Asthma is a disease of the lungs.  It is the inability to breathe giving the sensation of suffocation for the asthma sufferer and can, if not treated, kill the person who suffers from it.

             The lungs are composed of many different parts.  Inside of the lungs are little sacks called alveoli.  The air goes from the nose, to the lungs, to small air passages into the lungs and then to the alveoli.  When suffering an asthma attack, the alveoli, the air passages and the lungs constrict, keeping the air and carbon monoxide produced by breathing in and exhaling trapped within the lungs.  This response comes about when different allergens get into the lungs of an asthmatic.

             Some of the symptoms of an asthma attack may be the feeling that the chest is tight, mucus, whizzing and difficulty breathing.  The difficulty breathing may have the appearance of hyperventilating.  Which in a way and under the right conditions is synonymous with asthma.  The white cells delivered to the lungs by the immune system are supposed to go fight the enemy and destroy it.  In the lungs of an asthmatic these white cells do not go fight the enemy, instead they release histamine which will constrict the lungs, and its air passages, in an attempt to shield the lungs from any form of allergen being inhaled.

             Two of the major contributors to asthma are cockroaches and dust mites.  These two are found in the majority of homes and keeping them away from an asthmatic is of the utmost importance.  There are also other allergens that will cause an asthma attack.  Among them are pet dander, cigarette smoking, dust, mold, fungi, pollen, feathers, foods, air pollution, cold air, thunderstorms, emotions, excess of heat, stuffed animals, and a variety of exercises.  Even though the majority of these are the major culprits, consulting your physician about having allergy tests done is very important as this will determine what other factors may be causes for asthma.

             Asthma in children can be more devastating to the child’s mind, health, family and friends than to an adult.  Not only because their bodies are different and more fragile than adults but also because they do not have the same understanding than adults do.  Even though I have seen children who are better at taking care of themselves than adults and children that have more knowledge and understanding than adults on asthma and its causes, the effects of it on children still harder than on adults.

                 Now, if you believe that asthma is limited to adults, think again.  Asthma can be present in cats and dogs and unfortunately for our little friends, they cannot be treated as humans and if you suspect your cat or dog suffers from asthma, (one of the signs has the appearance of the cat attempting to pass a hair ball, without the usual result and dogs make sounds while attempting to breath).  Therefore, taking your pets to the veterinarian for regular check-ups is very important.

            Remember that an asthma attack that is not treated can lead to the demise of the sufferer.  Take care, asthma is a deadly disease.  If your coworkers and family do not take asthma seriously, find the information printed on a respected magazine, newspaper, etc. and stick it on the bulletin board at work or on the fridge at home.  When you are an asthma sufferer it is your responsibility to educate those who have no concept of what it is and does or do not know that asthma is not something simple as a sneeze.

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