tightness in the chest, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath. Asthma medication corrects the inflammation and constriction thereby relieving the symptoms of asthma.
There are several different types of asthma. Once at the asthma that can interfere with sleep is referred to as nocturnal or nighttime asthma. Nocturnal asthma often causes coughing during the night which interferes with a person's ability to sleep.
Many people have asthma that is triggered by allergies. This type of asthma is sometimes referred to as allergic asthma. Allergies cause histamine to be released which triggers asthma symptoms.
One type of asthma causes a persistent, severe cough. The person often experiences no other asthma symptoms. This type of asthma is called cough-variant asthma.
One of the most common types of asthma is exercise-induced asthma. Exercise can cause the narrowing of the airway which triggers and wheezing and other asthma symptoms. People who have exercise-induced asthma may be prescribed an inhaler to use immediately before exercising.
People who have asthma and may have more severe symptoms at times when the airways may already be constricted or inflamed due to a cold or allergies. The physician may recommend that the person with asthma take additional asthma medication at times when they have a cold or allergies.
A doctor may prescribe an asthma medication to be taken daily to help prevent asthma attacks. The person may also have an inhaler to use when asthma symptoms occur.
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