Asthma
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Asthma is a disease in which inflammation of the airways
causes airflow into and out of the lungs to be restricted. The
muscles of the bronchial tree become tight and the lining of the air
passages swells, reducing airflow and producing the characteristic
wheezing sound. This is known as an asthma attack, which can occur as
an allergic reaction to an allergen or other substance (acute
asthma), or as a part of a complex disease cycle which may include
reaction to stress or exercise (chronic asthma).
Most people with asthma have periodic wheezing attacks
separated by symptom-free periods. Some asthmatics have chronic
shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath.
Other asthmatics may have cough as their predominant symptom. Asthma
attacks can last minutes to days, and can become dangerous if the
airflow becomes severely restricted
Many of the same substances that trigger allergies can also
trigger asthma. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, mold and
pet dander. Other asthma triggers include irritants like smoke,
pollution, fumes, cleaning chemicals, and sprays. Exercise-induced
asthma is distinct from allergic asthma in that it does not produce
long-term increase in airway activity...