Asthma

Asthma is a common lung disease that causes repeated bouts of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, especially at night or in the early morning. A person with asthma has difficulty breathing because of inflammation and narrowing of the airways.

What is going on in the body?

In a person with asthma, the airways narrow as a result of irritation and inflammation. During an asthma flare-up or "asthma attack," muscles of the airway tubes, or bronchi, tighten. The reaction in the lungs is out of proportion with the amount of stimulation experienced. The inflammation and tightening in the airways increases, trapping air in the lungs. The overreaction to the trigger causes excess mucus to form in the lungs. The person cannot take in a full breath and feels short of breath.

Sometimes the reaction to the trigger causes swelling throughout the entire bronchial tube. The opening in the center of the tube then becomes smaller, and breathing becomes more difficult. When the muscles relax, the bronchial tubes open wider. Asthma symptoms then resolve, and breathing becomes easier.

What are the causes and risks of the disease?

Asthma is caused by an immune system response. The immune system overreacts to triggers and causes the airways to become inflamed and tight. Often there are provoking factors, or triggers, that cause asthma symptoms. Triggers differ from person to person. Asthma triggers include:

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

Following are the main symptoms of asthma:

Some people have all of these asthma symptoms. Others have just a few or only one. Symptoms often get worse in the early morning and during the night.

How is the disease diagnosed?

Diagnosis of asthma begins with a medical history and physical exam. Pulmonary function tests are simple breathing tests that are often used to measure breathing limitations. Sometimes chest X-rays can show air trapped in the lungs.

Sometimes a person has symptoms of asthma, but shows normal results on pulmonary function tests. In this case, the healthcare provider may order a bronchoprovocation test. This type of test increases the demand on the lungs and may provoke symptoms of asthma. A medicine such as methacholine may be given to the individual to provoke symptoms. Alternately, the person may be asked to walk on a treadmill or do some other form of exercise. When the lungs are working their hardest, pulmonary function tests may then be able to detect airway problems.

What can be done to prevent the disease?

There are no immunizations or other treatments that can prevent asthma, but some measures can help to prevent flare-ups of asthma. Once an individual has been diagnosed with asthma, the healthcare provider will recommend a treatment plan. The plan usually includes identifying and avoiding any triggers and taking medicines. By following the treatment plan, an individual can minimize asthma flare-ups.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

Asthma is characterized by periodic flare-ups. Between flare-ups, many people will have a return to normal breathing. Over many years, this pattern can continue without the person getting dramatically worse. In some people, asthma flare-ups increase as they get older.

In people with more severe asthma, long-term inflammation can lead to permanent changes in the airways. This is called airway remodeling. The actual structure of the airway walls can change, causing blockage that can't be completely reversed with treatment.

Some children outgrow asthma. Sometimes symptoms stop and asthma disappears as they grow up.

What are the risks to others?

Asthma is not contagious and poses no risk to others.

What are the treatments for the disease?

Successful treatment of asthma involves two important factors:

Avoiding known irritants is key to controlling asthma. Avoid anything that one can see or smell in the air, especially cigarette smoke, dust, and strong chemical odors. Many people with asthma also have allergies. Allergic reactions can trigger an asthma flare-up. Avoiding things that cause the allergies, called allergens, is important. Controlling allergies with appropriate medicine or allergy shots can often improve asthma symptoms.

Medicines for treatment of asthma include both quick-relief and long-term-control medicines. The healthcare provider will prescribe the appropriate medicines for each individual. In general, the following principles are used:

Quick-relief medicines work within minutes. They prevent or help reduce the tightening of the muscles of the bronchial tubes. They are used when a person experiences an asthma attack or sudden shortness of breath. Short-acting beta-2 agonists, such as albuterol, are used for quick symptom relief. These medicines are usually taken through a metered dose inhaler or nebulizer.

Long-term-control medicines are taken on a regular basis to calm the airways and prevent symptoms. They are not effective for quick relief during an asthma attack. These medicines include:

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Short-acting beta-2 agonists and anticholinergics may cause the following side effects:

Corticosteroids have fewer side effects when given by inhaler than when they are taken orally. Side effects may include:

Long-acting beta-2 agonists may cause the following side effects:

Leukotriene modifiers may cause:

Methylxanthines may cause:

Cromolyn and nedocromil may cause:

What happens after treatment for the disease?

Effective treatment of asthma reduces inflammation and tightening of the airways, lowering the frequency of asthma attacks. Successful treatment allows people with asthma to enjoy life without significant breathing problems.

How is the disease monitored?

A person with asthma can monitor breathing at home with a device called a peak flow meter. Some people use peak flow meters every day and keep a record in their asthma diary. Airway changes show up on a peak flow meter before symptoms are even felt. Following the treatment plan at this time will often prevent an asthma attack from getting any worse.

Periodic pulmonary function testing can help guide the healthcare provider in prescribing medicines. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.

Author:Nina Sherak, MS, CHES
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:09/18/01
Reviewer:Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:09/18/01