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Asthma is a lung disease caused by contraction of the small airways of the lungs, causing shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing and coughing.
Asthma is a very common disease: up to 6% of the population can be affected by asthma. This makes asthma one of the most common diseases in the Western society.
Although asthma is a disease known since long, people still die from asthma: in the United Kingdom up to 2000 people die from it every year. Considering the prevalence of asthma this is not a high number.
Asthma is much more common in children than in adults, which means that children can "grow out of it". This can only be a temporary effect though.
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Risk factors of Asthma include: passive smoking, atopic parents (atopy being a form of allergy) and maternal smoking during pregnancy.
First borns of small families seem to have a higher prevalence of asthma than other people.
Other factors may include increased exposure to allergens like cats, dust (mites) and molds, air pollution and others.
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Asthma can be triggered by exercise, smoke, allergens and viral infections.
Allergens that can cause asthma include dust (mites), pollens, fungi and animals (cats!). These allergens can also be related to the work environment causing 'occupational asthma'.
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A spirometry test or lung function test done by the GP or a specialist will confirm the diagnosis of asthma.
During a forced expiration in a device called a spirometer, the volume blown out in the first second will be less than 80% of the normal value during an asthma attack.
To exclude other diseases like COPD, the patient should be referred to a specialist for additional tests.
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Treatment of asthma typically consists of drugs taken by inhalation ('puffer').
Medications used in asthma are among others: beta2-agonists, anticholinergic agents and corticosteroids.
As asthma is often induces by allergens, avoidance of allergens will also be a part of treatment.
Asthmatics (like other people!) should not smoke and avoid passive smoking.
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